Processors under $250

All processors

9 processors under $250 from Intel and AMD. Most cost $194 to $243, and half cost less than $229.

IntelSpec score 8.1

8 Cores, LGA1151, 95W, Intel

+8 cores and 8 threads for multitasking

+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz

+Includes integrated graphics

−Higher 95W thermal design power than the F model

−Socket LGA1151 limits upgrades to older boards

$229.00-12%Was: ~~$259.00~~

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

IntelSpec score 8.1

8 Cores, LGA1151, 65W, Intel

+8 cores and 8 threads for multitasking

+Boost clock of 4.0 to 4.9 GHz

+Low 65W thermal design power

−No integrated graphics, needs a separate graphics card

−Not unlocked, so overclocking is not supported

$219.99-11%Was: ~~$247.30~~

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 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

$241.36

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Yrwygcgwy

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 11/03/2026 23:33 PST - Details

Yrwygcgwy

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 11/03/2026 23:33 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 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

IntelSpec score 7.6

4 Cores, LGA1151, 65W, Intel

+Four cores and four threads for everyday computing

+Boost clock listed up to 4.9 GHz

+65W TDP for a standard cooling setup

$200.05

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Intel

LGA1151, Intel, Core i5

+Skylake architecture with Core i5 family design

+Fits LGA1151 socket motherboards

$243.15

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 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

$246.24

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Compare specs

Cores	Socket	Maker	Processor line	Spec score	Price
8	LGA1151	Intel	Core i7	8.1	$229.00 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
8	LGA1151	Intel	Core i7	8.1	$219.99 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
6	LGA1151	Intel	Core i5	7.9	$241.36 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
	LGA1151			n/a	$189.00 as of 11/03/2026 23:33 PST - Details
4	LGA1151			n/a	$241.47 as of 11/03/2026 23:33 PST - Details
	LGA1151	Intel	Core i5	n/a	$194.03 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
4	LGA1151	Intel	Core i3	7.6	$200.05 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
	LGA1151	Intel	Core i5	n/a	$243.15 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
6	LGA1151	Intel	Core i5	8.2	$246.24 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

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