Best Budget Cpu: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

Navigating the world of PC components can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to find the best budget CPU that doesn’t compromise on performance. As avid PC builders and testers, we’ve spent countless hours benchmarking and pushing processors to their limits to find the sweet spot between price and power. After rigorous evaluation, we’re crowning the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor 3D V Cache as our top pick. Its revolutionary 3D V-Cache technology provides a massive performance uplift in gaming that simply can’t be matched at its price point, making it the undisputed champion for gamers building a high-performance rig without breaking the bank.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Budget Cpu

#1 AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor 3D V Cache – Ideal for: Uncompromised Gaming Performance

From the moment we installed the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor 3D V Cache, it was clear this CPU is in a league of its own for gaming. The headline feature is AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, which stacks an enormous 96MB of L3 cache onto the chip, bringing the total to 104MB. In our testing, this translated into dramatically higher and smoother frame rates in CPU-bound games like tactical shooters and large-scale strategy titles. It effortlessly handled every game we threw at it, even when paired with a top-tier GPU, eliminating bottlenecks entirely. Many users confirmed our findings, calling it a “game-changer” and the “epitome of the gaming world” for its price point. While its 8 cores and 16 threads are more than capable for everyday multitasking and content creation, its true purpose is to deliver an elite gaming experience. Installation on the AM5 socket was straightforward, and we found it ran relatively cool under load with a decent aftermarket cooler. It’s important to note that a cooler is not included, so you’ll need to factor that into your budget.

#2 Intel Core i9-9900K Processor – Ideal for: High-End LGA 1151 System Upgrades

The Intel Core i9-9900K Processor was a titan in its day, and for users still on the LGA 1151 platform, it remains a formidable upgrade. During our tests, this 8-core, 16-thread CPU demonstrated its all-around prowess, handling both intense gaming sessions and demanding productivity tasks with ease. It boosts up to 5.0 GHz, which kept it feeling snappy and responsive even with modern applications. We found it to be a powerhouse for video rendering and compiling code, a sentiment echoed by users who noted significant reductions in their workflow times. However, this performance comes at a cost: heat. We can’t stress enough the need for a high-quality cooling solution, preferably a 240mm AIO liquid cooler or a top-tier air cooler, as this chip runs hot under load. Several users confirmed our experience, noting temperatures reaching over 90°C with inadequate cooling. While newer platforms have surpassed it, if you’re looking to max out a Z390 motherboard without a full system overhaul, the Intel Core i9-9900K Processor is a monster that still has plenty of fight left in it.

#3 Intel Core i7 9700K Processor – Ideal for: Pure Gaming on an Older Platform

The Intel Core i7 9700K Processor represents a solid, no-frills gaming choice for those invested in the LGA 1151 ecosystem. With 8 physical cores, it delivered strong gaming performance in our tests, reaching a turbo frequency of 4.9 GHz that kept frame rates high and stable. We found it to be a significant step up from older quad-core processors, making it a great drop-in upgrade for anyone running a 4th or 6th generation i5 or i7. Users who made a similar jump praised the noticeable improvement in modern games. However, its main limitation is the lack of hyper-threading, meaning it has 8 threads to match its 8 cores. While this is perfectly fine for most games, we noticed it fell behind its hyper-threaded competitors in heavy multitasking and content creation workloads like video editing. Like its i9 sibling, it requires a decent cooler to keep temperatures in check, though we found it slightly easier to manage. If your primary use is gaming and you want to breathe new life into a Z390 build, the Intel Core i7 9700K Processor offers a great balance of speed and value.

#4 Intel Core i7-12700K Desktop Processor – Ideal for: Balanced Gaming and Productivity Builds

The Intel Core i7-12700K Desktop Processor marked a major turning point with its innovative hybrid architecture. In our hands-on testing, the combination of 8 Performance-cores (P-cores) and 4 Efficient-cores (E-cores) proved to be incredibly effective. The P-cores chewed through demanding games and single-threaded applications, while the E-cores handled background tasks seamlessly, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and responsive user experience. We were able to game, stream, and run multiple applications without a hitch. This versatility was a common point of praise among users, many of whom noted it was a “ferocious beast” that crushed all tasks given to it. The LGA 1700 socket opens the door to modern features like DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, offering a great foundation for a new build. As expected for a K-series chip, it runs warm, so a quality cooler is non-negotiable. We tested it with a high-end air cooler and an AIO, both of which kept temperatures under control. For anyone building a new PC that needs to be a master of all trades, this CPU is a fantastic choice.

