Best CPU Under 200 Dollars | Top 10 Budget Processors Reviewed

Intel Core i5-12400

It might be difficult to find an Intel CPU from the 12th generation that costs less than $200 MSRP. The Intel Core i5-12400 will currently be your best option for a 12th generation CPU around $200.

There are at least six Hyperthreaded cores in every 12th generation Core series CPU. Six-core CPUs are compatible with the majority of cheaper and mid-priced designs since their pricing ranges from the low $100s to the mid $300s. When it comes to processing cores, six is the magic number.

Why? While they are especially good for gaming, six core CPUs are capable of handling the majority of activities you might ask of your computer. A CPU with a greater core count could be necessary for certain tasks, but you’ll normally only find it in professional-grade Computers used for rendering, video editing, or coding.

The term “hyperthreading” refers to the technique used by Intel to split up each physical core into numerous virtual cores, enabling a single processor core to execute two instructions at once. Your CPU will get quicker as a result, supporting both multitasking and sophisticated single-core apps.

Currently, both in base clock rate and boosted clock rate, the i5-12400 has the lowest clock rate of any 12th generation Core processor and is even slower than several 10th and 11th generation Core processors. Yet for less than $200, this is unquestionably the finest you can buy.

While it doesn’t communicate or process information as rapidly as some of the faster (and more costly) CPUs due to its low base clock rate of 2.4 GHz, it consumes less power and is still more than fast enough for gaming and other demanding jobs.

It has the ability to recognize greater CPU demand and accelerate the clock rate to 4.4 GHz, which consumes more power and calls for more effective cooling to function properly. Nevertheless, unlike the majority of Intel’s CPUs in this price bracket, this one cannot be overclocked since it is not an unlocked chip.

When it comes to whether they’ll send a CPU with a stock cooling, Intel may be erratic. However, the Intel Core i5-12400 does come with one, making it a bit more suitable for low-cost designs. These coolers might be weak, and the factory’s application of the thermal paste isn’t always reliable.

While you’re more likely to see a change in your thermals if you purchase a few inexpensive to mid-range case fans than a replacement stock cooler for lower budget builds with locked CPUs like this one.

Be aware that the 12th generation of Intel’s processors utilizes a different kind of socket than the 10th and 11th generations did, and that many motherboards that are compatible with the 12th generation are set up to support the more costly and faster DDR5 memory sticks.

Overall, the Intel Core i5-12400 is the finest CPU available on the market in 2022 for less than $200. It provides excellent performance for the money, uses very little power, and is quite simple to cool. Moreover, it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, allowing for future memory upgrades that are significantly simpler.

Intel Core i5-11400

Choose a processor from a somewhat older generation if you want to be sure it will be in stock and meet your budget. The variations between generations, particularly in the lower-tier CPUs, are sometimes insignificant since Intel introduces a new generation of processors around once each year.

With that in mind, other from a few small technical variations concerning the speed and latency of the individual cores, the Intel Core i5-11400 and i5-12400 are almost identical.

The Intel Core i5-11400 is a six-core CPU with a low price tag, much as the i5-12400. Because of this, it is appropriate for the great majority of users, including casual broadcasters, gamers, and amateur video providers. If you choose a CPU in the current generation with less than six cores, you won’t save much money, particularly if you move back one or two generations.

Currently, the i5-11400 actually outperforms the more recent i5-12400 with a basic clock rate of 2.6 GHz. Its baseline performance may become somewhat more responsive as a result, although the resulting power consumption difference is just around 10%.

The enhanced clock rate, which is 4.4 GHz, the same as the i5-12400, will have the most impact on your performance. You’ll either need an unlocked processor, which this CPU isn’t, or pay a significant amount of money to reach much higher than that.

If you’re looking for a very low-budget build, the i5-integrated 11400’s graphics processing will let your build to run without a GPU. Purchasing the 11400F model might save you a few dollars more if you planned to add a GPU, but prices haven’t changed much that much since the 12th generation was introduced.

