5 Best Budget CPUs in 2024

Affordable and high-quality CPUs.

A motherboard is one of the most important components of a PC, but each motherboard requires a good CPU. The Central Processing Unit defines the capability of a computer to handle much data fast and lag-free. The main aspects to pay attention to when selecting the best budget CPU are the number of required cores, the purpose you are going to use a PC for, the type of software you are going to run, the compatibility of a processor and its speed.

Once you have considered various types of CPUs, you should learn the specs and features offered by different processors, as not all of them perform equally well. You should also define what features and specifications are your priority and how they will affect the functionality of your PC. This guide will introduce to your attention the seven best budget processors.

Power Source: 6 | Polar patterns: 12 | Connectivity: 4.0 GHz | Frequency response: 4.2 GHz

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor is the latest high performance desktop processor available in the market. Every gamer wants a processor that will satisfy not only their desires but also perform to the fullest.

The six-core processor from AMD comes with a brand new AMD-designed chip interface that has enhanced the connection between the motherboard and the processor. The interface has been enhanced further with AMD's vented processor heat sink that is capable of cooling the CPU and the integrated memory cooler that take care of the integrated memory modules while the processor is working. The total cooling capacity is rated at 140 W, and this allows the system to run even without a cooling pad. All these features make the Ryzen 5 3600 is a powerful desktop processor that can easily meet your demanding needs of having a fast processor and a cool desktop PC.

Power Source: 4 | Polar patterns: 8 | Connectivity: 3.6 GHz | Frequency response: 4.3 GHz

Intel Core i3-10100 is a processor made by Intel for their budget minded customers. It is the latest addition to the range of Intel Core processors and is designed for the average PC user who does not require extreme performance, but would still like high quality for their computing needs.

The new Core i3 10100 has a dual-core processor, featuring Intel Gen CPU architecture and a base frequency of 3.6 Ghz. Coming in at only a little more than a hundred dollars, this places it just in the price range of the average PC user, with plenty of room to grow in terms of performance as new and modern multi-core designs come out. The base clock speeds are steady and remain quite low, which is a good thing, as these low clock speeds can be great for overclocking and making use of overclockers tools that allow for higher core counts.

Power Source: 4 | Polar patterns: 8 | Connectivity: 3.6 GHz | Frequency response: 4.0 GHz

AMD's new, high-end AMD Ryzen processor family is built for price points that will suit just about everyone. The 3200G offers good basic performance for the casual PC user, while the other processor options will give you more options and functionality.

The AMD Ryzen 3200G has two different speeds for each of the three CPU cores, allowing it to scale up to four CPU cores if needed. However, it only has a single core Turbo multiplier for all three of the cores, which can limit how much you'll be able to overclock your processor.

Power Source: 6 | Polar patterns: 12 | Connectivity: 2.9 GHz | Frequency response: 4.3 GHz

The new Intel Core i5-10400 is the latest and greatest little processor available for your desktop PC. It's packing quite a wallop in the performance department and with its six cores, twelve threads, and two threads per core you are sure to make a lot of speed gains over your current processor.

If you don't mind sacrificing a bit of processing power, the Intel Core i5-10400 is an excellent option. Use this processor in conjunction with a powerful graphics card, solid state hard drives with RAID and high capacity memory to get the most out of your gaming PC. If you do that, you'll be very pleased with both the speed and the performance.

Power Source: 8 | Polar patterns: 16 | Connectivity: 3.8 GHz | Frequency response: 5.1 GHz

The Intel Core i7-10700K processor is one of the most popular choices among PC gamers. These powerful and efficient processors are great for hardcore gamers who demand the very best in performance and features when it comes to their games and video card performance.

The new Intel Core i7-10700K is the first of its kind with two additional Thermal Throttle technologies that allow the processor to run at a balanced overclock frequency while keeping temperatures steady.

Intel and AMD upgrade their processing units with a new architecture regularly. The Intel 10th Gen Core Series, like the Core i5-10600K and higher-end Core i9 10900K, is the latest generation. Many models of CPUs from the Ryzen 3000 line (AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, Ryzen 7 3800X, Ryzen 7 3700X, Ryzen 3 3300X) are fitted with the latest AMD chips. You can check the generation of a CPU by looking at the first figure of its model number. For example, the Core i7-8400 is the 8th Gen processor.

Many users like running a processor to its full capacity at extremely high clock speeds. However, if you are not an enthusiast who wants to check how fast your chip can function without failures, overclocking is probably not the practice you want to try.

To overclock the speed of the best budget CPU, you should be ready to spend money on a better cooling system and a high-end motherboard that allows overclocking. Almost all AMD chips can be overclocked to some scale, but if you prefer an Intel processor, you should be ready to shell out some extra bucks for a model from its K-series, which is not fitted with a cooler.

Since not everyone can buy a high-end processor, many users prefer a budget CPU, which offers higher clock rates and does not cost more than $50-$100. Besides, even if you have a compatible motherboard and a good cooling system, you might still buy a processor that can’t be overclocked. If you are an inexperienced user, the situation might well get worse, as you can damage your CPU or reduce its lifespan by overclocking it too much.