Processors cheap: Best Cheap CPUs of 2022, Tested and Ranked — Tom’s Hardware

AMD is returning to budget CPUs with $99-and-up Ryzen 4000 and 5000 chips

Enlarge

AMD

When AMD introduced its first Ryzen 5000-series chips and the Zen 3 architecture in late 2020, the lineup notably did not include any new CPUs below $300. If you wanted cheaper chips, your best bet was to go with previous-generation chips like the Ryzen 3600, 3300X, and 3100. But those processors have been difficult or even impossible to find for months, and renewed competition from sub-$200 12th-generation Intel CPUs like the Core i3-12100 and Core i5-12400 have made them a lot less appealing.

That’s changing soon. AMD is releasing a slew of processors priced between $99 and $299 that should be suitable for new budget builds or upgrades to existing PCs. The Ryzen 5000-series chips are all based on AMD’s aging-but-still-current Zen 3 architecture, while the cheapest chips reuse the 2019-era Zen 2 architecture to keep prices low.

AMD says that all of these chips will be available on April 4, a couple of weeks before the high-end Ryzen 7 5800X3D. All Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 models come with AMD’s Wraith Stealth cooler, while you’ll need to buy one for the Ryzen 7 CPU.

CPU (new models emphasized)	MSRP	Architecture	Cores/threads	Clocks (Base/Boost)	Total cache (L2+L3)
Ryzen 3 4100	$99	Zen 2	4c/8t	3.8/4.0	6MB
Ryzen 3 3100	$99	Zen 2	4c/8t	3.6/3.9	17MB
Ryzen 5 4500	$129	Zen 2	6c/12t	3.6/4.1	11MB
Ryzen 5 4600G	$154	Zen 2	6c/12t	3.7/4.2	11MB
Ryzen 5 5600G	$259	Zen 3	6c/12t	3.9/4.4	19MB
Ryzen 5 5500	$159	Zen 3	6c/12t	3. 6/4.2	19MB
Ryzen 5 5600	$199	Zen 3	6c/12t	3.5/4.4	35MB
Ryzen 5 3600	$199	Zen 2	6c/12t	3.6/4.2	35MB
Ryzen 5 5600X	$299	Zen 3	6c/12t	3.7/4.6	35MB
Ryzen 7 5700X	$299	Zen 3	8c/16t	3.4/4.6	36MB
Ryzen 7 5800X	$350	Zen 3	8c/16t	3.8/4.7	36MB

The Ryzen 4100 and 4500 are AMD’s first Ryzen 4000-series chips without integrated graphics—previous Ryzen 4000 chips were all APUs that were sold in OEM PCs but that never actually came to the retail market. But their relatively small amount of cache suggests that these are just Ryzen 4000 APUs with the integrated graphics shut off, so you can expect them to perform a little bit worse in some workloads than other Zen 2 processors with similar clock speeds and core counts (AMD is lumping each chip’s L2 and L3 cache together in its slides, so we’ve done the same for consistency’s sake).

Enlarge / AMD is releasing new Zen 2-based CPUs to fill in the cheapest holes in its processor lineup.

AMD

Moving on to the Ryzen 4600G, it does appear to be the exact same chip that AMD has been selling to the PC companies for a couple of years now. The 4600G is nothing mind-blowing, but its $150-ish price tag and its still-decent Vega-integrated GPU might make it an appealing option if you’re upgrading an old Ryzen 2400G or 3400G build, or if you’re putting together a superlow-budget gaming PC for Minecraft or Fortnite.

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The budget Zen 3 chips get more interesting—at $200, the Ryzen 5 5600 is a true replacement for the old Ryzen 5 3600 that should be nearly as fast as the 5600X, since the two have the exact same core count and cache. The 5700X occupies a similar spot relative to the 5800X: a bit cheaper, nearly as fast. Meanwhile, the $159 Ryzen 5 5500 loses some cache but should still be a solid upgrade over the Ryzen 5 4500 for just $30 more.

Enlarge / New Zen 3-based CPUs finally fill in the spots below the $300 Ryzen 5600X in AMD’s lineup.

AMD

AMD’s lack of newer budget Ryzen processors can be blamed in part on the chip shortage—manufacturing capacity is limited, and AMD decided to prioritize big PC makers like HP and Lenovo with its lower-end desktop chips rather than splitting them between the PC makers and the retail channel. But that absence was also because, for the first time since the mid-2000s, AMD’s Ryzen 5000-series chips had an indisputable manufacturing and performance advantage over Intel. It’s no coincidence that AMD’s return to sub-$250 processors is happening just as Intel is becoming competitive again.

For cash-strapped enthusiasts still using X370 or B350 motherboards, today’s CPU announcements come with another bit of good news: AMD is officially allowing these old motherboards to support Ryzen 4000- and 5000-series CPUs with a BIOS update. These older boards may struggle to run high-end 8-, 12-, and 16-core Ryzen chips at their full speeds, but they ought to be ideally suited to handle these less power-hungry 4- and 6-core CPUs.

