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Processors under $250

All processors

50 processors under $250 from Intel and AMD. Most cost $164 to $240, and half cost less than $195.

AMDSpec score 8.2

6 Cores, AM4, 105W, AMD

+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+Includes 3D V-Cache technology
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
−Heatsink not included with the boxed processor
$219.99
as of 11/04/2026 17:10 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 7.9

6 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+6 cores for everyday desktop computing
+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
−No integrated graphics, so a discrete graphics card is required
$240.70
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 7.8

4 Cores, Intel, Pentium, Yes

+Integrated graphics included for use without a discrete card
+4 cores and 8 threads for light multitasking
+Pentium family processor for basic desktop computing
−Pentium family is an entry-level line for basic tasks
$199.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 7.8

4 Cores, LGA1200, 65W, Intel

+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz for quick single-threaded tasks
+4 cores and 8 threads for everyday multitasking
+Uses the LGA1200 socket
−Only 4 cores limits heavy multithreaded workloads
−Core i3 family is a lower tier than Core i5 and above
$166.95
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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LGA1151, 91W

+Quad-core, quad-thread design at 3.8GHz
+Rated at 91W thermal design power
+Uses the LGA1151 socket for compatible motherboards
−91W thermal design power needs adequate case cooling
$189.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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4 Cores, LGA1151, 65W

+Quad-core design at 3.4GHz for multitasking
+Rated at 65W thermal design power for lower heat output
+Uses the LGA1151 socket for compatible motherboards
−Quad-core design has fewer cores than six-core and higher processors
$241.47
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

LGA1700, Intel, Core i5, No

+LGA1700 socket for compatible Intel motherboards
+Core i5 family for mainstream desktop performance
+No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is required
−No integrated graphics means a discrete graphics card is needed
$161.10
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

LGA1151, Intel, Core i5, No

+6 cores and 6 threads for everyday desktop tasks
+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz
+65W TDP for a moderate power envelope
−No integrated graphics means a discrete graphics card is needed
$194.03
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
Intel

65W, Intel, Core i5, No

+6 cores for everyday computing and gaming builds
+65 W thermal design power for moderate cooling requirements
+Sold as a tray processor for system builders
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$200.03
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.7

10 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i5

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock between 4.0 and 4.9 GHz
+LGA1700 socket for compatible motherboards
$188.54
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.2

6 Cores, AM5, 65W, AMD

+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+AM5 socket for newer AM5 motherboards
+65 W TDP for moderate power draw
$206.99
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.2

6 Cores, AM5, AMD, Ryzen 5

+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+Unlocked desktop processor for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM5 socket for current motherboards
$209.15
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.2

6 Cores, LGA1200, 65W, Intel

+Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
+65W TDP for a standard cooling setup
+Uses the LGA1200 socket on the 400 Series platform
$239.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.2

6 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+6 cores with 12 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz
+Integrated graphics included
$245.83
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMD

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen 7

+Eight cores for demanding multitasking workloads
+Made by AMD in the Ryzen 7 family
+Base clock of 3.40 GHz for steady performance
$179.54
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
Intel

6 Cores, Intel, Core i7

+Six cores for heavier multitasking workloads
+Hyper-Threading Technology supports additional simultaneous threads
+15MB cache for faster access to frequently used data
$169.99
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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LGA1155

+3rd Gen design built on 22nm process
+Fits LGA1155 socket motherboards
−Name lists several models, so exact model is unclear
$181.69
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
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LGA2011

+Fits LGA2011 socket motherboards
−Name lists several models, so exact model is unclear
$188.55
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.6

8 Cores, AMD, Ryzen Threadripper

+16 threads: only 4 of 34 here have more threads
+8 cores: 21 of the 41 here have fewer cores
$230.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:08 PST - Details

Compare specs

processorCoresSocketMakerProcessor lineSpec scorePrice
6AM4AMDRyzen 58.2$219.99
as of 11/04/2026 17:10 PST - Details
6LGA1151IntelCore i57.9$240.70
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
4IntelPentium7.8$199.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
4LGA1200IntelCore i37.8$166.95
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
LGA1151n/a$189.00
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
4LGA1151n/a$241.47
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
LGA1700IntelCore i5n/a$161.10
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
LGA1151IntelCore i5n/a$194.03
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelCore i5n/a$200.03
as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
10LGA1700IntelCore i58.7$188.54
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details

Before you buy

Spec scores, pros and cons, and prices are explained in the How it works section of the About page.