Which brands make the best cheap gaming CPUs?
The best cheap gaming CPU brands are as follows.
- Intel (Overall score: 8.6 points)
- AMD (Overall score: 8.4 points)
How much do cheap gaming CPUs cost?
Cheap gaming CPUs cost between £85 and £170 depending on the model and generation.
At this price range, you usually get entry-level Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors, which are designed for budget systems but still handle modern games at lower settings. These CPUs focus on a balance between price and performance, so they trade higher core counts and advanced features for affordable pricing.
Some models closer to £170 can include more threads or higher boost clock speeds, which improve performance in newer games that use multiple cores.
The following chart shows how cheap gaming CPUs are distributed by price.
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How many cores and threads do cheap gaming CPUs have?
Cheap gaming CPUs have between 4 and 6 cores and usually 8 to 12 threads.
Entry-level models sit at 4 cores with 8 threads, while stronger budget options go up to 6 cores with 12 threads, which helps in modern games and multitasking.
This range means that most cheap gaming CPUs can handle popular titles smoothly and also run background applications at the same time. A 4-core 8-thread CPU can manage lighter or older games, but modern releases often use more threads, so 6-core 12-thread CPUs perform better in heavier workloads.
The following chart compares the number of physical cores in cheap gaming CPUs.
[vertical-chart-14285854666642524364068329894320053636212850796158]
What clock speeds do cheap gaming CPUs reach?
Cheap gaming CPUs reach clock speeds between 3.0 GHz and 4.5 GHz, depending on the model and generation.
Base clocks usually stay in the 3.0–3.6 GHz range, while turbo boost can raise speeds to around 4.0–4.5 GHz. These numbers vary by brand and architecture, since newer chips often achieve higher boost speeds with lower power usage.
Clock speed affects how fast a processor executes instructions, so higher boost speeds help games run smoother, especially in titles that rely heavily on single-core performance.
The chart below shows the boost clock distribution of cheap gaming CPUs.
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Do cheap gaming CPUs support overclocking?
Only some cheap gaming CPUs support overclocking. Processors with a “K” or “KF” suffix in their name unlock the multiplier, so users can raise the clock speed beyond the base specifications. Intel also sells “X” series CPUs that support overclocking, but entry-level models without these suffixes do not.
Overclocking also requires the right chipset, as Intel Z-series motherboards enable it, while H-series and B-series do not. Cheap CPUs usually ship with limited thermal capacity, so even if the model supports overclocking, the performance gain can be small compared to higher-end processors.
Extra cooling and stable power delivery are necessary because higher speeds increase heat and energy demand, and without proper hardware the system can become unstable.
How much power do cheap gaming CPUs use?
Cheap gaming CPUs use between 35 W and 65 W in most cases, although some higher-end budget models can reach 95 W.
The power rating usually depends on the number of cores and the base clock speed, as higher performance parts consume more energy. Intel Core i3 processors and AMD Ryzen 3 processors often fall into the lower range, while unlocked or higher clocked models sit closer to the upper range.
The stated power, called TDP (thermal design power), shows the heat a processor generates under standard load, but real power draw can be higher under heavy gaming or stress tests. A cheap CPU with 4 to 6 cores and moderate clock speeds usually stays close to its TDP value, while turbo boost modes can temporarily raise consumption.
Do cheap gaming CPUs work with DDR5 or only DDR4?
Cheap gaming CPUs work with both DDR4 and DDR5, but compatibility depends on the specific processor generation and socket type.
Budget-friendly processors like Intel's 12th generation Core i3 and i5 CPUs (LGA 1700) support DDR5 memory, while older generations such as 10th and 11th gen Intel processors (LGA 1200) only work with DDR4. AMD's budget Ryzen 5000 series processors (AM4 socket) support DDR4 exclusively, but the newer Ryzen 7000 series budget options (AM5 socket) require DDR5 memory.