Several of the higher-end alternatives don’t have a standard cooler since, with more powerful CPUs, you’ll often want to upgrade beyond it. You should be able to keep your system cool with the standard cooler and a pair of inexpensive case fans since the i5-11400 has a more moderate clock rate and cannot be overclocked.

The Intel Core i5-11400 is going to be your best option to buy a high-performing, six-core CPU for under $200 if you can’t get your hands on the i5-12400. This processor’s major flaw is its incompatibility with DDR5 memory, which might complicate matters if you wish to update your system in the future.

Yet, we heartily advise Intel’s i5-11400 if you have an LGA 1200 motherboard at home and are seeking for the finest CPU for it around $200. Furthermore, it costs a little less than its replacement.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600

The popularity of Ryzen CPUs in low-cost designs may be attributed to a few factors. Considering how much older they are often, the CPUs themselves don’t cost much (if anything) less than their Intel equivalents.

Nonetheless, Ryzen CPUs normally use less power, which may help you save money on your power supply or on energy over the long run.

Also, all Ryzen CPUs are unlocked, allowing you to overclock them and use more power than a conventional less expensive chip would.

One of the oldest processors on the market that is still worth your money is the AMD Ryzen 5 2600, a six-core CPU.

The Ryzen 5 2600 employs multi-threading, which enables each physical core to do many tasks concurrently, in contrast to the majority of Intel CPUs produced in the same year. This will handle complicated tasks considerably more quickly than a 9th generation Intel and be much smoother while multitasking.

With a base frequency of 3.4 GHz and a maximum factory preset increase of 3.9 GHz, the default clock speeds are rather constrained. Even though its basic clock rate is greater, it nevertheless uses less power than any i5-xx400 model.

The maximum clock rate is far lower than what Intel was able to achieve at comparable costs and timelines, however. Despite being unlocked, you can only increase its speed by around 4.2 GHz and only with adequate cooling.

AMD comes on the top of best CPU under 200 dollars. Nevertheless, the Ryzen 5 2600 performs rather well in the current market, mostly because AMD introduced multi-threading throughout their whole family before Intel did. Finding a reliable board for it won’t be difficult since it is compatible with many different motherboards.

At less than $200, this CPU provides excellent gaming performance, but if you often engage in processor-intensive tasks, a more recent processor from either Intel or AMD would undoubtedly make a difference.

This is now your best choice if you already own an AM4 motherboard and absolutely must keep your CPU cost around $200, but other from that, there isn’t much to recommend it over more recent Intel CPUs.

Intel Core i5-10400

The 10th generation of Intel Core CPUs is the farthest back most consumers will wish to go. The 10th generation will still function in a manner that is comparable to that of the generations that came after it, but at substantially reduced costs.

Although several of AMD’s direct rivals from the same year perform better in terms of durability, they are much more costly as a consequence.

In 2022, the Intel Core i5-10400 will be the 6-core, 12-thread CPU with the lowest cost. Anything less expensive will lose threads, cores, or both.

Depending on the jobs they want their Computer to do, some users may be able to get away with that, but serious gamers and anybody looking for a powerful all-around build should stay with at least a six-core, 12-thread CPU. The majority of less expensive solutions will also be older, which might have additional disadvantages.

The greatest change between the 10th and subsequent generations is that the range of default clock rates is smaller, much as the distinction between the 11th and 12th generation.

At a basic clock speed of only 2.9 GHz, this CPU is one of the few where Intel and AMD are evenly matched in terms of power consumption. The maximum boost clock rate is 4.3 GHz, which is faster than the AMD processors available at this price.

If you have the necessary graphics card, that performance will be sufficient for high-end gaming, multitasking, and certain more difficult video editing tasks.

Well, the included stock cooler should be sufficient for 95% of what a CPU this powerful is going to be capable of, provided that you have a case with excellent thermals. You may want to update if you’re going to be doing things all the time that keep your CPU and GPU operating at maximum capacity, but you could easily justify putting it on the back burner.

