Modern processors are incredibly powerful, and you don’t necessarily need to invest in a high-end model to get a great chip. The best budget CPUs can deliver excellent performance in both gaming and productivity tasks. Additionally, you don’t want to limit yourself to an older platform. Our top budget CPUs not only provide outstanding performance today but also offer great potential for future upgrades.
If you’re interested in the best CPUs overall, check out our list of the top processors for 2024.
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AMD Ryzen 7600X
Best budget processor for most
Pros
- Six high-performance Zen 4 cores
- Lots of upgrade potential
- Affordable price
- Energy efficient
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is one of the best budget CPUs from AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 generation. Despite being priced at $200, it stands out as the top budget CPU option for most users. With six high-performance Zen 4 cores, it can reach speeds close to 5GHz, ideal for both gaming and other tasks. Additionally, with a low TDP of 105W, it is suitable for compact systems. It also includes a built-in GPU, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card for basic tasks.
Being part of AMD’s new AM5 socket, the 7600X offers excellent upgrade opportunities. With just a simple BIOS update, you can seamlessly upgrade to a new CPU in the future without having to replace the entire motherboard.
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