by Want to find the best CPU for $200? You are in the right place.
Updated: March 17, 2023 3:38 PM
We know times are tough, or maybe you just don’t want to spend that much on a CPU. Whatever your reason, we’ve got the best CPU for $200. So sit back and relax, because we’ve done all the hard work for you.
Now reading: Best CPU under $100
There are many CPUs out there and which type you get should be determined by the workload you have in mind. If you mainly want to play games, then you want to look for a strong Single-core CPU. if you’re looking for productivity, Multi-core is the way to go.
What to look for in a $200 processor
Depending on who you ask, a $200 CPU can be considered budget or mid-range. That said, you can find some pretty powerful processors for the price of $200 these days.
Unfortunately, at current market prices, you’re unlikely to find a processor from the latest Intel 13th Gen or Ryzen 7000 series within $200, the only exception being the entry-level Core i3-13100, which costs just over $100.
However, you can find excellent options in the previous generations. These processors are now a year or two old, but they still have all the latest features and their naturally reduced price means you get excellent value for money.
Best CPU Under $200: Things to Consider
When trying to shop on a very tight budget, it will be necessary to make certain compromises to cut costs. These compromises can include factors such as processor cores, clock speed, and possibly even buying used items to save money.
Here are a few key factors to consider when looking for the best CPU options under $200.
Cores and wires
The CPU relies on its cores to execute instructions and perform calculations. The number of cores determines how many tasks the CPU can perform at once, which translates into more efficient and faster task processing. Applications that benefit from multiple cores, such as video editing and rendering software, can run faster and more efficiently.
Threads function as virtual cores that allow a single physical core to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. CPUs that support multi-threading can handle more tasks simultaneously than CPUs without, resulting in better performance and faster processing times.
The number of cores and threads are both critical to the CPU performance in various tasks. CPUs with more cores and support for multi-threading tend to perform well in tasks that require a lot of parallelism, such as gaming, video editing, or scientific simulations. However, CPUs with fewer cores but higher clock speeds may provide better performance for tasks that require single-threaded performance, such as certain gaming or office applications.
Core speed
CPU clock speed refers to the speed at which a CPU can perform processing cycles, usually measured in GHz. It determines how many instructions the CPU can execute per second, with higher clock speeds resulting in faster processing times. However, clock speed is only one factor that affects overall CPU performance, and other factors such as number of cores, cache size, and thermal design power also play a vital role in determining a CPU’s capabilities.
CPU generation
The generation of a CPU refers to the design and iteration of the architecture. As technology advances, each new generation introduces improvements in performance and efficiency, including a greater number of cores, higher clock speeds, and better power efficiency.
Recent CPU generations are usually built with better architectures that allow for faster and more efficient processing of instructions. They may also have additional features such as integrated graphics, advanced security, or compatibility with newer technologies such as PCIe 5.0 or USB 4. In addition, modern CPU generations are often manufactured using smaller process nodes, resulting in lower power consumption and improved thermal performance.
CPU socket
A computer’s motherboard features a CPU socket, a physical interface that houses the CPU and allows it to communicate with other components, such as memory, storage drives, and expansion cards. Each CPU has its own size, shape, and electrical characteristics that correspond to a specific socket type on the motherboard.
It is essential to verify that the CPU and motherboard socket type are compatible when installing or upgrading a CPU. Failure to do so may result in a CPU that does not fit properly or function properly.
After considering these factors, the next step is to select the best CPU under $200. However, the question remains: which CPU should you choose?
Best CPU under $200
Here we will present what we think are the best CPUs for $200 or less, we will divide them into three categories to better serve you with the best CPU for $200.
The best CPU for $200 has to be the Ryzen 5 5600X
Ryzen 5 5600X
The best CPU under $200 is the Ryzen 5 5600X. This is the “X” variant of the base Ryzen 5 5600 model and has improved clock speeds.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Advantages
- Set to outperform the 10600K
- Great value for money
- Unlocked overclocking
cons
- Slightly more expensive than what we’re used to from AMD’s mid-range offerings
- Requires CPU cooler
The clock speed of a processor represents the frequency at which it can execute instructions. Simply put, it is a statistic that tells us how fast a processor is.
The Ryzen 5 5600X has a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz and a maximum clock speed of 4.6 GHz. These numbers were considered excellent when the processor was released in 2020 and are still holding up quite well, allowing strong performance under heavy single-thread workloads.