Whether all of these processors will be replaced by budget-friendly Ryzen 7000 CPUs later this fall is anyone’s guess. But the most likely outcome is that the same conditions that made Zen 3 processors so pricey—chip shortages plus AMD knowing it can charge a premium for its fastest parts—will make the first wave of Zen 4 chips pretty expensive, too.

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When you open a program on your computer the processor executes this command. At BT Shop we have the latest high quality Intel and AMD processors for sale.

Slow computers are often due to processors that just can’t handle the demands placed upon it. This could be down to age or may be due to the memory capacity. One resolution to the problem is to buy new processors and we have a vast collection of quality HP, AMD and Intel processors to choose from.

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AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 4. 35 GHz 8-core 16 threads — 20 MB c

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 4.35 GHz 8-core 16 threads — 20 MB c

• 
  Socket: Socket AM4
  




• 
  Type: Ryzen 7
  




• 
  Clock Speed: 3.7GHz
  

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£309. 10

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AMD 2nd Gen 16 Core Ryzen Threadripper 2 2950X Unlocked Processor

AMD 2nd Gen 16 Core Ryzen Threadripper 2 2950X Unlocked Processor

• 
  Socket: Socket TR4
  




• 
  Type: Ryzen ThreadRipper
  




• 
  Clock Speed: 3.5GHz
  




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  Processor Features: «Zen» Core . .
  

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AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3. 70GHz 20MB CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3.70GHz 20MB CPU

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  Socket: Socket AM4
  




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  Type: Ryzen 7
  




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  Clock Speed: 3GHz, 3GHz
  

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AMD Ryzen 3 1200 AM4 3.4GHz 10MB

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 AM4 3.4GHz 10MB

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  Socket: Socket AM4
  




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  Type: Ryzen 3
  




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  Clock Speed: 3.1GHz
  




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  Processor Features: «Zen» Core . .
  

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AMD Ryzen 3 1300X AM4 3.7GHz 10MB Quad-Core Wraith Stealth

AMD Ryzen 3 1300X AM4 3. 7GHz 10MB Quad-Core Wraith Stealth

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  Socket: Socket AM4
  




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  Type: Ryzen 3
  




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  Clock Speed: 3.5GHz
  




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AMD Ryzen 5 1600X AM4 4.0GHz 16MB 6 core CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 1600X AM4 4.0GHz 16MB 6 core CPU

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  Socket: Socket AM4
  




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  Type: Ryzen 5
  




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  Clock Speed: 3.6GHz
  




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  Cache Memory: 16MB
  

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AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3.6GHz 16MB

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3.6GHz 16MB

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  Socket: Socket AM4
  




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  Type: Ryzen 5
  




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  Clock Speed: 3.2GHz
  




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  Cache Memory: 16MB
  

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AMD Ryzen 7 1800X AM4 4.00GHz 20MB Cache CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 1800X AM4 4.00GHz 20MB Cache CPU

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  Type: Ryzen 7
  




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  Clock Speed: 3.6GHz
  

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AMD Ryzen 5 1500X with Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3.7GHz 16MB

AMD Ryzen 5 1500X with Wraith Spire 95W Cooler AM4 3.7GHz 16MB

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  Type: Ryzen 5
  




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  Cache Memory: 16MB
  

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Intel Xeon E5-2630V4 2.2 GHz 25MB FCLGA2011-v3 Socket

Intel Xeon E5-2630V4 2.2 GHz 25MB FCLGA2011-v3 Socket

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  Socket: LGA2011-v3 Socket
  




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  Type: Xeon
  




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  Clock Speed: 2.2GHz
  




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  3 Best CPUs for GTX 1060 in 2022 (3GB & 6GB)

  Jacob Tuwiner

  • 3 Best CPUs for 1060 Graphics Card
  • Best CPU for GTX 1060 3GB vs 6GB Models?
  • How to Choose the Right CPU for You
  • GTX 1060 3GB vs GTX 1060 6GB: Which is Best?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Compare CPUs
  • Liked the guide?

  Here’s the deal:

  You’re looking for the best CPU for the GTX 1060, and I’m here to give you the answer.

  I own a GTX 1060 3GB myself, and I’ve got it paired with a Ryzen 3 1200 — while great for most games, it’s certainly not ideal.

  Without further adieu, let’s talk about the top 3 CPUs for the GTX 1060:

  3 Best CPUs for 1060 Graphics Card

  CPU	Image	Benefit	See Price
  AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF		Top Pick	View on eBay
  Intel Core i5 8400		Runner Up	View on Amazon
  AMD Ryzen 5 3600		Performance Pick	View on Amazon

  Best CPU for GTX 1060 3GB vs 6GB Models?

  A lot of people ask me what the best CPU is for the GTX 1060 3GB, and others ask what the best CPU for the GTX 1060 6GB.

  The truth is, the cards are so similar in performance, the same CPU will be fine for either one.

  That’s not to say the GTX 1060 3GB and the 6GB are the same card though — fundamentally they’re different cards, so I don’t know why NVIDIA decided to confuse their buyers with the weird naming. More on that below.

  Anyway, I’d almost always recommend going for the GTX 1060 6GB and pairing it with a Ryzen 5 1600 AF — that’s probably the best price to performance CPU/GPU combo for 1080p gaming in 2022.

