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Looking for an affordable Intel CPU that delivers great performance without breaking the bank?
In this guide, we’ll break down the best budget Intel CPUs for 2025, with picks under $100, $150, and $200.
Whether you’re building a budget-friendly PC or upgrading your current setup, we’ve got you covered with solid choices that won’t compromise on power.
3 Best Budget Intel CPUs in 2025 Round-Up
The table below will give you a quick look at our selections for the three best budget Intel CPUs currently available on the market, ranging from under $100 to just under $200.
To read a full review, simply click on ‘read review’ in the respective row.
1. Intel Core i5-12400F Best Intel CPU Under $100 |  | 9.5/10 | |
2. Intel Core i5-12600KF Best Intel CPU Under $150 |  | 9.6/10 | |
3. Intel Core i7-12700KF Best Intel CPU Under $200 |  | 9.8/10 |
1. Intel Core i5-12400F
Best Intel CPU Under $100
Architecture: Alder Lake | Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base Frequency: 2.5 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Strong 6-core, 12-thread performance for gaming and multitasking
- Smooth 1080p gaming with a mid-range GPU
- Power-efficient with a 65W TDP
- Handles light productivity tasks well
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 for future upgrades
- Amazing value for the price under $100
- Easy to cool, doesn’t require expensive cooling solutions
REASONS TO AVOID
- No integrated graphics, requires dedicated GPU
- Lower single-core performance for CPU-heavy tasks
Our Rating: 9.5/10
The Intel Core i5-12400F is currently the best Intel processor available for under $100, offering an excellent combination of performance and affordability.
With 6 cores and 12 threads, it provides strong multi-core performance that’s more than capable for gaming, everyday tasks, and light productivity work. It operates at a base clock of 2.5GHz and can boost up to 4.4GHz, delivering fast and responsive performance across a variety of applications.
For gaming, this CPU is a standout performer at its price point. When paired with a solid mid-range GPU like the RTX 4060 or RX 7600, it delivers smooth 1080p gaming performance in popular competitive titles, while also handling triple-A games at decent settings with frame rates that hold up well.
While it doesn’t reach the same level of single-core performance as more expensive chips, it’s still fast enough to ensure a great gaming experience for most users, even in more CPU-dependent games.
In productivity, the i5-12400F does also well. It handles multitasking with ease, whether it’s running multiple applications, light video editing, or working with large documents and spreadsheets. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration ensures that users can run several programs at once without significant slowdowns, making it a great option for home offices or budget builds.
Power efficiency is another strong point, with the i5-12400F sporting a 65-watt TDP that keeps thermals manageable and doesn’t require an expensive or overly powerful cooling solution. Unlike some other budget CPUs, this one offers solid performance without running hot or demanding excessive power.
However, it’s important to note that this CPU doesn’t have integrated graphics, so a dedicated GPU is required for any kind of visual output, which adds a bit to the overall build cost.
In terms of compatibility, this processor uses Intel’s LGA1700 socket, meaning it works with newer B660, H670, and Z790 motherboards, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving you the flexibility to choose between affordability and future-proofing.
Overall, the Intel Core i5-12400F is currently the best Intel CPU under $100, offering strong performance for gaming, productivity, and everyday use. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and solid boost clock provide excellent value, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious users who need a capable processor for a variety of tasks.
While it lacks integrated graphics, its performance, efficiency, and affordability make it the best option for anyone looking to get the most out of their budget build.
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2. Intel Core i5-12600KF
Best Intel CPU Under $150
Architecture: Alder Lake | Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 10 | Threads: 16 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.9 GHz | TDP: 125 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Exceptional all-around performance under $150
- Strong single-core and multi-core capabilities
- Outstanding gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p with mid-tier GPUs
- Hybrid architecture ensures smooth multitasking and background task handling
- Great for productivity tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development
- Unlocks overclocking potential for enthusiasts looking to push performance further
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory for flexibility and future-proofing
- Compatible with a variety of motherboards, offering many upgrade options
REASONS TO AVOID
- Requires a quality cooling solution, especially when overclocked
- 125W TDP, not the most power-efficient processor in its range
Our Rating: 9.6/10
The Intel Core i5-12600KF is currently the best-performing Intel processor under $150, offering exceptional performance for gamers, content creators, and multitaskers without breaking the bank.
With a hybrid architecture featuring 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, the i5-12600KF provides a total of 10 cores and 16 threads, making it an excellent choice for users who need both strong single-core performance and efficient multi-core capabilities. Its base clock is 3.7GHz, and it can boost up to 4.9GHz, offering impressive speeds across a range of applications.
For gaming, this processor stands out in its price range, delivering outstanding performance, especially when paired with mid-tier GPUs like the RTX 4070 or RX 7700 XT. It excels in demanding triple-A titles, delivering smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming performance with high frame rates, even in graphically intensive games.
The hybrid architecture, which combines high-performance cores with energy-efficient ones, further enhances overall performance, ensuring the processor can handle both gaming and background tasks with ease.
Beyond gaming, this CPU also excels in productivity and content creation. Its 10-core, 16-thread configuration allows for excellent multi-threaded performance in tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.
Applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, Blender, and DaVinci Resolve benefit from the processor’s additional efficiency cores, which handle background tasks without sacrificing performance in resource-heavy applications. Whether you’re editing high-resolution videos or rendering complex 3D models, this chip delivers the best performance out of any chip under $150.
One of the major advantages of this CPU is its unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. This means users can push the processor to even higher clock speeds for additional performance, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts and gamers who want to squeeze out every bit of performance from their system.
However, this also means users will need a quality cooling solution, as the chip can run hot when overclocked. With a 125-watt TDP, it’s not the most power-efficient processor in Intel’s lineup, so it’s important to invest in a good cooler to keep temperatures under control, especially during intense gaming or productivity sessions.
The i5-12600KF is also built on the LGA1700 socket and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility for users looking to build a system with either type of RAM. This gives users the option to build a more affordable system with DDR4 or opt for future-proofing with DDR5 for even better memory bandwidth.
The chip is compatible with a variety of motherboards, providing a wide range of options for users looking to build or upgrade their systems.
Overall, the Intel Core i5-12600KF is currently the best Intel CPU under $150 for both gamers and content creators. Its hybrid core architecture, high clock speeds, and overclocking potential make it an excellent choice for users looking to maximize performance in both gaming and demanding applications.
While it does require a separate cooler and is a bit power-hungry, its performance and flexibility make it an outstanding value in this price range.
- READ ALSO: Best Budget AMD CPUs
3. Intel Core i7-12700KF
Best Intel CPU Under $200
Architecture: Alder Lake | Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 12 | Threads: 20 | Base Frequency: 3.6 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.0 GHz | TDP: 125 W
REASONS TO BUY
- Best performance per dollar under $200
- 12-core, 20-thread design for excellent multitasking and productivity
- Boosts up to 5.0GHz for fast and efficient performance in both single-core workloads
- Excellent gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p
- Handles demanding productivity tasks like video editing or 3D rendering with ease
- Supports overclocking for enthusiasts looking to boost performance
- Compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory for flexibility and future-proofing
- Great value for gamers and professionals on a budget
REASONS TO AVOID
- Requires a high-quality cooler, especially for overclocking or demanding tasks
- 125W TDP, which means higher power consumption compared to lower-end models
Our Rating: 9.8/10
At current prices, the Intel Core i7-12700KF provides the best performance per dollar out of any Intel CPU under $200, offering exceptional performance for gamers, content creators, and power users on a budget.
With 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, this 12-core, 20-thread processor delivers outstanding multitasking and productivity capabilities. It features a base clock of 3.6GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.0GHz, making it incredibly fast and efficient across both single-core and multi-core workloads.
For gaming, the i7-12700KF is a powerhouse. Its excellent single-core performance, combined with the high boost clock, provides smooth and responsive gameplay, especially in CPU-intensive titles.
When paired with mid-to-high-end GPUs like the RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT, it delivers fantastic 1080p and 1440p gaming experiences, ensuring that you get high frame rates and low latency in both Triple-A and esports titles.
The 12-core design also means that this processor handles multitasking with ease, whether you’re streaming, recording, or running background applications while gaming.
In addition to gaming, this CPU excels in demanding productivity tasks. The 12-core architecture allows it to handle professional workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, and software development with ease.
Whether you’re working with 4K video in Premiere Pro, rendering complex scenes in Blender, or compiling large codebases, the i7-12700KF delivers the necessary power to get the job done quickly.
Its multi-threaded performance also ensures that multitasking in professional applications runs smoothly, making it an excellent choice for creators and professionals who need a balance between performance and price.
Another useful feature of this CPU is its unlocked multiplier, which allows you to overclock it for additional performance. Overclocking enthusiasts can push the processor to higher clock speeds, boosting its overall performance even further.
However, with a 125-watt TDP, this chip does require a high-quality cooler to ensure optimal performance and maintain safe temperatures, especially if you’re overclocking or running demanding applications. Investing in a good cooling solution is crucial to avoid thermal throttling and ensure the processor runs at its full potential.
Furthermore, the i7-12700KF is compatible with the LGA1700 socket, offering compatibility with a wide range of motherboards. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving you flexibility in choosing either more affordable DDR4 or future-proofing with the higher performance DDR5.
Overall, the Intel Core i7-12700KF is currently the best-performing Intel CPU under $200, delivering excellent gaming performance, top-notch productivity capabilities, and overclocking potential. Its 12-core, 20-thread design and high boost clock ensure that it performs well in both single-core and multi-core tasks, while its flexibility with DDR4 and DDR5 memory allows users to build a future-proof system.
Although it requires a quality cooler and has a higher power draw than lower-end models, its outstanding performance and value make it the top choice for users looking for a high-performance processor at an affordable price point.
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Final Words
When it comes to budget-friendly Intel CPUs in 2025, you don’t have to sacrifice performance for price.
Whether you’re working with a tight budget or aiming for the best value at your price point, the processors we’ve highlighted offer solid performance for gaming, productivity, and everything in between.
So, whether you choose under $100, $150, or $200, these Intel CPUs will give you the power you need without stretching your wallet too thin.
Happy building!
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