Like most other mainstream Ryzen 5 processors, the Ryzen 5 5600X has a 6-core, 12-thread setup. SMT (Simultaneous Multi-threading) allows each CPU core to serve two threads simultaneously, improving the processor’s ability to multitask. However, almost all modern AMD processors have this feature.
How many cores and threads a processor has has a different impact on performance depending on the workload.
For gaming, 6 cores and 12 threads are considered by many to be the perfect amount of cores and threads. Adding more threads to a processor noticeably improves performance only up to a point. So if gaming is the only intent, 12-threaded processors can do the job just fine. In fact, they are the optimal choice.
The Ryzen 5 5600X is a powerful gaming processor that is perfect for gaming in 1080p and 1440p with high frame rates. 4K gaming isn’t out of the question either, as long as you pair the processor with a strong enough graphics card. Be sure to consider your monitor’s resolution while considering a GPU to avoid unexpected bottlenecks.
Best CPU under $200 for gaming
The AMD G Series stands out from the crowd for its compatibility with AMD FSR and other software upgrades. AMD FSR is known to improve performance even on lower end GPUs.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Advantages
- Cheap
- Great iGPU for the price
- benefits of FSR
cons
- Not as powerful as the 5600X
Designed for those on a tight budget, the Ryzen 5 5600G is an inexpensive option that offers similar gaming performance to its predecessor, the 3400G. What sets it apart is the inclusion of more efficient design, cores and threads.
The Ryzen 5 5600G is equipped with 6 cores and 12 threads, clocked at a base of 3.9 GHz and a boost of 4.4 GHz, accompanied by 16 MB of L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache. Its 65 W TDP includes AMD’s VEGA 7 iGPU, which features 448 stream processors and is clocked at 1.9 GHz.
While some might consider Vega 7 a step back, the increased efficiency compensates for the reduction in the number of cores, resulting in undiminished graphics performance.
For an APU, the Ryzen 5 5600G is one of the best bargains out there. At the time of writing, you can buy a brand new 5600G for around $120, and buying one will eliminate the need to purchase a GPU.
When paired with a GPU, the 5600G functions like a slightly less powerful 5600X, with the same number of cores and threads but slightly less speed. The 5600X is still an exceptional processor, so having a CPU that performs just slightly below it can still lead to a fantastic CPU.
Best CPU under $200 for productivity
This is the best productivity CPU you can get for the $200 price tag. There are plenty of CPUs out there, but not many can do what the 12400 does for such a good price.
Intel i5-12400
Intel Core i5-12400
Advantages
- Great performance for the money
- Low energy consumption
- Comes with a cooler
The i5-12400 is part of the 12th generation Core series of processors and has the lowest clock speed compared to other 12th, 11th and 10th generation Core processors, but it is still the best CPU under $200. While its low base clock speed of 2.4 GHz may mean it’s not as fast as some of the more expensive CPUs, it consumes less power and is fast enough for gaming and other demanding tasks.
The CPU can detect increased demand and ramp it up to a much higher clock speed of up to 4.4 GHz, but it needs more efficient cooling to maintain optimal performance. However, this is not an unlocked processor, so it cannot be overclocked.
Note that the 12th generation requires a different socket type than Intel’s 10th and 11th generations, and many compatible motherboards are configured for more expensive and faster DDR5 sticks.
Overall, the Intel Core i5-12400 is the best CPU under $200 in 2023, with great performance, low power consumption, and easy cooling. In addition, it is compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, making it easy to upgrade to faster memory in the future.
Is a $200 CPU Worth It?
Whether a $200 CPU is worth it depends on several factors, such as your specific needs and budget, the tasks you plan to perform, and the overall performance of the CPU.
If you’re a casual user who just needs a computer to surf the web, check email, and use basic office applications, a $200 CPU might be overkill. You can probably get by with a less powerful and cheaper CPU.
However, if you are a gamer or a professional who needs a powerful computer for tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations, then a $200 CPU could be a worthwhile investment. CPUs in this price range often offer strong performance and advanced features such as multi-core processing and hyper-threading that can greatly improve the speed and efficiency of complex tasks.
Overall, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget when deciding whether a $200 CPU is worth it. You should also research and compare different models to determine which CPU offers the best performance and value for money.
Last word
Whatever you choose, you are in good hands. Each of these CPUs is well suited to the tasks we’ve assigned them, and you can be sure they’ll get the job done just right. We appreciate that times are tough, or that you may not want to spend more than $200 on a CPU, but we implore you to do so if you can, as the CPU is the most important part of any PC. You won’t get very far without one.