  You’ll consistently achieve 60+ FPS in AAA titles at 1080p, using medium/high settings and sometimes ultra settings, depending on the game’s hardware optimization.

  But to answer the question in short, the best CPU for the 1060 3GB is pretty much the same as the 1060 6GB.

  Clock

  3.2GHz

  Boost

  3.6GHz

  Cores

  6

  TDP

  65W

  Type

  Zen+

  Cooler

  Yes

  Despite its name, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is actually a Ryzen 2000 series processor based on the Zen+ 12nm architecture.

  What does that mean in layman’s terms?

  Ther Ryzen 5 1600 AF is basically a Ryzen 5 2600, but for a much cheaper price tag. Many in the PC building community regard the Ryzen 5 1600 AF as the best value CPU on the market today, and for good reason.

  If you’re buying a GTX 1060 for your gaming PC and want a great AMD CPU that gets the job done at an unbeatable price, look no further than the 1600 AF. Just like the GTX 1060 it’s budget friendly, and for an insanely low price of less than $100 USD, the GTX 1060 rivals the Ryzen 5 2600 in performance.

  Source: Hardware Unboxed

  The Ryzen 5 1600 released in 2017 for $220 USD, based on the original Zen 14nm architecture. A year later the 1600 was replaced by the 2600, priced at $200 USD using 12nm Zen+ cores.

  The following year, Zen 2 processors dropped, along with the Ryzen 5 1600 refresh. Bizarrely AMD released a cheap version of the Ryzen 5 2600, and just called it the Ryzen 5 1600. It is based on the Zen + architecture and is now commonly referred to as the Ryzen 5 1600 AF.

  Using a Ryzen 5 1600 AF with a GTX 1060 6GB is a killer combo.

  Here are some of the games it can play:

  • PUBG: 70 FPS Average 1080p Ultra
  • Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order: 40 FPS Average 1080p High
  • Fortnite: 90 FPS Average 1080p Epic
  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 35 FPS Average 1080p High

  The numbers above were tested with a GTX 1060 3GB, and in all of the games tested, GPU usage was at 99% while the CPU usage was sitting below 30% most of the time.

  That means the GPU (GTX 1060 3GB) was the bottleneck in this scenario, not the Ryzen 5 1600 AF. If you want a CPU that will always allow the GPU to play at its full potential, using a Ryzen 5 1600 AF with your 1060 is your best bet, especially from a performance per dollar standpoint.

  I’ve never seen a CPU with a better bang for your PC gaming buck, and I’m probably going to upgrade from my lowly Ryzen 3 1200 soon.

  Still, it’s important to note that if 1080p, 60 FPS is your goal on max settings, you’ll probably need a better graphics card than the GTX 1060 6GB. I’d recommend at least opting for the GTX 1070 to ensure buttery smooth 60+ FPS gameplay in all titles with high settings in 1080p.

  By the way, we have a guide on the best CPUs for the GTX 1070 as well if you want to check that out too.

  As you can see in this video, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF’s performance is nearly identical to the Ryzen 5 2600, meaning you’re getting a second generation Ryzen 5 chip built on the 12nm architecture at the price of a first generation, 14nm chip.

  Obviously the Ryzen 5 3600 based on the Zen 2 architecture is fastest in this video, but it’s $100 more than the 1600 AF, making the price increase not worth the added gaming performance (because the GPU will bottleneck here anyway).

  I was going to make a section in this article about a cheap CPU for the 1060, but it didn’t make sense because the R5 1600 (12nm variant) is already so darn cheap.

  Sure, you could save $20 and get a Pentium G4560, but that would bottleneck a 1060, and for an extra $20 you’re getting an insane amount of added performance with the 1600 AF.

  View on eBay

  Clock

  2.8GHz

  Boost

  4GHz

  Cores

  6

  TDP

  65W

  Type

  Coffee Lake

  Cooler

  Yes

  But I’d like to start by saying the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is better in practically every regard than the Core i5 8400 in terms of performance, except gaming where the i5 8400 pulls ahead ever so slightly.

  For the purposes of this guide I’m going to use the Ryzen 5 2600 as a comparison processor since the Core 8400 and the R5 2600 are rivals — however, you can expect the 1600 AF’s performance to be nearly identical to the results shown with the Ryzen 5 2600 in the tests below.

  Anyway, let’s talk specs. The Core i5 8400 is rocking 6 cores and, unlike its Ryzen counterpart, the i5 8400 only has 6 threads (as opposed to the Ryzen’s 12 threads).

  In terms of clock speeds, the i5 8400 comes in at 2.8 GHz base with a turbo up to 4 GHz. Comparatively, the R5 2600 has a base/boost clock of 3.4 — 3.9GHz. However, the R5 2600 can overclock to a comfortable 4.1 — 4.2 GHz without issue, whereas the i5 8400 is locked, meaning you can’t overclock the CPU.

  The Ryzen 5 2600 has a clear lead over the Core 8400 when it comes to multi-threaded performance, as shown in the chart below:

  Source: Optimum Tech

  It’s also important to note that the R5 2600 at 4.1GHz OC is closing in on the stock i7 8700K performance, which is pretty insane.