In conclusion, the Intel Core i5-10400 is the least expensive CPU that won’t force you make significant compromises. It’s not much more affordable than the more recent i5-11400, and with the introduction of gen 12, the i5-11400 seems to have stabilized in supply.

Even so, the $20–30 price difference in most outlets and decreased power use make this a sensible buy if you’re watching every dime.

AMD Ryzen 3 3100

The only third-generation AMD CPU that you’ll be able to buy fresh for less than $200 is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100. That could change when the most recent iteration debuts later this year, but in general, Ryzen CPU prices have been very steady, so you shouldn’t bank on it.

The Ryzen 3 3100’s lower pricing is mostly due to the fact that it has four cores, unlike the majority of the other products on our list thus far. Six cores are ideal, as we have often discussed, but don’t let that deter you from what may be a fantastic and somewhat cheaper CPU.

A four-core CPU, or even a dual-core in the case of certain older games, can easily run the majority of games. Newer open world games (like RDR2, or Far Cry 6) or grand strategy games will be the only significant exceptions (like Stellaris or Total War).

Even while you can still play certain games, they won’t run as quickly or smoothly as they would on a system with higher power. A 6-core/12-thread i5-xx400 series would likely be a better choice if you’re going to be performing a lot of work that significantly relies on your CPU. But, the fact that this processor is multi-threaded will aid with more CPU-intensive games and jobs.

When it comes to overclocking, the Ryzen 3 3100 is one of the finest quad-core CPUs. The processor’s 3.6 GHz to 3.9 GHz baseline clock rates may be routinely increased to 4.5 GHz, and some overclocking enthusiasts have even reported clock speeds as high as 5 GHz. It will more than make up for the decreased core count for certain workloads.

Naturally, you’ll need something other than the standard cooling that comes with it if you overclock it that high. If you have additional fans or cooling installed, the Wraith Stealth coolers that AMD includes with the Ryzen 3 and 5 CPUs operate well on clock speeds up to 4.5 GHz, but anything more than that would need a more expensive cooling solution, ideally liquid.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 isn’t the cheapest quad-core CPU available, but its value is increased by its ability to overclock. Many Intel CPUs, including both the four-core and six-core ones, will be less expensive and provide far greater overall performance if you don’t intend to overclock it.

Intel Core i3-10320

The i3 series was not introduced with the 11th generation, and even though it seems that Intel will debut the whole range with the 12th generation, the i3-12300 was introduced too soon to be available with a constant pricing at all times as of the time this article was being written.

The Intel Core i3-10320 is the most recent quad-core Intel CPU that you will regularly be able to get for less than $200 in the coming months. Theoretically, it and the i3-10300 are tied, but the 10320 performs just a little bit better.

The CPU of the i3-10320 has four cores. The majority of desktop builds for gaming Computers and other purposes often employ a more potent CPU with a higher thread count, however this is mostly done to have power left over for more future compatibility.

The majority of laptops, including many gaming laptops, have quad-core processors, thus a quad-core processor will often be able to handle the majority of your Computer needs.

In fact, a PC will generally be able to provide the CPU with extra cooling, which will further maximise its power. Four cores will still be on the low end if you create any anything, including streaming.

Moreover, the i3 has Intel’s Hyperthreading feature, which permits two threads per core.

The 10th generation’s entry-level CPUs utilise a lot less power than you would be used to seeing from Intel. The i3-10320 has a basic power drain of 65W while having a 3.8 GHz base clock rate and a boosted clock of up to 4.6 GHz.

This will reduce the load on your computer’s thermals and keep it operating at a lower temperature. While the CPU cannot be overclocked since it is locked, the high default boost is comparable to what the ordinary user might usually get out of the Ryzen 3 3100.

The standard cooler that comes with the i3-10320 is also not particularly effective or appealing. While you should be alright with the default cooler since this is a smaller CPU with a lower power demand, there’s nothing prohibiting you from upgrading.

The i3-10320 was created as a compromise between the i3-10300 and the i5-10400 when it was first introduced, with an emphasis on gamers who would benefit more from a faster clock rate than a greater core count.