#5 AMD Ryzensets 7 5700X3D 100Mb Cache Processor – Ideal for: Ultimate AM4 Platform Gaming Upgrade

For PC builders still running an AM4 motherboard, the AMD Ryzensets 7 5700X3D 100Mb Cache Processor is nothing short of a revelation. It effectively brings the game-changing 3D V-Cache technology to a more accessible and mature platform. We swapped out an older Ryzen 5 3600 for this chip in one of our test benches, and the results were astounding. Games that were previously bottlenecked by the CPU saw a massive uplift in performance, with smoother frame rates and significantly improved 1% lows. Our experience was confirmed by numerous users who described the upgrade as making their gameplay “so much faster and smoother.” This 8-core, 16-thread processor provides an incredible gaming boost for a fraction of the cost of a full platform migration to AM5. While its clock speeds are slightly lower than the flagship 5800X3D, in our gaming benchmarks, the difference was often negligible, making this a phenomenal value proposition. It’s the perfect, final upgrade to maximize the life and performance of a beloved AM4 build without starting from scratch.

#6 AMD RYZEN 7 9800X 3D Desktop Processor – Ideal for: Cutting-Edge Gaming Enthusiasts

When only the absolute best will do for gaming, the AMD RYZEN 7 9800X 3D Desktop Processor enters the conversation. As the successor to our top pick, this CPU takes everything that made the 7800X3D great and refines it with the newer Zen 5 architecture. In our testing, it claimed the title of the fastest gaming CPU on the market. The combination of the new architecture and the massive 104MB of 3D V-Cache delivered unbelievably high frame rates and imperceptible 1% lows. As one user aptly put it, “holy my fps is insane.” The smoothness in competitive, high-refresh-rate gaming is palpable. We also found it to be surprisingly efficient, with many users reporting temperatures staying well below 70°C under a solid AIO cooler, even during intense gaming sessions. While it carries a premium price tag that places it at the very edge of the “budget” category, for those building a no-compromise gaming rig who want the ultimate competitive edge and the latest technology, the performance of the AMD RYZEN 7 9800X 3D Desktop Processor is simply undeniable.

#7 Intel Core i7-12700KF CPU – Ideal for: Value-Oriented Gaming Builds with a Dedicated GPU

The Intel Core i7-12700KF CPU is a savvy choice for builders who know they’ll be using a dedicated graphics card. It offers the exact same core architecture and performance as its K-series counterpart—12 cores (8P+4E) and 20 threads—but saves you money by omitting the integrated graphics. In our performance benchmarks, we found it to be identical to the 12700K in every gaming and productivity task, making it a fantastic value. Paired with a decent GPU, this processor is a beast, easily handling AAA titles at high settings while simultaneously managing background applications. We found installation on an LGA 1700 motherboard to be simple, and it responded well to overclocking, though as with its sibling, a powerful cooling solution is essential to unlock its full potential. Many users have lauded it as offering “the best high performance under a budget.” If you’re building a gaming PC from scratch and have already allocated funds for a discrete graphics card, choosing the KF variant is a smart way to redirect some of your budget towards other components without sacrificing an ounce of processing power.

#8 Intel Core i7-7700K CPU – Ideal for: Retro Builds and Light Use

The Intel Core i7-7700K CPU is a true classic from the Kaby Lake era. While it was a top-tier gaming processor in its prime, it’s important to set modern expectations. In our labs, we tested it to see how it holds up today. With 4 cores and 8 threads boosting to 4.5 GHz, it can still handle lighter esports titles and older games quite well, providing a decent experience for a retro or ultra-budget build. We found it to be a capable chip for general office work and web browsing. However, it struggled significantly in modern, CPU-intensive AAA games and heavy multitasking scenarios, where its core count limitation becomes a clear bottleneck. One of its infamous traits was its tendency to run hot, a fact we confirmed in testing; a good aftermarket cooler is a must. Many long-time users noted it was a “huge upgrade” from even older CPUs at the time. Today, its main appeal is as a cheap drop-in upgrade for an existing Z270 motherboard, giving an older system a final boost for light use without a complete rebuild.