  And in terms of single-threaded performance, the i5 8400 does have a slight lead over the R5 2600, but normally Intel CPUs are known to knock AMD out of the park in single threaded applications, which is not the case here.

  Source: Optimum Tech

  However, the i5 8400 is around 7-15% faster than the Ryzen 5 2600 in gaming performance, depending on whether or not the R5 2600 is overclocked or stock.

  In conclusion, if you’re looking for the best gaming experience, I’d recommend the i5 8400 as a good CPU to pair with the GTX 1060.

  However, if you’re going to be gaming and doing any other kind of workstation task, from video editing to rendering, the Ryzen 5 2600 (and the 1600 AF) is a better all around option.

  Read Reviews on Amazon

  Clock

  3.6GHz

  Boost

  4.2GHz

  Cores

  6

  TDP

  65W

  Type

  Zen 2

  Cooler

  Yes

  The R5 3600 is more or less superior in every way to competing Intel i5 parts — technically the i5 9600K does perform a bit better on average in gaming scenarios, and overclocks a bit better too.

  So if you count overclock to overclock performance, technically the i5 9600K wins in that regard.

  However, the i5 CPUs have a problem — they’re much harder to defend than say an i9 or an i7 CPU because threads are artificially turned off on the 9600K, meaning frametime consistency isn’t as reliable as it used to be.

  Interestingly, back in the day people used to say “an i5 is enough for gaming”.

  We’re now in a day and age where an i5 is not necessarily enough for gaming, but a Ryzen 5 from AMD is enough for gaming.

  It’s important to note that while the 9600K beats the R5 3600 in gaming performance, that’s in a testing environment when paired with a graphics card like the GTX 1080 Ti, in which case the CPU is the bottleneck.

  When you pair either the 9600K or the R5 3600 with a 1060, the GPU will be the bottleneck, meaning gaming performance will be more or less the same with either one.

  That being said, your decision should come down to performance per dollar, and considering the R5 3600 outperforms the 9600K in most other aspects, and it’s cheaper, I have to go with the 3600 every time.

  The R5 3600 is genuinely good, and versatile. If you’re building a budget gaming PC and you’re trying to get the cheapest CPU that gets the job done, opting for the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is still your best bet.

  But if you have some extra cash to spend (around $100 more) and you want an all around CPU that can tackle any task, the Ryzen 5 3600 is a terrific all around performance pick.

  For those that want to game and stream, and edit videos, and render videos (you get the picture) you can’t beat the Ryzen 5 3600.

  Read Reviews on Amazon

  CPU	Image	Benefit	See Price
  Ryzen 5 1600 AF		Top Pick	View on Amazon
  Ryzen 5 2600		Runner Up	View on Amazon
  AMD Ryzen 5 3600		Performance Pick	View on Amazon

  How to Choose the Right CPU for You

  As we’ve already mentioned, the “best CPU” is specific to you and your needs.

  If you’re purely concerned with gaming, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is your best bet.

  But if you want to stream those games and maybe edit some videos, using a beefier model like the Ryzen 5 3600 is a better option.

  Consider what kind of tasks you’ll be doing, and what kind of performance you’re expecting.

  Then you can determine what your budget looks like to meet your needs, and purchase a CPU accordingly.

  For more information on choosing the best CPU for your PC, View on Amazon out our guide by clicking that link.

  GTX 1060 3GB vs GTX 1060 6GB: Which is Best?

  The difference between the GTX 1060 3GB and 6GB models is (almost) negligible.

  In nearly all gaming scenarios, the GTX 1060 3GB performs roughly 5-7% worse than its 6GB counterpart (at clock speeds). This is according to the awesome review from Gamers Nexus.

  At the end of the day it really depends on whether or not you feel the ~$50 saved is worth losing ~5% of your gaming performance.

  I would like to note that the 1060 3GB model is more than just a 1060 6GB with less RAM. It’s a different card altogether.

  The 3GB model has an entire SM disabled including 1/10 of the card’s processors and half of the VRAM capacity.

  Naming the 1060 3GB as a GTX 1060 will confuse buyers into thinking it’s just a 1060 6GB with half the VRAM, but that’s not the case.

  In my opinion the 1060 3GB should not be called a GTX 1060, but of course, component manufacturers messed it up again. Oh well.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Here are some of the most commonly asked questions I get about this topic:

  Can You Use GTX 1060 with AMD?

  Yes, you ccan pair Nvidia GPUs with AMD CPUs, without any compatibility problems.

  Which CPU is Best for GTX 1060?

  There is no single ‘best’ CPU for a graphics card, it depends on your needs. But you can’t go wrong with the Ryzen 5 1600 AF (12nm).

  What is the Radeon equivalent of GTX 1060?

  Most people agree that the RX 480 is the Radeon equivalent of the GTX 1060 6GB model.

  Is RX 480 Better than GTX 1060?

  The RX 480 and GTX 1060 are practically neck and neck when it comes to performance. In some situations, the 1060 wins, such as DX11. But in DX12, the RX 480 wins.

