In recent years, gamers have focused their attention more on saving up funds forthe latest graphics cardsrather than purchasing powerhouse CPUs. With the ability to transform a meager system into a full-fledged gaming champion with a simple GPU swap, this change in priorities is understandable. Even so, processors remain the brains of any PC, and CPU-intensive titles likeCall of Duty: Modern Warfarestill demands adequate Intel or AMD chips.
For gamers with limited funds,considering the exorbitant cost of graphics cards, finding the best budget CPU for gaming becomes an even more difficult task requiring research and deciding on various price-to-performance implications of certain decisions going into 2024.
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Budget CPUs for Gaming
Using price, value for money, and gaming performance as key metrics, the team at Game Rant has handpicked the best budget CPUs for gaming in 2024 below:
Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU
Raptor Lake Reflex
The Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU is a powerful mid-range CPU that replaces the last generation Intel Core i5 13600KF with higher clocks on both its performance and efficiency cores.Like all its siblings, it does offer better performance out-of-the-box versus its predecessors but replaces them at the same price points they sold last year. Unlike the Intel Core i5 14600K, this model trades at a small discount thanks to it skipping out on integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5 14600KF is arguably the best value-for-money processor for gaming currently as it skips an iGPU to clock in just under a $300 MSRP for a 14-core, 20-thread behemoth that also offers a higher boost clock speed than the older Intel Core i5 13600K CPU. It conclusively beats AMD’s Zen 4-based unlocked Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 7 7700X CPUs that trade in the $200-300 price range in multiple gaming and productivity benchmarks even as it flexes its productivity prowess going into 2024, building on the value of its predecessor.
While it does offer significantly better performance than its last generation counterpart as well as AMD’s alternatives in the same price range, it does have demanding thermal cooling requirements even as it doesn’t come with a stock cooler. While that is not an issue for most gamers, many of whom go forhigh-end AIOs or air coolersfor Intel’s unlocked CPU lineup, it should be considered as an added expense for system builders when factoring in a large upgrade or a brand-new PC in 2024.
All in all, the Intel Core i5 14600K remains, much like its predecessor, a potent performer that is also Intel’s best CPU for gaming when price-to-performance ratios are factored in. It does, in the absence of a 6-core Ryzen 7000 series X3D player at its price point, win handily in most gaming benchmarks with ease.
The Intel Core i5 14600K and the 14600KF are currently part of a set of qualifying Intel 14th-generation CPUs that get a free copy of Star Wars Outlaws at launch as part of an ongoing promotion.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Value-Centric Gaming Juggernaut
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the entry-level, yet very capable, gaming CPU from AMD that features 6 cores, 12 threads, and 32MB of L3 cache. It has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The Ryzen 5 7600 is an unlocked processor with a default TDP of 65W. It also has integrated RDNA 2 graphics and is the cheapest offering in the lineup with an iGPU.
The 6-core, 12-thread AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is arguably one of the best gaming CPUs money can buy for just under $200 currently. It offers AMD’s newer Zen 4 cores, an unlocked chip, and access down the line to its newer AM5 platform for future upgrades. It also allows users to save on investing in a CPU cooler - AMD bundles 1 in the box for users building for the first time or not having an AM4/AM5 thermal solution in tow.
Not only can it be pushed to the Ryzen 5 7600X’s clock speeds with relative ease, but it remains significantly more efficient than its competition, and at its rated speeds, considerably better in terms of price-to-performance even versus AMD’s slightly higher-end hexacore CPU currently. All in all, the Ryzen 5 7600 muscles into gaming territory that previously was dominated by Intel’s 12th generation Core i5 CPUs with ease and holds its own versus the competition from within and without alike.