You can receive the advantages of the i3-10320 without having to pay the higher price now that the i3-10300, i3-10320, and i5-10400 are all within $10 of one another.

Intel Core i3-10300

The Intel Core i3-10300 and i3-10320 are very identical low-cost CPUs, as one may infer from their names; the i3-slower 10300’s clock rate is the only significant distinction.

When the i3 CPUs returned for the launch of the 12th generation after being absent from the launch of the 11th generation, their price differences could have been a deciding factor in which one to purchase, but now that they are priced so similarly, the i3-10300 doesn’t seem like a worthwhile alternative to the i3-10320.

The i3-10300 is a quad-core CPU that can now handle the majority of daily workloads. While it will still run the majority of games, you won’t have the minimum requirements for the vast majority of AAA titles published in the last several years.

The 10th generation CPU has Intel’s hyperthreading, which will aid with multitasking and improve the performance and responsiveness of your System overall.

The i3-10300 has a slightly slower base clock rate than the 10320 at 3.7 GHz, however it does not seem to have an impact on power use. Compared to Ryzen CPUs from this time period, the increased clock rate of 4.4 GHz is superior.

Such benefit is questionable given that it cannot be overclocked and that the higher-clocked 10320 is now significantly less expensive.

The i3-10300 comes with a factory cooling that performs far better for the older, less power-hungry CPU versions. The standard cooler and maybe one or two case fans will be enough to keep the majority of casual gaming setups operating at usable temperatures.

The i3-12300 is now too close to coming on sale for us to have a solid idea of what the supply and possible reseller markups will look like. Some of the retailers who feature them are charging around the same as the i3-10300 for them.

Even though it is only $10 more than MSRP, the i3-10300 no longer benefits from having an earlier model of CPU. Even if a quad-core Intel CPU is the only option if you need a processor right now, you should still choose the i3-10320 over the i3-10300.

Intel Core i5-9600KF

Just before the 12th generation of CPUs debuted, Intel stopped producing its 9th generation chips. While many of them are still in use, anticipate that as the year goes on, it will become more difficult to locate and only be possible to get via resellers processors like the Intel Core i5-9600KF. The Intel Core i5-9600KF, however, has the potential to be a reliable part in the majority of low-cost setups for the time being.

Although the majority of AMD CPUs from this point on were hyperthreaded, the i5-9600KF is a six-core processor that is not. If you often work on CPU-intensive jobs or play older CPU-intensive games, the high core count can still make this a viable option for you (like earlier entries in the Civilization series).

A modern, multi-threaded CPU is definitely your best option if you require a strong processor more for multitasking or simpler but sophisticated activities.

The i5-major 9600KF’s benefit is that it is an unlocked CPU, which helps compensate for some of the drawbacks of single-threaded cores. It is a more powerful CPU in certain ways than the i3-10300 or even the i5-11400 thanks to the default boost of up to 4.6GHz.

The i5-safe 9600KF’s overclocking range, according to testing, is just at 5.0 GHz, although users with better cooling and more exact overclocking settings have been able to push it as high as 5.2 GHz.

However, the i5-9600KF lacks integrated graphics, which might reduce cost and free up processing power while also lowering pricing. Yet, that implies that in order for your Computer to function, a GPU is a need.

As most PC builders are gamers who have spent more time choosing their GPU than their CPU, this is probably not a problem.

The i5-9600KF does not come with a stock cooler, which may increase the overall cost of your build. Yet, a six-core CPU like this would definitely need something more powerful than an Intel standard cooling if you were trying to overclock it.

The 9th generation of CPUs utilises a different socket than the 10th and 11th generations, so keep that in mind. Manufacturers of motherboards have stopped producing motherboards compatible with 9th generation CPUs.

Due to sellers’ attempts to get rid of their inventory, price may fluctuate unexpectedly, going higher as demand for the final few items increases.

By 2022, upgrading to a 9th generation CPU should only be done as a last option. The Intel Core i5-9600KF is one of the best sub-$200 6-core processors currently in use and is one of the better performing budget CPUs overall. This is largely compensated by escalating compatibility problems.