  Compare CPUs

  If you want to compare different CPUs to help you decide which is best for your 1060, here are some awesome resources for you:

  • UserBenchmark
  • CPUBoss
  • CPU Benchmarks

  Those links should help!

  Liked the guide?

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  It’s a small community, but growing! Whether you need tech support, want to show off your rig or just play some games, you can hit up the server whenever you want.

  It’s free too — hope to see you there!

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  Top 5 Best Budget Gaming Processors for Mid-Range PCs in 2021. – keypro2.ru

  The rise of AMD over the past few years has had an incredible impact on budget and mid-range gaming when we’re talking about processors. Competition is good for everyone because it pushes both companies to produce better products at lower prices and, in the end, it’s the consumer who benefits the most. This is exactly what happened in 2017 when AMD released its first generation of Ryzen processors. These processors not only increased the number of cores compared to their Intel counterparts, but they also sold at a lower price compared to the Blue Team offerings of the time.

  Fast forward to 2021 and this competition has intensified even further, as a result of which we have been spoiled with some amazing processor options on both sides. In this competition, both companies have found their place, as we now understand that AMD’s Ryzen is a line of incredibly inexpensive processors with a large number of cores and excellent gaming performance, while Intel was the best brand of gaming processors by a narrow margin. That all changed with the introduction of the Ryzen 5000 series based on the Zen 3 architecture, but at the time of writing these processors are a bit out of our range. AMD has yet to release non-X variants of its Ryzen 5000 series processors, which tend to be the cheaper processors in their lineup. Intel has also announced its Rocket Lake processors, but at the time of writing, these processors have not yet been released.

  In this review, we will focus on the top 5 best budget mid-range PC gaming processors in 2021.

  Content of Article

  1. AMD Ryzen 5 3600

  Plus:

  • Big explosion for money
  • 6 Nuclei with 12 streams
  • included standard cooler

  minus

  • Limited stock for overclocking

  Number of cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base frequency: 3.6 GHz | Acceleration frequency: 4.2 GHz | Acceleration: Yes | TDP: 65 W | Architecture: Zen 2

  Ryzen 5 3600 has an almost legendary reputation among PC game enthusiasts. Since its launch in 2019, gamers have always adored AMD’s 6-core mid-range chip, and for good reason. The Ryzen 5 3600 is not only an incredible value for money, but also a decent performance processor that can handle moderately complex tasks in addition to gaming with relative ease. Speaking of gaming, the gaming performance of the Ryzen 5 3600 is also great due to the incredible IPC jump in Zen 2 compared to Zen+.

  Under the hood, the Ryzen 5 3600 is packed with 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 3.6 GHz and an overclock of 4.2 GHz. While these numbers may not seem all that impressive, you should keep in mind that the Zen 2 architecture has a big IPC (Instructions Per Clock) advantage over comparative Intel processors and older Ryzen processors. The Ryzen 5 3600 also contains 32MB of L3 cache, which helps with single-threaded workloads like games.

  The main attraction of the Ryzen 5 3600 lies in its value proposition. For about $200, you get an incredible 6-core chip based on the amazing Zen 2 architecture, which is great not only for gaming, but also for mid-range tasks. Not only that, but the Ryzen 5 3600 is also unlocked like the rest of the Ryzen lineup. This means that the processor can be overclocked to squeeze more performance out of it if the user wants it. Overclocking should be done with a good CPU cooler as the included Wraith Stealth cooler may not be suitable for overclocking.

  One of the greatest strengths of the Ryzen platform is its backward and forward compatibility. If you previously had a Ryzen 5 1600 or Ryzen 5 2600 with a decent B450 or X470 motherboard, you can simply install a Ryzen 5 3600 (or even a 5600X!) on the same motherboard for a bulk motherboard upgrade. This makes the Ryzen 5 3600 an attractive upgrade option for users of older Ryzen processors.

  All in all, the Ryzen 5 3600 is an incredibly inexpensive gaming processor that would be great for a mid-range build that hopes to maximize value for money. 4.8 GHz | Acceleration: Yes | TDP: 125 W | Architecture: Comet Lake

  Core i5 10600K is a premium Intel CPU from the Comet Lake series and a pretty decent little gaming CPU. Not only does the CPU have 6 cores and 12 threads like the Ryzen 5 3600, it’s also slightly faster in games than the venerable Ryzen 5 thanks to Intel’s higher clock speed and lower latency. The Core i5 10600K is also unlocked for overclocking and is currently one of the best overclocking processors on the market.

  In terms of pure gaming performance, the Core i5 10600K is slightly faster than the Ryzen 5 3600 or even the 3600X, which is a faster variant of the Ryzen 5 3600. This is due to Intel’s incredibly high clock speed. up to 4.8GHz at 10600K, and lower latency between cores. The Intel 10600K is often found in the top gaming benchmark charts, next to the i7 and i9 from the Comet Lake line.

  But this extra performance comes at a price. The 10600K is typically around $50-$70 more expensive than the Ryzen 5 3600, which can be expensive if you’re buying a CPU on a fairly tight budget. In addition, the 10600K requires a more expensive Z-series motherboard to take advantage of the unlocked multiplier and RAM overclocking. This really makes it hard to recommend the 10600K over the Ryzen 5 3600 even though the 10600K is technically faster in games.

