Buying Guide
The Best CPUs Under $500
Six processors priced under $500 at the time of writing, compared on cache, cores, boost clock and rated power.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Near $500 you reach AMD's fastest eight-core gaming chips and sixteen-core workstation parts.
We compared six processors on cache, cores, boost clock and rated power, using manufacturer specifications.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Under $500
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D96MB of L3 with a high boost clock.
Best for: High-end gaming builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest-Clocked X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3DA higher boost ceiling than the 9800X3D.
Best for: Players who want the fastest eight-core X3D.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Work
AMD Ryzen 9 9950XSixteen Zen 5 cores.
Best for: Rendering and compiling.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best LGA1700 Flagship
Intel Core i9-14900KA 6.0GHz boost on LGA1700.
Best for: Upgrading an existing LGA1700 board.
Check price for Intel Core i9-14900K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
Intel Core i7-14700KFThe Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want 5.6ghz maximum boost.
Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Value
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KFTwenty LGA1851 cores without integrated graphics.
Best for: Intel builds with a graphics card.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Under $5001 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D pairs 96MB of L3 cache with eight Zen 5 cores.
Best for
- High-end gaming builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
AMD moved the cache below the cores on this generation, which lets it clock higher than the 7800X3D. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.2GHz, while the Core i9-14900K offers 6GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 9850X3D on core count (8 cores).
It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X; the Core i7-14700KF goes with an LGA1700 socket. It also offers an unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips. 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.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Core Ultra 7 265KF and the pricier Core i9-14900K, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores
- Unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Core i9-14900K (6GHz)
- Costs more than the Core i7-14700KF at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is boost clock; for more, the Core i9-14900K offers 6GHz.
Highest-Clocked X3D2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a higher-clocked version of the 9800X3D: the same eight cores and 96MB of L3 with a higher boost ceiling.
Best for
- Players who want the fastest eight-core X3D.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is AMD's second-generation X3D eight-core chip with 96MB of L3 cache. It matches the Core i7-14700KF on boost clock (5.6GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 8 cores.
Like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i9-14900K uses an LGA1700 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Core i9-14900K and below the Ryzen 9 9950X at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Higher-clocked take on the 9800X3D design
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i9-14900K (24 cores)
- Costs more than the Core i7-14700KF at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on core count, where the Core i9-14900K offers 24 cores.
Best for Work3 of 6
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
The Ryzen 9 9950X is AMD's sixteen-core AM5 chip without V-Cache.
Best for
- Rendering and compiling.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO is a problem.
Why we like it
It aims at rendering, compiling and encoding more than frame rates. Its 64MB L3 cache ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (30MB). Its 5.7GHz boost clock ranks second of 6 here, behind the Core i9-14900K (6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (5.2GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 16 cores: the Core i9-14900K offers 24 cores, and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D comes in at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 120W. Like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen 7 9850X3D, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i9-14900K uses an LGA1700 socket.
You also get AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.7GHz maximum boost
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (120W)
The catch
Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D covers it better at 120W.
Best LGA1700 Flagship4 of 6
Intel Core i9-14900K
The Core i9-14900K is the last LGA1700 flagship with a 6.0GHz boost clock.
Best for
- Upgrading an existing LGA1700 board.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Check your board has the latest BIOS for Intel's stability microcode. Its 36MB L3 cache ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (30MB). Its 6GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 9950X comes next at 5.7GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 24 cores core count; the Core i7-14700KF comes closest at 20 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i7-14700KF and the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 125W. Like the Core i7-14700KF, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses an AM5 socket.
Like the Core i7-14700KF, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 9 9950X uses DDR5 memory. It also comes with 8 performance and 16 efficient cores. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 36MB
- Max boost
- 6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 24 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 6GHz maximum boost
- 24 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 performance and 16 efficient cores
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i7-14700KF at the time of writing
Worth Considering5 of 6
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 5.6ghz maximum boost.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 33MB: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB, and the Core Ultra 7 265KF comes in at 30MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 7 265KF on core count (20 cores). It matches the Core i9-14900K and the Core Ultra 7 265KF on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i9-14900K; the Core Ultra 7 265KF goes with an LGA1851 socket.