Intel Core i5-9500

If you find yourself with no other choice but to go all the way back to the 9th generation, the Intel Core i5-9500 offers an alternative.

While it’s not the best option of the 9th generation chips you can still find, it makes sense to have a few options since, now that the 9th generation is no longer being produced, cost and availability of the remaining 9th gen chips may change unexpectedly.

The i5-9500 also has six cores, with all the advantages it brings. It may be less responsive than later CPUs since the individual cores are not Hyperthreaded. It will provide a good gaming experience for the majority of games, but it could have trouble with those that have expansive, intricate settings, such as grand strategy games, open-world games, and some of the more intricate city simulations.

We highly advise acquiring a newer CPU, possibly one that is substantially more costly than any of the ones on our list, if you often do processor-intensive operations, such as streaming, video editing, or complicated rendering, particularly in a professional capacity.

The clock rate is closer to that of the more recent Intel Core i5-400 variants since this is an i5-9500. The maximum boost speed is 4.4 GHz, which is routinely offered by newer CPUs in the same price range. The base speed is 3.0 GHz. Moreover, this CPU cannot be overclocked.

Sadly, the i5-9500 doesn’t come with a factory cooler. It would be irritating to have to pay even $20–30 on a cheap air cooler if you were searching all the way back to the 9th generation to locate a CPU for around $200. You definitely don’t want to spend any further money.

The major problem here will be compatibility, however. There are still a fair number of 9th-gen compatible motherboards available as of the time of writing this article, but that may change as the year goes on.

There isn’t anything to suggest the Intel Core i5-9500 above any of the other 9th generation CPUs or the newer CPUs that are under $200 in 2022, unless the price of the Intel Core i5-9500 reduces dramatically over the course of the year or the price of the i5-9600KF climbs back up.

It might be a good bargain if supplies or pricing change, or if you can get one on sale, but it will still depend on what you need it for.

Intel Core i5-9400

In all generations, Intel’s i5-400 series has consistently been the least expensive six-core CPU. At many of the sites we looked, the price of the Intel Core i5-9400 hasn’t decreased since it was discontinued in late last year, contrary to what one may have anticipated.

The i5-9400 has the lowest clock speed of any 9th generation CPU and is the least expensive six-core processor in each generation’s range. Although it does reduce power use, your computer will no doubt become less powerful when it comes to CPU-intensive games as a result.

Moreover, the maximum clock speed is just 4.1 GHz, which is lower than the 4.3 GHz of the 10th generation i5-10400 or the 4.4 GHz of the i5-9500 from this generation. This flaw cannot be fixed by overclocking since the CPU is locked.

The i5-9400 lacks multithreading as the other Core CPUs from this generation do. That’s not a big problem for a cheap Computer, particularly one you want to use for basic gaming, but it can be had from almost any modern CPU for the same price (or less).

The i5-9400 also comes with a factory cooler, which could make up for the higher price and put it on par with the i5-9500 or i5-higher 9600KF’s performance.

Due to the fact that the Intel Core i5-9400 is now officially out of production, in addition to the anticipated problems with pricing and availability, you may also start to experience problems finding motherboards that work with it because the 10th and 11th generations use a different socket and the newest 12th generation uses yet another socket.

In the first half of the year, if you’re reading this while constructing your PC, you’re probably still in the clear. But, as the year goes on, things might become complicated, particularly if Intel delivers their 13th generation in Q4 as planned.

As the Intel Core i5-9400 is no longer manufactured, neither price nor availability can be guaranteed. Given what occurred with the i5-9500 and i5-9600, you may have anticipated this to cause prices to drop and retailers to want to get rid of their stock, but it doesn’t seem to have happened in this case.

In actuality, the majority of retailers are charging between $20 and $50 less for the i5-10400 than for the i5-9400. The i5-11400 is a little more reliable and generally costs about the same as the i5-9400, but this effectively eliminates any cost savings you would have anticipated by going back this many generations.