  It all comes down to end user preference. Most people won’t notice the extra 4-5% FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600, but will notice the extra CPU and motherboard cost when making a purchase decision. In addition, the 10600K doesn’t come with a stock cooler like the Ryzen 5 3600, so you really need to spend more money on a decent cooler, especially if you want to overclock.

  Speaking of overclocking, this is one of the 10600K’s biggest strengths as it can hit 5.0GHz on all cores fairly easily with a good cooler and paired with a good motherboard. This puts its gaming performance on par with the flagship Core i910900K. So if you are looking for the highest possible FPS on a tight budget, you should go for the 10600K processor.

  3. AMD RYZEN 3 3300X

  Plus:

  • Excellent game performance
  • Available price
  • The ability to accelerate

  Lessions:

Number of cores: 4 | Threads: 8 | Base frequency: 3. 8 GHz | Boost clock: 4.3 GHz | Acceleration: Yes | TDP: 65 W | Architecture: Zen 2

One of the most interesting processor launches in the last few years is the Ryzen 3 3300X. This is AMD’s performance-focused Ryzen 3 processor, which should bring all the goodness of the Zen 2 architecture to the level of entry-level processors. The Ryzen 3 3300X was released alongside the Ryzen 3 3100, and together these two processors should compete with the Intel i3 line in the entry-level processor market.

Under the hood, the Ryzen 3 3300X packs 4 cores and 8 threads, which is a configuration sufficient for most games. What’s interesting about the 3300X is its unusually high gaming performance. The Ryzen 3 3300X often challenges the 6-core, 12-thread Ryzen 5 3600 in gaming benchmarks while vastly outperforming the previous generation Ryzen 5 2600. This improvement in gaming performance is due to the fact that the 4 cores of the 3300X are on one core of the complex, which significantly reduces latency compared to models with 6 and 8 cores. This greatly improves gaming performance.

The 3300X is not aimed at productivity oriented users due to its quad-core design, rather it is purely focused on gaming performance on a limited budget. Since the 3300X can be pretty close to the Ryzen 5 3600 in terms of FPS, even without two cores, the 3300X is an attractive option for anyone looking to build an entry-level gaming PC in 2021.

Like the rest of the AMD Ryzen lineup, the 3300X offers more features than just good gaming performance. It opens the way to PCIe 4.0 since the processor is based on the Zen 2 architecture. A decent Wraith cooler is included in the box, and like all other Zen processors, the 3300X is also unlocked for a bit of overclocking. The 3300X can also take advantage of the fairly cheap B450 boards due to being just a 65W chip that can easily run on most budget A320 and B450 motherboards.

Although the 3300X seems like the ideal entry-level processor for gaming, there is a problem that is fairly common with this processor. Shortly after the release, the 3300X went to stores and has not appeared in large numbers since. So, if you want to get your hands on this processor, you better keep an eye on its stock.

4. Intel Core i5 10400F

Pros:

• Great option
• Good gaming performance
• Can work with cheaper motherboards0018

Cons:

• Locked multiplier
• Without memory overclocking

Number of cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base frequency: 2.9 GHz | Boost clock: 4.3 GHz | Acceleration: No | TDP: 65W | Architecture: Comet Lake

One of the best processors in Intel’s Comet Lake line in terms of cost is the Core i5 10400f, which is also a mid-range processor with 6 cores and 12 threads. 10400F is slightly faster than 9400F of the previous generation, which was a very popular processor among mid-range builders. Overall, it’s also a great value option that costs about the same as the Ryzen 5 3600.

In terms of gaming performance, the 10400F competes with the Ryzen 5 3600 at about the same price. This is good news for people who are looking for low-cost options in the processor market, as they now have the option of choosing an Intel or AMD processor. However, the 10400F has some drawbacks. Compared to the Ryzen 5 3600, the performance of the 10400F is not as good as that of the Ryzen 5 3600, but this can be partly justified as these are value-driven options.

10400F is a locked processor, which means that this chip does not have overclocking capability, which is kind of a bummer if we look at the Ryzen lineup, in which every processor is unlocked. Although there is a cooler in the box, which is nice. The 10400F also does not have integrated graphics (hence the «F» in the name), which is one of the cost-cutting measures applied here. All F chips in Intel’s lineup have integrated graphics, which is a good cost-saving measure since most people want to pair a dedicated GPU with these processors anyway. The 10400F is also limited to 2666 MHz in terms of RAM speed, which is a limitation of this processor and cheaper Intel B and H series chipsets.

With that said, the 10400F is another option on the market that makes sense if the Ryzen 5 3600 is out of stock or really overpriced. It may not provide the highest FPS, but it will maximize your money’s worth when buying a processor at that price.

