Buying Guide
The Best CPUs Under $250
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500F to the Core i5-14600KF, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $250 a CPU covers mid-range processors from both AMD and Intel for gaming and everyday work. Every processor cost 100 to 250 when we checked and lists its core count and socket.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
Intel Core i5-14600KF
The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
A 65W TDP.
Best for: Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab) |
| A 65W TDP. | Buyers who want 65W TDP. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Core i5-14600KF offers 5.3GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14600KF on rated power (125W). You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5500F and its an AM4 socket. DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 5700 uses DDR4 memory.
It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 5700X, based on our last check. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 5700. If that matters, the Ryzen 7 5700 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500F at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 24MB. Nothing else here matches its 5.3GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes closest at 5.2GHz.
You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5500F and its an AM4 socket. DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 5700 uses DDR4 memory. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier.
It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 7 5700X. If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W)
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700 is built around a 65W TDP, with a Wraith Spire cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 4.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on core count (8 cores). It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5500F on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500F; the Core i5-14600KF goes with an LGA1700 socket.
It also comes with a 65W TDP. 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500F and the pricier Core Ultra 5 245KF, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500F at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. Its 32MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes next at 24MB. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 on boost clock (4.6GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700 at 8 cores. Like the Ryzen 7 5700 and Ryzen 5 5500F, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support.
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 Core i5-14600KF cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 5700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 5700 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
Best for
- Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 5700X on rated power (65W).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700 and Ryzen 7 5700X; the Core i5-14600KF goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 7 5700 was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 7 5700X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and integrated graphics are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 5 5500F, state boost clock, core count and rated power.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 5700 gives no integrated graphics.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500F ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14600KF ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs Under $250
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 5.3GHz on the Core i5-14600KF, a 26% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 245KF is the runner-up at 5.2GHz.
Core count
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops core count at 14 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 6 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the pick for core count.
How much rated power you need
The Ryzen 7 5700 tops rated power at 65W and the Core i5-14600KF sits lowest at 125W; 3 picks share the top figure. If rated power is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 5700 sets the ceiling at 65W.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF lists DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700, the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5500F list DDR4. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600KF and the Ryzen 7 5700X go without; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it.
How to Choose a CPUs Under $250
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core Ultra 5 245KF | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Core i5-14600KF | The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz) |
| Buyers who want 65W TDP | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 7 5700X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money | Ryzen 5 5500F | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i5-14600KF leads on boost clock at 5.3GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 5.2GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 5500F, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core i5-14600KF at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700, Core Ultra 5 245KF, Ryzen 7 5700X, Core i5-14600KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core i5-14600KF or the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
Between the top two, it is 5.3GHz on the Core i5-14600KF against 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 2% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 245KF compare with the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 32MB, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 24MB. The Ryzen 7 5700 is at the other end of this group with 16MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F is left out of this ranking because its L3 cache isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core i5-14600KF worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500F?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500F still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500F sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14600KF in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Core i5-14600KF the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.3GHz). The Core Ultra 5 245KF is next on boost clock at 5.2GHz, so this pick's 5.3GHz is 2% further out. It gives up rated power (125W against 65W) to the Ryzen 5 5500F, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14600KF uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5700, the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5500F use AM4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF apart?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Ryzen 7 5700: a 65W TDP.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF, chosen for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for the highest boost clock here (5.3GHz), the Ryzen 7 5700 for a 65W TDP and the Ryzen 5 5500F for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
Match the socket to your motherboard, and check whether the cooler is in the box.