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
The Best Budget AM4 Gaming CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D extends the lifespan of the AM4 platform through its 3D V-Cache technology that helps it perform equally well in games as the latest Ryzen 7000 CPUs. With 8 Cores/16 threads configuration, it is somewhat equivalent to the more expensive 5800X3D and is perfect for both gaming and CPU-intensive workloads
For users looking to stay on their existing AM4 motherboard and RAM combination at a sub-$200 budget, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D might be too pricey as it continues to oscillate at a sub-$300 price tag. The recently released AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D however might be the CPU most of the holdouts are waiting for in 2024. Unlike the 5600X3D, it comes with a full 8-core, 16-thread configuration and performance that comes within spitting distance of the faster 5800X3D.
It is a cheaper upgrade than most users on AM4 than building around AMD’s newer Ryzen 5 7600/7600X CPUs once users factor in the cost of an AM5 CPU, motherboard, and newer DDR5 RAM modules together. Due to its tamer clocks, it does run relatively more efficiently than most of its competition and isn’t as demanding as some of Intel’s counterparts when it comes to thermals while gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D does have its drawbacks, most of which stem from users embracing an end-of-life platform in 2024: it only supports DDR4 RAM and older PCI-E 4.0 storage (and GPU options). It also, unlike newer Zen 4-based AMD CPUs has no upgrade path with the 5800X3D being a relatively minor gain at best for gamers aiming to eke out an upgrade later down the line.
Intel Core i5-14400F
Rebadged Raptor Lake
Intel Core i5-14400F is a revised edition of the i5 13400F that brings higher clock speeds for the same price. The Raptor Lake Refresh architecture helps it improve in overall performance while retaining its power efficiency. The i5 14400F brings 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, resulting in a total of 16 threads.
Much like its predecessor, the Intel Core i5 14400F offers some of the best value for gamers and power users alike at a sub-$200 price tag. This is due to its high single-core clocks that help it contend with the newest games as well as its deca-core configuration offering 16 threads, making it a viable multitasker that does well with games that can utilize them well.
The Intel Core i5 14400F ups the ante on its CPU cores with a 200 Mhz boost on performance cores and 100 Mhz on its efficient cores alike. While it offers a very small upgrade as a result versus the 13400F, it also sees no price increase versus the last-gen Intel offering, making it a no-brainer. For what it’s worth, AMD’s Ryzen 7600 and 7600X are faster for gaming in general but the 14400F does bridge some of that gap thanks to its higher clocks on offer, making it a viable option at just under $200.
The processor allows users to cut down on the cost significantly on the motherboard and the CPU cooler (thanks to the included stock option) by adjusting around its limitations. Given that the 14400F is a locked chip, users can simply pair it with an entry-level motherboard and the stock cooler or withhigher-end Z790 chipset-based motherboardsto make upgrades an easier affair.
The Intel Core i5 14400F is currently part of a set of qualifying Intel 14th-generation CPUs that get a free copy of Star Wars Outlaws at launch as part of an ongoing promotion.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU
Last-Gen’s Last Hurrah
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-range CPU, excellent for gaming setups. This is the fastest six-core AM4-based processor from AMD and features 12 processing threads. According to the company, the processor can deliver 100-plus FPS performance in the world’s most popular games. The processor supports DDR4 memory with a sweet spot of 3600MHz.It offers 4.6 GHz boost clock speeds out of the box with overclocking potential in tow, coupled with 35 MB of cache. This model comes bundled with a quiet and capable AMD Wraith Stealth cooler.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a decent mid-range hexacore CPU, offering 12 threads across its 6 cores in an unlocked package. It comes with an adequate thermal solution out of the box, a rarity for an unlocked CPU that provides adequate cooling unless users plan to overclock the CPU.
As a middle-of-the-road option in AMD’s AM4 inventory, the 5600X will remain relevant longer than most processors even as it remains a popular choice in multiple PC markets due to its value proposition, easy availability, and a bundled stock cooler on an unlocked CPU. That is likely even after the 7600X’s launch with significant performance gains simply due to the sheer number of AM4-based PCs out there looking for a cost-effective upgrade. For system builders who decide against apre-built budget PCfor a DIY experience, there are also a substantial number of affordable AM4 motherboards to pair with this processor.