5. AMD RYZEN 5 2600

Plus:

• Very affordable
• Possibility0018
• Slightly slower in games
• Selective memory compatibility

Number of cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base frequency: 3.4 GHz | Boost clock: 3.9 GHz | Acceleration: Yes | TDP: 65W | Architecture: Zen+

Another value option from AMD’s already legendary Ryzen lineup is the venerable Ryzen 5 2600. This processor was also very popular a few years ago and still remains a viable option for a gaming machine. The Ryzen 5 2600 is based on the older Zen+ architecture, which has slightly slower cores than any of the processors listed here, but it still performs well in most games that exist today. 9The 0003

R5 2600 is also a 6-core 12-thread processor with a base clock of 3.4 GHz and a boost clock of 3.9 GHz. What’s great about the R5 2600 is that it does a really good job of handling most performance tasks thanks to its 6 cores and 12 threads. Its gaming performance lags a bit behind the Ryzen 5 3600 and even the 3300X, but you can find the R5 2600 a bit cheaper for comparison.

You do get a decent standard Wraith cooler in the box, which is nice at this price point. In addition, the Ryzen 5 2600 is also unlocked, which means you can use its unlocked multiplier to squeeze more performance out of it, as long as you have the cooling for it. You also need to pair it with a B450 or X470 motherboard to take advantage of the overclocking capabilities of the R5 2600. 9The 0003

Ryzen 5 2600 makes a lot of sense for entry-level builds looking to take advantage of its cheaper price tag, as the processor still handles modern games quite well. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for the highest possible frame rate in your favorite esports game, but for casual gaming, a mid-range Ryzen 5 2600 graphics card is more than enough. It also unlocks the amazing AMD AM4 platform, which offers direct upgrade even for processors like the new Ryzen 5000 series.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 2600 is still a good option for a budget gaming machine as it offers excellent value for money even three years after release. It may not deliver the maximum frames per second, but it is a versatile and reliable processor that will maximize your return.

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Cheap versions of Baikal processors are being created in Russia

In 2021, the Russian microprocessor manufacturer Baikal Electronics plans to bring three new processors based on the ARM architecture to the market at once. Two of them are simplified versions of the Baikal-M universal chip and are intended for base workstations and thin clients. The third — «Baikal-S» — aims at the segment of powerful server systems, storage systems and supercomputers.

Follow the news “New defense order. Strategies» on Google News, stay tuned!

New Baikals

As CNews found out, Baikal Electronics is preparing to release three new processors. According to Andrey Evdokimov, CEO of the company, in the near future the line of Baikal-M ARM chips will be replenished with two simplified models: Baikal-M/2 and Baikal-M/2+. In addition, the domestic microelectronics manufacturer expects to release a powerful 48-core Baikal-S server processor.

In 2021, Baikal Electronics plans to bring to the market somewhat «cut down» and cheaper versions of the already existing Baikal-M product — «Baikal-M / 2» (read «Baikal-em in half»; approx. CNews) and Baikal-M/2+.

If the original «Baikal-M» is positioned by the manufacturer as a solution for desktop PCs, mini-servers and industrial systems, then «M / 2» and «M / 2 +» are aimed at using in the segment of «light» workstations and thin clients .

Block diagrams of future simplified Baikal-M/2 chips

Both novelties use the 28nm process technology and are based on 64-bit ARM Cortex-A57 cores. Includes 512 KB cache per core, one DDR3 / 4 memory controller and Ethernet at a speed of 1 Gb / s, PCIe Gen3 interface (4 + 4 + 4 lines). USB 3.0/2.0 and SATA 6G interfaces are also supported. The Mali-T628 graphics chip is integrated into the system-on-a-chip. 9and support for additional video output.

It is expected that novelties from the Baikal-M line will appear on the market in Q3 2021.

Russian processor for supercomputers

S», which is positioned by developers as a solution for servers, storage systems (SHD) and supercomputer systems.

“This is a very large, powerful server processor,” Evdokimov said about the future Baikal-S processor as part of a conference that the company held on November 26, 2020. “It has quite a rich peripheral: many PCI Express lanes, many DDR controllers, and four interprocessor links that allow building multiprocessor machines.

Today it is known that Baikal-S will receive more than 15 billion transistors and will be produced according to the 16-nm technology of the Taiwanese Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The level of power consumption of the chip, according to the developers, will not exceed 120 watts.

The Baikal-S processor is planned to be built on the basis of 48 64-bit ARM Cortex-A75 cores operating at a frequency of at least 2 GHz.

Among the new features — dynamic management of operating frequencies and CPU power consumption, support for trusted boot.

The launch of Baikal-S production is scheduled for Q1 2021. Baikal Electronics expects to receive the first samples of the processor and technology based on it in Q3 2021.

Which processors did Baikal Electronics develop

The characteristics of the original Baikal-M, we recall, were first publicly disclosed in October 2019. The processor consists of eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A57 cores, which operate at a clock frequency of up to 1. 5 GHz. It also includes a Mali-T628 graphics chip with up to 700 MHz. The power consumption is less than 30W.

In addition, the developers announced two DDR3 / 4 memory controllers, support for the PCIe Gen3 interface (8 + 4 + 4), hardware video decoding in resolutions up to 4K, as well as four Ethernet network interfaces (two 10 Gb and 1 Gb ) and two video outputs.