#9 Intel Core i7 12700K 12 Core CPU – Ideal for: Content Creators and Power Users

The Intel Core i7 12700K 12 Core CPU is a processing powerhouse designed for those who demand performance beyond just gaming. Leveraging its 12-core, 20-thread configuration, we put it through a gauntlet of productivity benchmarks, including video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. It excelled in every test, with its P-cores and E-cores working in perfect harmony to accelerate workflows and reduce render times. As one power user described it, when you throw many tasks at it, you “will receive message saying ‘is that all u got’.” This is not an exaggeration; the multi-threaded performance is truly impressive and offers a near-flagship experience for a more palatable price. Of course, it’s also a phenomenal gaming CPU, delivering high, stable frame rates across the board. The LGA 1700 platform provides access to cutting-edge features, making it a solid foundation for a high-performance workstation that doubles as a gaming rig. Just be prepared to invest in a premium cooling solution to keep this beast tamed when pushing all 20 threads to their limit.

#10 AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Processor 65W – Ideal for: Efficient and Powerful Modern Builds

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Processor 65W is a marvel of modern efficiency. Built on the latest Zen 5 architecture, this 8-core, 16-thread CPU delivers outstanding performance while maintaining a remarkably low 65W TDP. In our testing, this translated to significantly lower temperatures and power consumption compared to its higher-wattage rivals, making it an ideal candidate for small form factor (SFF) builds or for users who are conscious of their energy bills. Despite its efficiency, it is no slouch. We found it to be incredibly fast in both single-core and multi-core applications, easily handling demanding games and productivity workloads. Several users were impressed, noting that it “works like a charm” and “runs super cool.” With a bit of tweaking in the BIOS, as some reviewers have noted, it can punch well above its weight class, rivaling more expensive chips. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Processor 65W represents a fantastic balance, offering next-generation performance without the need for an extreme cooling solution or a massive power supply.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Core and Thread Count: For gaming, 6 to 8 cores is the current sweet spot. For productivity tasks like video editing or streaming, more cores and threads (12+) will provide a significant advantage by allowing the CPU to handle more tasks simultaneously.
• Clock Speed: Measured in gigahertz (GHz), this indicates how many cycles a CPU can perform per second. A higher clock speed is generally better for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as many video games. Look for both the base clock and the boost clock.
• Socket Compatibility: The CPU socket on your motherboard must match the CPU you buy. Common modern sockets include AM5 for newer AMD CPUs and LGA 1700 for recent Intel CPUs. Always check compatibility before purchasing.
• Cache Size: CPU cache is a small amount of super-fast memory on the processor itself. For gaming, a larger L3 cache can make a huge difference, as seen in AMD’s X3D processors.
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): This is the maximum amount of heat a CPU generates under load, measured in watts. A higher TDP means the CPU will require a more powerful (and often more expensive) cooling solution to prevent overheating.
• Integrated Graphics: Some CPUs include a built-in graphics processor (iGPU). This is useful if you are not buying a separate, dedicated graphics card, as it allows your computer to display an image. For gaming, an iGPU is rarely sufficient, and models without one (like Intel’s KF-series) can offer better value if you have a dedicated GPU.

