The fierce competition that exists between Intel and AMD is being very beneficial for consumers, since it has forced both giants to offer high-performance products at increasingly competitive pricesand this has meant that some of the best gaming processors can be bought today for less than 200 euro.
Yes, you are not dreaming, and the truth is that things go even further, because thanks to this competition and the concurrence of different generations, today we can even find very capable models for less than 100 euros, and some of them are integrated into advanced platforms that will still have a long lifespan.
Sounds good right? And I’m sure you’re wondering what are the best processors for gaming for less than 200 euros. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you wondering. Keep reading, because in this guide we are going to offer you a selection with the three best gaming processors available on the market for less than 200 euros.
In case you have doubts about what a good processor for quiet gaming should have, in this guide you will find all the information you need. However, if you have any questions you can leave it in the comments and we will help you solve it.
Best processors for gaming for less than 100 euros
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (Refurbished)
It is a processor with 6 cores and 12 threads which runs at 3.4GHz-3.9GHz, has 16MB L3 cache, uses Zen+ architecture (12nm) and has a TDP of 65W. Being a refurbished product does not include the Wraith Stealth fan, so we have to buy a heatsink to start using it. All in all, it is worth it for the price-cost value it offers, since as we will see it is very cheap.
Your CPI is almost at the same level as that of a Core Gen6 (Skylake), although it usually performs a little less because its maximum working frequencies are not so high. We can get it for just 56.25 euro.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for games.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Fresh and with moderate consumption.
- Very economical.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
Intel Core i3-10105F
Although we are dealing with a processor of 4 cores and 8 threadsthe truth is that its performance is still good in games, and it is a very interesting option to build a gaming PC with a limited budget.
It is based on Comet Lake-S (14 nm++) architecture, runs at 3.7 GHz-4.4 GHz, normal and turbo mode, has 6 MB of L3 cache, and its TDP is 65 watts. It does not improve the IPC compared to Skylake, but its single-thread performance is superior thanks to its higher working frequencies, and it performs better than other processors with more cores and threads in games that do not require more than 8 threads.
Includes a fan that complies without problems, and has a very interesting price, 73.62 euro.
Positive points
- 4 cores and 8 threads, minimum level for games.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Fresh and with low consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Affordable price.
Best processors for gaming for between 100 and 150 euros
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
It is one of the best processors that currently exist in the 110 euro range. It has 6 cores and 12 threads. Based on Zen 3 (7nm) architecture, it runs at 3.6GHz-4.2GHz, has 16MB L3 cache and a 65W TDP.
Its IPC is between Zen 2 and Zen 3 because it has less L3 cache than a Ryzen 5 5600 (this one has 32 MB), but in terms of cost-performance it is unbeatable within its price range. Includes a Wraith Stealth fan that gets the job done.
We can get it by €109.89.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for games.
- Good IPC, prepared for demanding games.
- Fresh and with moderate consumption.
- Economic.
- Includes fan.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
Intel Core i3-12100F
a processor 4 cores and 8 threads which represents a substantial improvement over the Intel Core i3-10105F, since it uses the Golden Cove architecture (10 nm SuperFin of the second generation) and has a much higher CPI. It runs at 3.3GHz-4.3GHz, and has 12MB of L3 cache.
Its TDP is 65 watts, it comes with a heatsink that is capable of keeping it cool without problems and integrates into a next-generation platform. It offers very good value for money.
It has a price of €109.99.
Positive points
- 4 cores and 8 threads, minimum level for games.
- Very good IPC, prepared for demanding games.
- Fresh and with moderate consumption.
- Economic.
- Includes fan.
- Supports DDR5 and DDR4.
- It integrates 16 PCIe Gen5 lanes.
Intel Core i5-10400F
This processor has 6 cores and 12 threads, and it is the cheapest chip that Intel has on the market right now with that configuration which, as we have said, fits the optimal level for gaming. It works at 2.9 GHz-4.3 GHz, it is framed in the generation Comet Lake-S (14nm++) and has a TDP of 65 watts.
Its IPC is identical to that of the Skylake series, but it performs much better thanks to its greater amount of cache memory, increased work frequencies and its greater number of cores and threads. It comes with an included fan that maintains temperatures in totally safe values.
We can get it for just €114.55.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for games.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Fresh and with low consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Good price.
Intel Core i5-11400F
It is an evolution of the previous one that maintains the configuration of 6 cores and 12 threads, but uses the Cypress Cove architecture (14 nm+++). It is slightly more powerful than the Core i5-10400F, between 2% and 7% depending on each specific scenario, although it is also a little more expensive.
It runs at 2.6 GHz-4.4 GHz, has 12 MB of L3 cache, and its TDP is 65 watts. It comes with a standard fan that also performs without problems, and has improvements at the IPC level compared to the previous generation.
It is available by €134.99.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for games.
- Good IPC even in demanding games.
- Fresh and with low consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Reasonable price.
- PCIe Gen4.
Best processors for gaming for between 151 and 200 euros
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Without a doubt one of the best gaming processors that we can buy in this price range. Have 6 cores and 12 threads based on Zen 3 architecture (7 nm) running at 3.5 GHz-4.4 GHz, adds 32 MB of L3 cache, has a TDP of 65 watts and comes with a house fan that meets, although not optimally .
Its IPC is very good and it represents an important leap compared to Zen 2, it is more powerful than the Ryzen 5 5500 and in general it is a better option if we can pay that price difference between the two.
We can get it by €164.90.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for games.
- Very good IPC, prepared for demanding games.
- Fresh and with moderate consumption.
- Good price-performance value.
- Includes fan, although it meets justito.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
- PCIe Gen4.
Intel Core i5-12400F
This processor is a very interesting alternative to the previous one, because although in terms of performance it plays in a similar league, integrates with a more current platform and supports both PCIe Gen5 and DDR5 memory.
Have 6 cores and 12 threads Based on the Golden Cove architecture (10nm SuperFin 2nd generation), it runs at 2.5GHz-4.4GHz, adds 18MB of L3 cache and has a TDP of 65W. It comes with a fan that works fine.
We can buy it for €179.99.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, minimum level for games.
- Very good IPC, prepared for demanding games.
- Fresh and with moderate consumption.
- Good price-performance value.
- Includes fan.
- Supports DDR5 and DDR4.
- It integrates 16 PCIe Gen5 lanes.
Note: This selection contains some links from our affiliates, but none of the products included have been proposed or recommended by them or their manufacturers, but chosen at our own discretion.
