Top 10 Budget CPUs You Can Buy in 2026 — Specs, Prices & Performance
- krisdtadam
- Jan 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 17
Processors have significantly advanced, and it's no longer necessary to spend a lot to achieve excellent performance for gaming, content creation, or daily computing tasks. Here is our comprehensive list of the top budget CPUs currently available, encompassing various price ranges, use cases, and performance tiers
Understanding Your Needs
If you want top performance without spending a fortune on the latest CPU, let's explore budget-friendly options that deliver beast-like performance at a lower cost.
Intel Core i5-12600K (LGA1700) — The budget “performance punch”
Price (INR): ~₹19,650
Specs: 10C/16T (6P+4E), boosts high, unlocked (needs decent cooler)
Socket: LGA1700
Compatibility: Best on B660/B760/Z690/Z790; DDR4 keeps build cheaper
Best for: maximum CPU performance per rupee (especially productivity)
Intel Core i5-14400F (LGA1700) — Great “modern” budget i5
Price (INR): ~₹18,600
Specs: 10C/16T (hybrid), no iGPU
Socket: LGA1700
Compatibility: Works on many 600/700-series boards (BIOS update may be needed on some older boards)
Best for: gaming and productivity, strong all-rounder (with a GPU)
3. AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (AM5) — Best “entry AM5” performance
Price (INR): ~₹17,508 (Amazon) (often varies by seller)
Specs: 6C/12T, up to ~5.1GHz boost, 65W, has basic iGPU
Socket: AM5
Compatibility: AM5 motherboard + DDR5 (platform cost higher than AM4, but better upgrade runway)
Best for: high-FPS gaming + future upgrades (AM5 platform)
4. Intel Core i5-13400F (LGA1700) — Big uplift for multitasking
Price (INR): ~₹17,500
Specs: 10C/16T (hybrid), boosts around mid-4GHz range, no iGPU
Socket: LGA1700
Compatibility: B660/B760 recommended; DDR4 or DDR5.
Best for: gaming + heavy multitasking + budget creator PC (with a GPU)
5. AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (AM5) — Budget CPU + strong iGPU option
Price (INR): ~₹15,400
Specs: 6C/12T, up to ~5.0 GHz boost, integrated Radeon graphics
Socket: AM5
Compatibility: Requires AM5 board (A620/B650/etc.) + DDR5
Best for: builds without a graphics card (Radeon iGPU), compact PCs
6. Intel Core i5-12400F (LGA1700) — Balanced budget beast
Price (INR): ~₹14,900
Specs: 6C/12T, up to ~4.4GHz boost, no iGPU
Socket: LGA1700
Compatibility: Runs great on H610/B660/B760; DDR4 is the cheapest route
Best for: gaming and productivity balance (with a GPU)
7. AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (AM4) — Cheapest 8C/16T powerhouse
Price (INR): ~₹13,700
Specs: 8C/16T, up to ~4.6 GHz boost, 65 W, no iGPU
Socket: AM4
Compatibility: B550/X570 recommended, DDR4
Best for: creators on a budget (editing, rendering, heavy multitasking)
8. AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (AM4) — The AM4 value king
Price (INR): ~₹11,850
Specs: 6C/12T, up to ~4.4GHz boost, 65W, no iGPU
Socket: AM4
Compatibility: Great match with B550 (PCIe 4.0 support), DDR4
Best for: budget gaming + streaming + light editing (with a GPU)
9. Intel Core i3-12100F (LGA1700) — Best “tight budget” gaming CPU
Price (INR): ~₹10,650
Specs: 4C/8T, up to ~4.3GHz boost, no iGPU (“F” model)
Socket: LGA1700
Compatibility: H610/B660/B760 + DDR4 or DDR5 (depends on motherboard)
Best for: eSports/1080p gaming builds + office work (with a GPU)
10. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (AM4) — Cheapest 6C/12T all-rounder
Price (INR): ~₹8,550
Specs: 6C/12T, up to ~4.2GHz boost, 65W, no iGPU
Socket: AM4
Compatibility: Works with most AM4 boards (B450/B550/X570; BIOS may be needed). Uses DDR4
Best for: ultra-budget gaming + daily work (with a GPU)
What These Specs Mean
Cores & Threads: More cores/threads = better multitasking and productivity.
Boost Clock: A higher boost helps gaming & single-thread tasks.
Cache: A larger cache (e.g., 3D V-Cache) boosts gaming performance.
Socket Compatibility: AM5 = new AMD boards, strong upgrade path; LGA1700 = Intel 12th–14th gen; FCLGA1851 = newest Intel Ultra platform
Processor Benchmark Comparison: Performance Scores of the Best CPUs
To make your research easier, we’ve compiled a detailed processor benchmark comparison table below, eliminating the need to search for individual CPU benchmark scores. This all-in-one reference helps you quickly compare performance and choose the best processor for your needs.
Rank | CPU | Socket | C/T | Price (₹) | CPU Mark (Multi) |
1 | Intel i5-12600KF | LGA1700 | 10/16 | ~19,650 | 27,583 |
2 | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 | AM5 | 6/12 | ~17,508 | 27,015 |
3 | AMD Ryzen 7 5700X | AM4 | 8/16 | ~13,700 | 26,604 |
4 | Intel i5-14400F | LGA1700 | 10/16 | ~18,600 | 25,620 |
5 | Intel i5-13400F | LGA1700 | 10/16 | ~17,500 | 25,014 |
6 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | AM4 | 6/12 | ~11,850 | 21,549 |
7 | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G | AM5 | 6/12 | ~15,400 | 21,474 |
8 | Intel i5-12400F | LGA1700 | 6/12 | ~14,900 | 19,556 |
9 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AM4 | 6/12 | ~8,550 | 19,307 |
10 | Intel i3-12100F | LGA1700 | 4/8 | ~10,650 | 13,977 |
Platform & Upgrade Considerations (Important)
When choosing a processor, always consider the platform, not just raw performance:
AM5 Platform (AMD): Best long-term upgrade path, DDR5 support, future CPU compatibility
LGA1700 (Intel): Mature platform, wide motherboard availability
LGA1851 (Intel Ultra): Newest platform with modern features, but higher motherboard cost
Investing in the right socket today can save you money on future upgrades.
Expert Buying Tip
If you tend to upgrade your PC every 4–5 years, focus on platform longevity rather than top benchmark scores. For frequent upgrades, opt for the highest-performing CPU that fits your budget.
Always verify current prices and motherboard compatibility before purchasing, as prices in the Indian market fluctuate frequently.
Related Articles:
Ultimate Guide to Building Your Own Gaming PC
Best GPUs for Gaming & Content Creation in 2025 – Buyer’s Guide
Top Gaming PC Configurations for 2026