Understanding 3D V-Cache Technology

One of the most significant recent innovations in CPU technology is AMD’s 3D V-Cache. In a standard CPU, the L3 cache (a critical pool of fast memory) is laid out flat on the chip. With 3D V-Cache, AMD stacks an additional layer of L3 cache directly on top of the existing cache, vertically connecting them. This dramatically increases the total amount of L3 cache available to the CPU cores—from around 32MB on a standard chip to 96MB or more on an X3D model. For PC gaming, this is a revolutionary advantage. Games constantly access large amounts of data, and having a massive, ultra-fast cache right next to the cores means the CPU doesn’t have to wait for data from the slower system RAM. This results in significantly higher frame rates, and more importantly, much smoother gameplay with fewer stutters (improved 1% lows).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the Motherboard: Buying a powerful CPU but pairing it with a cheap, low-end motherboard can throttle performance. Ensure your motherboard has a robust VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) to deliver clean power, especially for high-end or overclocked CPUs.
• Forgetting a Cooler: Many high-performance and budget-oriented CPUs today do not come with a stock cooler. Assuming one is included can lead to a surprise when you build your PC. Always check the product listing and budget for an adequate aftermarket air or liquid cooler.
• Creating a Bottleneck: Don’t pair a top-of-the-line CPU with a very old or weak graphics card (or vice-versa). A balanced system where the CPU and GPU are well-matched in performance will deliver the best overall experience.
• Overspending on Unneeded Features: If you only plan to game, you may not need a 16-core CPU. Conversely, if you are a content creator, a CPU with superior gaming performance but weaker multi-core speed might not be the best choice. Buy the CPU that fits your primary use case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cheap CPU for gaming in the UK?

For gamers on a budget in the UK, the AMD Ryzensets 7 5700X3D 100Mb Cache Processor is an outstanding choice, especially if you are upgrading an existing AM4 system. It delivers gaming performance that rivals much more expensive processors thanks to its 3D V-Cache, providing exceptional value. For a new build, the Intel Core i7-12700KF CPU also offers a fantastic price-to-performance ratio if you have a dedicated graphics card.

Can a budget CPU handle modern AAA games?

Absolutely. Modern budget CPUs, particularly those with 6 or 8 cores, are more than capable of handling today’s AAA games. The key is balance. Paired with a suitable mid-range graphics card, a good budget CPU will provide a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience at 1080p and even 1440p resolutions.

Do budget CPUs come with a stock cooler?

It varies. Some lower-end or non-overclockable CPUs from both Intel and AMD may include a stock cooler that is adequate for basic operation. However, many enthusiast-focused and “unlocked” budget CPUs (like Intel’s K-series or AMD’s X-series) do not. It is critical to check the product description to see if a cooler is included in the box.

What are the best CPUs with integrated graphics?

Most standard Intel Core processors (those without an ‘F’ suffix) and all of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series processors come with integrated graphics. For general use, these are perfectly fine. AMD’s integrated RDNA graphics are generally considered more powerful and can even handle some light gaming at low settings, making them a great option for a build without a dedicated graphics card.

What’s a good upgrade path from a budget CPU?

A good upgrade path depends on your platform. If you build on AMD’s AM5 socket, you have a clear path to future Ryzen processors. If you start with a budget 12th Gen Intel CPU on an LGA 1700 motherboard, you can often upgrade to a more powerful 13th or 14th Gen CPU later with a simple BIOS update. Choosing a modern platform is key to ensuring future upgrade options.

How much should I spend on a budget CPU for a new PC build?

For a solid budget gaming build in the UK, expect to spend between £150 and £300 on a CPU. This price range offers excellent performance with processors that have 6 to 8 cores, which will not bottleneck a mid-range graphics card and will provide a great experience for years to come.

Are older generation CPUs a good deal for a budget build?

They can be, but with caveats. An older-generation CPU like the Intel Core i9-9900K Processor can be a powerful heart for a PC if you get it for a good price and already have a compatible motherboard. However, for a brand-new build, it’s often better to go with a newer-generation budget CPU, as it will be on a more modern platform with better features and a clearer upgrade path.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After extensive testing and careful consideration of performance, value, and user feedback, we are confident in our final recommendation. The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor 3D V Cache stands out as the definitive best budget CPU for the vast majority of PC builders, especially those who prioritize gaming. Its innovative 3D V-Cache delivers a level of gaming performance that was previously reserved for processors costing twice as much. It consistently eliminates CPU bottlenecks, providing smoother frame rates and a more responsive experience. By choosing the AM5 platform, you are also investing in a modern ecosystem with support for DDR5 memory and a clear upgrade path for the future. For its unmatched gaming prowess at a competitive price, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor 3D V Cache is our unequivocal top choice.