Buying Guide
The Best Gaming CPUs Under $300
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 9 7900 has the largest L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 7700 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Between $200 and $300 you reach eight cores and the fastest mid-range gaming chips. Every pick costs between $200 and $300, ordered by boost clock.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
A lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting Wraith Prism cooler in the box for the least money.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked. | Getting Wraith Prism cooler in the box for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900 at 5.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on core count (8 cores). Its 105W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 65W. It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 7700 and the Ryzen 9 7900, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- 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
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 9 7900 (65W)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700 at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900 is the 65W twelve-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Prism cooler included.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Ryzen 7 7700, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It trades a little boost clock for lower heat. Nothing else here matches its 64MB L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 7700X comes closest at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 12 cores core count; the Ryzen 7 7700X comes closest at 8 cores. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on rated power (65W). It also offers 12 cores at a 65W rating.
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 the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
Cons
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700 is the 65W version of the 7700X and ships with a Wraith Prism cooler.
Best for
- Getting Wraith Prism cooler in the box for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if L3 cache matters most to you; the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 64MB.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7700X leads at 5.4GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900 at 65W. 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 cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 7 7700X the next step up. It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 64MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- 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
- A lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked
Cons
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900 (64MB)
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 7700X (5.4GHz)
- Core count trails the Ryzen 9 7900 (12 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Ryzen 7 7700X to the Ryzen 7 7700, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share AM5 socket and DDR5 memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 7700X for the Zen 4 architecture; the Ryzen 9 7900 for the largest L3 cache here (64MB); the Ryzen 7 7700 for a lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 7700 ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 7900 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Gaming CPUs Under $300
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 32MB on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900. Start with the Ryzen 9 7900 if L3 cache decides it.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 7 7700X. The Ryzen 7 7700X is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900. Start with the Ryzen 9 7900 if core count decides it.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 7 7700X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 9 7900: 12 cores at a 65W rating. The Ryzen 7 7700: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 7 7700 and the Ryzen 7 7700X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 9 7900 at our last check.
How to Choose a Gaming CPUs Under $300
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 7 7700X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 9 7900 | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| Getting Wraith Prism cooler in the box for the least money | Ryzen 7 7700 | A lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 9 7900 | 64MB | 5.4GHz | 12 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 7 7700 was the lowest-priced pick and the Ryzen 9 7900 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 7700, Ryzen 7 7700X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Ryzen 9 7900 or the Ryzen 7 7700X?
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 64MB, with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 32MB.
Is the Ryzen 9 7900 ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X on core count?
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 12 cores, with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 8 cores.
What does the Ryzen 9 7900 add over the Ryzen 7 7700?
On paper it adds L3 cache (64MB against 32MB), boost clock (5.4GHz against 5.3GHz) and core count (12 cores against 8 cores). The Ryzen 7 7700 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 9 7900 our Largest Game Cache pick?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). It suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Does the Ryzen 9 7900 have cooler in box, and which others do?
The Ryzen 9 7900 and the Ryzen 7 7700 have it; the Ryzen 7 7700X does not.
What extras do the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 9 7900 include?
The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 9 7900: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box. The Ryzen 7 7700: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 7700X, chosen for the Zen 4 architecture. Look at the Ryzen 7 7700 for a lower price than the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
Keep $30 for a decent tower cooler when the CPU ships without one.