Processors under $400

3 processors under $400 from Intel and AMD. Prices run $305 to $379.

AMDSpec score 9.1

16 Cores, AM4, AMD, Ryzen 9

+16 cores and 32 threads for heavy workloads

+Unlocked for manual overclocking

+AM4 socket uses an older platform

−AM4 socket is an older platform

$315.00-10%List: ~~$349.00~~

as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details

Intel

16 Cores, LGA1700, 125W, Intel

+16 cores with a hybrid P and E core design

+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz

+Unlocked for overclocking

−No integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required

−Requires an LGA1700 socket motherboard

$304.99-9%Was: ~~$333.99~~

as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details

Intel

16 Cores, LGA1700, 125W, Intel

+16 cores with a hybrid P and E core design

+Boost clock of 5.0 to 5.4 GHz

+Integrated graphics included

−Requires an LGA1700 socket motherboard

$379.00-5%Was: ~~$397.00~~

as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details

Compare specs

Cores	Socket	Maker	Processor line	Spec score	Price
16	AM4	AMD	Ryzen 9	9.1	$315.00 as of 11/04/2026 21:41 PST - Details
16	LGA1700	Intel	Core i9	n/a	$304.99 as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details
16	LGA1700	Intel	Core i9	n/a	$379.00 as of 11/04/2026 16:09 PST - Details

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