At the same time, the AMD’s 5600X’s age does show when it gets compared to newer Intel CPUs. Somewhat disappointing single-core performance does tend to show in multiple esports titles where Intel’s slightly cheaper Core i3-based quad-core solutions have an advantage. Regardless, the 5600X remains a sensible overall alternative for most games, clocking in the right amount of cores, clock speeds, and IPC counts which sees it heavily feature in both, hardware recommendations and prebuilt PCs well into 2024.
Intel Core i3-14100F
Quad Core Budget Player
Intel Core i3-14100F is a refreshed version of the i3 13100F, now with higher clock speeds that go to as much as 4.7 GHz. Based on Intel’s older Alder Lake architecture rebadged as a Raptor Lake Refresh offering, the CPU brings 4 performance cores and a total of 8 threads to get started with any small or medium-scale application. With its capable single-core performance, it holds its own versus most entry-level processors in gaming and productivity alike.
The Intel Core i3 14100F offers yet another iteration of Intel’s rebadged Alder Lake-based silicon in a 4-core configuration much like the Core i5 14400F above while raising core clocks to keep things in check. The cores come with a smaller L2 cache than their beefier Rocket Lake counterparts even as they both carry the same “Raptor Lake Refresh” moniker.
The Intel Core i3 14100F is the fastest quad-core CPU on the list currently and with good reason: most games have shifted their recommended hardware requirements to at least a 6-core CPU in 2024 and while the 14100F can play most, if not all games currently, this could change relatively fast soon.
Thankfully the 14100F has upgrades available for users down the line across 3 generations of Intel CPUs even as motherboards continue to get cheaper for the Intel LGA 1700 platform over time. This makes it Intel’s best entry-level budget CPU despite its shortcomings thanks to the value it offers and solid upgrade paths available to users versus legacy AM4-based CPUs like the 5600X above.
A Phoenix-Infused APU Offering
The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU is a powerful entry-level gaming APU that combines AMD’s efficient and performant mobile Zen 4 cores with a capable iGPU in the shape of the AMD Radeon 760M.It packs in acceptable gaming performance at a price point that decimates most of its comparable discrete GPU and CPU combinations even as it is one of the first CPUs or APUs that pack AMD’s Ryzen AI tech to support on-chip AI acceleration.
For users looking for the upgrade to AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series APUs for budget gaming, the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU is arguably the best value-centric upgrade available to them. The APU is essentially the middle-ground offering between the higher-end Ryzen 7 8700G and the lower-tier Ryzen 5 8500G APUs. It comes unlocked out of the box and can be pushed higher based on user needs (with adequate cooling in tow).
The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is a capable contender that bundles the mobile GPU that many Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series CPUs offer at the higher end: The Radeon 760M. It does clock it aggressively high but users can push it even higher with a better 3rd party cooler. Doing so would somewhat be counterintuitive unless they have a spare cooler given the price increase could put it within spitting distance of the faster 8700G APU which also comes with a beefier stock cooler.
The 8600G is a powerful APU in its own right with a large incremental upgrade over its older Zen 3-based APU alternatives but one that does make compromises to get there. It lacks PCI-E 5.0 support for starters while reserving most of its PCI-E 4.0 lanes resulting in only 8 lanes available for a discrete GPU down the line. Also, while it does scale well with better, higher-clocked memory on offer, it does somewhat have very visible performance scaling barriers given its positioning as a mid-range APU with a capable, but limited iGPU offering in 2024.
Game Rant recommends reading theteam’s review of the AMD Ryzen 5 8600Gto make an informed purchase in 2024.
Finding the Right Budget CPU For Gaming
While modern CPUs are significantly faster in terms of clock speeds and core counts, that is not the only thing that drives their performance while gaming. Gaming on a budget CPU requires looking at various facets of what truly makes a CPU great for gaming while making a price-conscious choice:
Have Problems Deciding On A CPU?