It shares DDR4 or DDR5 memory with the Core i9-14900K; the Ryzen 7 9850X3D goes with DDR5 memory. It also offers 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core Ultra 7 265KF was the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 33MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 20 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 28
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. If that matters, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has it.
Best Intel Value6 of 6
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
The Core Ultra 7 265KF is the 265K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Intel builds with a graphics card.
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 any display output. On L3 cache it trails the group at 30MB, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.5GHz: the Core i9-14900K offers 6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D comes in at 5.2GHz.
It matches the Core i7-14700KF on core count (20 cores). It matches the Core i9-14900K and the Core i7-14700KF on rated power (125W). An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses an AM5 socket.
It also offers 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Core i7-14700KF and the pricier Ryzen 7 9800X3D, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 30MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 20 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB)
The catch
The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers 96MB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 6 picks.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to the Core Ultra 7 265KF, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 9800X3D for 96MB of L3 with a high boost clock; the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for a higher boost ceiling than the 9800X3D; the Ryzen 9 9950X for sixteen Zen 5 cores.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i7-14700KF ($250 to $500) to the Ryzen 9 9950X ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a CPUs Under $500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Across these 6 picks L3 cache spans 30MB (the Core Ultra 7 265KF) to 96MB (the Ryzen 7 9800X3D). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the pick for L3 cache.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 5.2GHz on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to 6GHz on the Core i9-14900K, a 15% spread. If boost clock is your first filter, the Core i9-14900K sets the ceiling at 6GHz.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 9850X3D to 24 cores on the Core i9-14900K, a 200% spread. For less, the Core i7-14700KF is the runner-up at 20 cores.
Memory
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Core Ultra 7 265KF list DDR5; the Core i9-14900K and the Core i7-14700KF list DDR4 or DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the Ryzen 9 9950X, the Core i9-14900K, the Core i7-14700KF and the Core Ultra 7 265KF go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 6.
How to Choose a CPUs Under $500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-end gaming builds | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB of L3 with a high boost clock |
| Players who want the fastest eight-core X3D | Ryzen 7 9850X3D | A higher boost ceiling than the 9800X3D |
| Rendering and compiling | Ryzen 9 9950X | Sixteen Zen 5 cores |
| Upgrading an existing LGA1700 board | Core i9-14900K | A 6.0GHz boost on LGA1700 |
| Intel builds with a graphics card | Core Ultra 7 265KF | Twenty LGA1851 cores without integrated graphics |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 96MB | 5.6GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 64MB | 5.7GHz | 16 cores | 170W |
| Core i9-14900K | 36MB | 6GHz | 24 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core i7-14700KF, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 9 9950X at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-14700KF, Core Ultra 7 265KF, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Core i9-14900K, Ryzen 7 9850X3D |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 9950X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core i9-14900K ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X on boost clock?
The Core i9-14900K leads at 6GHz, with the Ryzen 9 9950X at 5.7GHz. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D closes the ranking at 5.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core i9-14900K or the Core i7-14700KF?
The Core i9-14900K tops core count at 24 cores; the Core i7-14700KF follows at 20 cores, 20% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 8 cores.
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X worth paying more than the Core i7-14700KF?
What it brings is L3 cache (64MB against 33MB) and boost clock (5.7GHz against 5.6GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Core i7-14700KF still leads on core count (20 cores) and rated power (125W). The Core i7-14700KF sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the Ryzen 9 9950X in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the Best Under $500?
It earns the label for 96MB of L3 with a high boost clock. It gives up boost clock (5.2GHz against 5.6GHz) and core count (8 cores against 20 cores) to the Core i7-14700KF, the cheapest pick. It suits high-end gaming builds.
Do the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Core i9-14900K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X use AM5; the Core i9-14900K and the Core i7-14700KF use LGA1700; the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses LGA1851.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D apart?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D: second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D: a higher-clocked take on the 9800X3D design. The Ryzen 9 9950X: AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the gaming pick under $500, with the 9850X3D for a little more clock speed. The Ryzen 9 9950X suits heavy work, and the i9-14900K suits an existing LGA1700 board.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs Under $400
- Related guideThe Best High-End Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best High-End Intel CPUs for Gaming
- Higher budgetThe Best CPUs Under $800
- Similar guideThe Best CPUs Under $200
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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