Best 6 Cheap CPUs Gaming 2021 Under $200
The processor, also known as the CPU, is the most important component on any gaming PC motherboard. It works alongside the graphics card to power your PC games. If you want the best gaming experience, you need the best hardware.
Gamers tend to focus on the graphics card (GPU) first. But your processor (CPU) is also important. The CPU handles a huge number of tasks while gaming, from decompressing level data to simulating physics.
Buying the best gaming CPU can feel confusing. The overwhelming number of CPU features and options makes it difficult. How many cores? Do two processors with equivalent clock speed perform the same? If you're trying to figure out the best CPU for the money, this gaming CPU guide is for you.
Best CPU for Gaming Under $100
I'm going to break this guide down into easily digestible bits for each budget level. First stop: gaming CPUs under $100.1. AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
Cores/Threads: 4/4
Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
Socket: AM4
The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is a wonderful entry level CPU. It has a very low cost, has four well-powered Ryzen cores, and will give you 720p gaming via its Vega on-chip graphics module. Another positive for the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is the AM4 Socket. You will find the AMD AM4 CPU socket on a huge range of motherboards. Meaning you can grab yourself a cheap CPU, a cheap motherboard, and play some awesome games.
Now, just because it has an onboard graphics module doesn't mean you cannot pair it with more powerful GPU. Just be aware that if the GPU is too powerful, you'll see some bottlenecking between the CPU and GPU.
The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is a wonderful entry level CPU. It has a very low cost, has four well-powered Ryzen cores, and will give you 720p gaming via its Vega on-chip graphics module. Another positive for the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is the AM4 Socket. You will find the AMD AM4 CPU socket on a huge range of motherboards. Meaning you can grab yourself a cheap CPU, a cheap motherboard, and play some awesome games.
Now, just because it has an onboard graphics module doesn't mean you cannot pair it with more powerful GPU. Just be aware that if the GPU is too powerful, you'll see some bottlenecking between the CPU and GPU.
2. AMD Ryzen 3 1200
Cores/Threads: 4/4
Base Frequency: 3.1GHz
Socket: AM4
The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 also comes from AMD's fantastic Ryzen CPU generation. The Ryzen 3 1200 comes from the first generation of Ryzen CPUs, featuring decent individual core frequency, CPU boost up to 3.5GHz, and dual-channel RAM support. The Ryzen 3 1200 also features AMD's Wraith Cooler. The stock cooler works fine for regular gaming, but if you want to overclock the Ryzen 3 1200 (which you can, as it has an unlocked multiplier), I would advise upgrading to something more powerful.
Like the 2200G, if you pair the Ryzen 3 1200 with a decent GPU and throw in enough RAM, you'll have some excellent gaming experiences.
The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 also comes from AMD's fantastic Ryzen CPU generation. The Ryzen 3 1200 comes from the first generation of Ryzen CPUs, featuring decent individual core frequency, CPU boost up to 3.5GHz, and dual-channel RAM support. The Ryzen 3 1200 also features AMD's Wraith Cooler. The stock cooler works fine for regular gaming, but if you want to overclock the Ryzen 3 1200 (which you can, as it has an unlocked multiplier), I would advise upgrading to something more powerful.
Like the 2200G, if you pair the Ryzen 3 1200 with a decent GPU and throw in enough RAM, you'll have some excellent gaming experiences.
3. Intel Pentium G4560
Cores/Threads: 2/4
Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
Socket: LGA 1151
Wait, an actual Pentium on a gaming CPU list in 2019? That's right! The Intel Pentium G4560 comes in nicely under budget. However, it also brings a dual-core Kaby Lake processor with a 3.5GHz base frequency, a massive 4.2GHz CPU boost, and support for up to 64GB DDR3 RAM.
The Pentium G4560 is from an earlier generation, hence the DDR3 RAM. On the flipside, you can build a powerful gaming PC using slightly older hardware that will still game at 60FPS in most of the latest games.
Wait, an actual Pentium on a gaming CPU list in 2019? That's right! The Intel Pentium G4560 comes in nicely under budget. However, it also brings a dual-core Kaby Lake processor with a 3.5GHz base frequency, a massive 4.2GHz CPU boost, and support for up to 64GB DDR3 RAM.
The Pentium G4560 is from an earlier generation, hence the DDR3 RAM. On the flipside, you can build a powerful gaming PC using slightly older hardware that will still game at 60FPS in most of the latest games.
4. Intel Core i5-9400F
Cores/Threads: 6/6
Base Frequency: 2.9GHz
Socket: LGA 1151
The Intel Core i5-9400F has several excellent features. Coming out of the box with six cores and six threads, a base frequency of 2.9GHz, and a boost frequency of up to 4.1GHz, you can really push the Intel i5-9400F.
Another positive for the i5-9400F is its chipset. The Intel i5-9400F is from the latest generation of Intel CPUs and as such, uses the 300 Series chipset. The 300 Series chipset motherboards are the latest and greatest, designed for greater power and efficiency.
The Intel Core i5-9400F has several excellent features. Coming out of the box with six cores and six threads, a base frequency of 2.9GHz, and a boost frequency of up to 4.1GHz, you can really push the Intel i5-9400F.
Another positive for the i5-9400F is its chipset. The Intel i5-9400F is from the latest generation of Intel CPUs and as such, uses the 300 Series chipset. The 300 Series chipset motherboards are the latest and greatest, designed for greater power and efficiency.
5. AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Cores/Threads: 6/12
Base Frequency: 3.2GHz
Socket: AM4
As far as gaming CPUs under $200 go, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is right up there. It is extremely competitive versus the Intel i5-9400F. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 packs in six cores and 12 threads, a slightly faster 3.2GHz base frequency, and a slightly slower boost frequency of 3.9GHz.
The combination of the extra threads and faster base frequency make the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 one of the best pound-for-pound gaming CPUs under $200. Another bonus for the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is its out-of-box overlock option.
As far as gaming CPUs under $200 go, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is right up there. It is extremely competitive versus the Intel i5-9400F. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 packs in six cores and 12 threads, a slightly faster 3.2GHz base frequency, and a slightly slower boost frequency of 3.9GHz.
The combination of the extra threads and faster base frequency make the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 one of the best pound-for-pound gaming CPUs under $200. Another bonus for the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is its out-of-box overlock option.
6. Intel Core i3-9100F
Cores/Threads: 4/4
Base Frequency: 4.2GHz
Socket: LGA 1151The Intel Core i3-9100F is a quad core processor having 4 virtual cores which is widely known as threads. Running at a base clock frequency of 3.60 GHz, thanks to its Intel’s turbo boost technology, it can reach up to a clock frequency of 4.20 GHz when boosted. It is actually a variant of the Intel Core i3-9100.
Like the Intel Core i3-9100, the Intel Core i3-9100F has the same number of cores, threads and clock frequency. The main difference between the two is that the Intel Core i3-9100F doesn’t have an integrated graphics. Thus, it’s a cheaper version of the Intel Core i3-9100. Intel had probably done this to release a more competitive budget gaming processor.
How much you spend on a gaming CPU depends on your budget. Remember that the CPU is just one component you need. To build a great gaming PC, you also need a GPU, some RAM, a motherboard, case, and so on. It sounds like it will all add up. But building your own gaming PC doesn't have to break the bank. You have so many options when you self-build, such as shopping around for parts, buying second hand, and waiting for deals.