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Processors under $250

All processors

7 processors under $250 from Intel and AMD. Most cost $189 to $234, and half cost less than $197.

IntelSpec score 8.7

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, No

+10 cores with 6 performance and 4 efficiency cores
+16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock between 4.0 and 4.9 GHz
−No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
$161.08-10%Was: $178.97
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.7

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, Yes

+10 cores with 6 performance and 4 efficiency cores
+Boost clock up to 4.7 GHz
+16 threads for multitasking
$196.50-6%Was: $208.39
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
AMDSpec score 8.6

8 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 7

+8 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Unlocked for manual overclocking
+Uses the AM4 socket
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$194.86
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
IntelSpec score 8.7

10 Cores, LGA1700, Intel, Core i5

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Turbo boost up to 4.6 GHz
+LGA1700 socket for compatible motherboards
−No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
$234.59
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
IntelSpec score 8.7

10 Cores, Intel, Core i5, No

+10 cores and 16 threads for multitasking
+Boost clock up to 4.9 GHz
+20 MB cache
−No integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is needed
$234.29
as of 11/04/2026 13:08 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

Compare specs

processorCoresSocketMakerProcessor lineSpec scorePrice
10IntelCore i58.7$161.08
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
10IntelCore i58.7$196.50
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
8AM4AMDRyzen 78.6$194.86
as of 11/04/2026 12:07 PST - Details
10LGA1700IntelCore i58.7$234.59
as of 11/04/2026 16:08 PST - Details
8AMDRyzen Threadripper8.6$230.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:08 PST - Details
10IntelCore i58.7$234.29
as of 11/04/2026 13:08 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.