In July 2020, the production of the first motherboards for the Baikal-M processor in the Mini-ITX form factor began. The companies «Edelweiss», «Basalt SPO» and, in fact, «Baikal Electronics» took part in the development of the device. Today, in addition to Edelweiss, motherboards for Baikal-M are produced by Baikal Electronics itself (Mini-ITX) and Project Lagrange (Qseven form factor).

At the end of August 2020, the Graviton M50B monoblock developed by 3Logic Group with the Baikal-M chip and the domestic OS Astra Linux was introduced.

In October 2020, Baikal-M received the status of a Russian-made integrated circuit. The corresponding conclusion of the Baikal Electronics company was issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia.

As CNews previously reported, Baikal Electronics intends to order the production of at least 213,000 Baikal-M ARM processors in three batches at the TSMC factory in the next four months. The amount of investments can be estimated at no less than $11 million. Investments occur against the background of the appearance of a new large investor in the company in the person of the Varton group, which is engaged in the production of LEDs.

The portfolio of microprocessor solutions of Baikal Electronics also includes the Baikal-T chip based on the MIPS architecture. The processor is targeted at use in industrial and consumer devices in the markets for communication solutions, industrial automation and embedded systems. Engineering samples of the chip were presented back in May 2015.

In April 2020, CNews wrote about the release of the first samples of mini-PCs under the Hamster Robotics brand based on the Baikal-T processor and the Russian Alt OS. The creators of the “domestic NUC” called business and the public sector promising customers.

Source — CNews

Best Cheap Processors for Gaming in 2021

Gone are the days when buying a gaming PC or laptop was too expensive and over budget for many avid gamers. As we enter the world of 4K gaming, the need for a great combination of hardware has become even more necessary.

If you have the best processor, you can integrate it with the latest graphics card and enjoy your games for years to come. Previously, there was only one player in gaming processors — Intel; hence it was too expensive. But since the introduction of AMD Ryzen processors to the market, the whole scenario has changed. AMD has released very good gaming processors that go hand in hand with Intel processors, but also at a lower price.

This prompted Intel to lower the price of processors in order to stay competitive. Either way, it has benefited gamers and creative users like us. We can save on the CPU and spend that money on other components to further improve performance.

This article will take you through some of the cheaper gaming processors as of April 2021. So let’s get started.

Ryzen 3 2200G

The Ryzen 3 2200G is a quad-core, 4-thread processor with best-in-class support for eSports gaming. It is one of the cheapest processors in the world of gaming processors. This processor is ideal for entry-level gaming and creative work.

Specifications

• Cores: 4
• Threads: 4
• Clock frequency: 3.5 GHz / 3.7 GHz
• Graphics frequency: 1100 MHz

This is an unlocked processor; therefore, you can pair it with any graphics card that best suits your requirements. It has built-in Vega 8 graphics which gives you a fast, smooth and fluid experience. It can be integrated with low cost 300 series motherboard for greater savings.

Intel Pentium Gold G-6400

G-6400 is one of the cheapest Intel processors for entry-level gamers. This CPU is compatible with the Intel 400 series chipset. No thermal solution included, but it’s a great processor for basic computing and gaming.

Specifications

• Number of cores: 2
• Threads: 4
• Clock frequency: 4 GHz
• Graphics frequency: 350 MHz

It has an integrated Intel UHD Graphic 610 processor capable of 4K @ 60Hz.

Ryzen 3 3300X

The Ryzen 3 3300X is AMD’s budget gaming processor. It’s the perfect processor for intense gaming and creative work. Priced at around $339 on Amazon, the Ryzen 3 3300X is one of the best in this price range.

Specifications

• Cores: 4
• Thread: 8
• Clock frequency: 4.3 GHz
• Connector: AM4

This is a 3rd generation AMD processor with a Wraith Stealth cooler. It can deliver over 100fps performance so you can enjoy the world’s best gaming experience. It comes with an AM4 connector; hence you can pair it with any modern motherboard.

Intel Core i3-10105

The Core i3 from Intel is a versatile processor that can also be used for gaming when paired with a graphics card. This is a very affordable processor from Intel, priced at just $114.

Specifications

• Number of cores: 4
• Thread: 6
• Clock frequency: 3.6 GHz

These are 10th generation Intel processors. You can play high-end games at low settings with this processor, but some demanding games can be difficult.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 3600 is AMD’s 5th generation processor. It is one of the most advanced gaming processors, delivering ultra-fast 100+ FPS performance in high graphics games.

Specifications

• Number of cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Clock frequency: 4. 2 GHz
• Connector: AM4

The AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler is also included with this 7nm CPU with a massive 35MB GameCache onboard for faster gaming performance.

Ryzen 3 3200G

AMD’s Ryzen 3200G is an entry-level gaming processor and one of the best among the competition. It’s a combination of CPU and GPU; therefore, you do not need to spend extra money on graphics.

Specifications

• Cores: 4
• Threads: 4
• Clock frequency: 4 GHz
• Connector: AM4

You can easily play any modern graphics at low settings using this 3200G processor. This is a great processor for hardcore gamers on a budget. It will serve you until you have enough money to upgrade. On top of all these features, it also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler.

Ryzen 3 3100

The Ryzen 3 3100 is another budget gaming processor from AMD.