There may only be two main players in the CPU arena, but each produces enough processors to cause some confusion when building a PC. Especially when on a limited budget, it’s problematic to decide whether to invest more in a CPU or other vital gaming components like a graphics card. To speed up the process, remember to consider these characteristics which vary dramatically among processors.
Clock Speed and Cores
Clock speed isn’t the only spec that determines how capable a CPU is, but it’s important regardless. TheAMD Ryzen 5 7600Xhas one of the highest base clock speeds out of the budget contenders at 4.7 GHz. Its six-core configuration is nothing to scoff at, but it especially excels at the single-core performance that many games demand. On the other hand, the Intel Core i5 14400F CPU is a perfect processor for power users looking to game from time to time. The 13th-generation processor thrives not only in games but also in intensive productivity tasks thanks to its total of 14 cores handling 20 threads in a 12+8 config.
Overclocking
Most of the processors in this guide are overclockable, meaning that their base clock speeds can be pushed beyond their stock values. Intel CPUs with a K in their labels (like theCore i5 14600KF) are easily boosted and are even encouraged to do so by the manufacturer with suggested safeguards. However, buyers of the rebadgedIntel Core i3-14100Fwill find that its core multiplier is locked, severely limiting its overclocking potential. Gamers need to also be aware of the thermal requirements of overclocked CPUs and should consider adequate air coolers or even budget AIO liquid coolers in some instances.
Compatibility
Finding the best budget CPU for gaming won’t matter without the right components to support it. TheAMD Ryzen 5 5600Xcalls for slightly older motherboards using the AM4 socket and DDR4 memory. More recent AMD CPUs like the Ryzen 7600X or 8600G demand AM5 motherboards and even faster DDR5 RAM. In some cases, motherboards may need a BIOS update to support the newest hardware, such as AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series' X3D refresh as well as Intel’s 13th and 14th generation CPUs.
Integrated Graphics
Relying on a CPU with an integrated graphics chip often causes some debate, especially when assembling a budget gaming PC. In most circumstances, gamers are better off purchasinga budget discrete graphics cardthey can afford. Still, one reason why theAMD Ryzen 5 7600earned a recommendation in this guide is that its onboard Radeon graphics controller is surprisingly capable of pumping out decent frame rates in some esports titles without a dedicated GPU in play.
Whichever budget gaming CPU in this guide that a buyer ultimately decides on, it can help an affordable gaming rig punch its weight without bottlenecks in play for its price range irrespective of the choice.
Upgradeability
Buying a new CPU is not an isolated purchase; it must be paired to a supporting motherboard, and therefore a CPU socket. While the CPU is the brains of the operation, users might want to consider whether the tech it directly supports can handle future upgrades and performance gain potential. Ideally, users want a CPU that supports DDR5 memory natively while also offering PCI-E 5.0 support for GPUs and SSDs. This allows a degree of future-proofing that enables other PC gaming upgrades to deliver the maximum performance gains they potentially bring to the table.
This is also why Game Rant’s budget gaming CPU guide features a significantly higher number of DDR5 and PCI-E 5.0 compatible CPUs, allowing for easier motherboard, memory, and GPU upgrades versus CPUs on more legacy chipsets (like the AMD AM4)such as the Ryzen 5 5600X, which will see its upgrade potential capped to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, at best, in the coming months.
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest budget gaming CPU?
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, leveraging its larger L3 cache and newer Zen 4 cores, is currently one of the fastest AMD processors that’s also relatively affordable.
Q: Is an integrated GPU needed for gaming in 2023?
Yes and no. While the iGPU generally is disregarded by gamers, it is a handy alternative for some when trading up GPUs, allowing them to sell their older GPU before upgrading to a newer one. It is equally valuable for diagnosing PC issues at times, allowing users to eliminate the discrete GPU as a cause of any errors by allowing an alternate display option.
