Buying Guide
The Best Gaming CPUs Under $200
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $200 you can get six cores with plenty of cache. Every pick costs between $130 and $200, ordered by L3 cache.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
A lower price than the Ryzen 5 7600X and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Radeon integrated graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Ryzen 5 7600X and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (8 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
| Radeon integrated graphics. | Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600G on boost clock (4.4GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 5600G at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5600G, it has DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 5 7600X uses DDR5 memory. It also comes with DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600X; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600X has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- 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 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G
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
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G (4.4GHz).
On rated power it trails the group at 105W, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 9600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5600G uses an AM4 socket. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5600 and below the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (65W)
Highest Boost Clock3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz).
It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 7600X; the Ryzen 5 5600 goes with an AM4 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 7600X and the pricier Ryzen 7 5700X, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5600 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
Highest Core Count4 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
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs comin rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 4.6GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G (4.4GHz).
On core count it leads this guide at 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (6 cores). Like the Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 5 5600G, it has DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 5 7600X uses DDR5 memory. It also offers PCIe 4.0 support.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 5600G cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600 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
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G
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
Strong Alternative5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600G pairs six Zen 3 cores with Radeon integrated graphics and a boxed cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game is a problem.
Why we like it
It runs lighter games without a graphics card on cheap AM4 boards and DDR4 memory, and a card can be added later. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 7 5700X; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 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.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- 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.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 5600 for a lower price than the Ryzen 5 7600X and the rest when we checked; the Ryzen 5 7600X for the Zen 4 architecture; the Ryzen 5 9600X for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 5600G, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming CPUs Under $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5600G to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 5600. The Ryzen 5 5600 is the pick for L3 cache.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600G to 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X. The Ryzen 5 7600X comes second for less money.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5600G to 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 5700X. The Ryzen 7 5700X is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600G list DDR4; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X list DDR5. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600G have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X go without. Settle this first, then compare prices.
How to Choose a Gaming CPUs Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Ryzen 5 5600 | A lower price than the Ryzen 5 7600X and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 5 7600X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 9600X | The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 7 5700X | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
| Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics | Ryzen 5 5600G | Radeon integrated graphics |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 5600 leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600G | 16MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 7600X compare with the Ryzen 5 9600X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 5.4GHz, with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz. The Ryzen 5 5600G is at the other end of this group with 4.4GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 on core count?
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 5 5600G worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5600?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5600 still leads on L3 cache (32MB). The Ryzen 5 5600 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the Ryzen 5 9600X the Highest Boost Clock?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). It suits anyone who put boost clock first.
Do the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 7600X differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600G use AM4; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X use AM5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 7600X apart?
The Ryzen 5 5600: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 7600X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5600, chosen for a lower price than the Ryzen 5 7600X and the rest when we checked. Look at the Ryzen 5 7600X for the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 9600X for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) and the Ryzen 7 5700X for the highest core count here (8 cores) if those matter more to you.
Pair it with a B-series or B650 board; a high-end board adds little.