The Best CPUs Under $200

It is AMD's current entry point for AM5 builds that plan a later CPU upgrade. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz).

On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 8600G at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 8600G, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 7600X and below the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing.

It clocks slightly higher than the 7600 but has no cooler in the box. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.3GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5700X comes in at 4.6GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 8600G on core count (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks fifth of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 5 8600G; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. On price it sat third of 8, between the cheaper Core i5-14400F and the pricier Ryzen 5 9600X, at the time of writing.

It is the entry point to Intel's current unlocked chips. Its 24MB L3 cache ranks fifth of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G (16MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks third of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (4.6GHz).

Nothing else here matches its 14 cores core count; the Core i5-14400F comes closest at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14400F and the Core Ultra 5 225F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 9600X uses an AM5 socket.

It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 5600X cost more.

It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks sixth of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (4.6GHz).

On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Ryzen 5 8600G has an AM5 socket instead. No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Core Ultra 5 225F, which has DDR5 memory.

It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Ryzen 5 7600X cost more.

It fits older B450 and B550 boards after a BIOS update. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on boost clock (4.6GHz).

On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 8600G at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 7 5700X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards.

It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 245KF and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 8600G cost more.

It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 5600X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz.

Its 8 cores core count ranks fourth of 8 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600X; the Ryzen 5 7600X goes with an AM5 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 5 5600X; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with DDR5 memory.

You also get PCIe 4.0 support. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 8600G.

It can run a PC without a graphics card until you buy one. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 32MB. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (4.6GHz).

On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 5600X at 6 cores. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5600X and below the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing.

It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. It matches the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 8 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (4.6GHz).

On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 9600X uses an AM5 socket.

It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. It cost the least of the 8 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14400F the next step up.