The AMD Ryzen 9800X3D is the most impressive CPU I’ve ever owned. And it ain’t close. In this current economy though, I’m not going to suggest you break the bank for a high-end gaming chip that costs over $400.
Seeing as brand-new processors can be oh-so expensive, it’s definitely wise to consider buying an older CPU. Going with a chip that’s a few generations old doesn’t mean you have to entirely skimp on performance, either.
Below, I’ve listed some of the most capable older CPUs on the market, most of which can be picked up at reasonable price points.
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AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Credit: Christian Wiediger \ Shutterstock
Even though it’s now four generations old, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is no slouch. This 6 core/12 thread chip remains a capable mid-range processor, despite the fact it launched in 2019.
At time of writing, you can easily pick a second-hand 3600 up for less than $100 —and yes, it’s actually okay to buy a used CPU. If you own an AM4 socket 4 motherboard, you could do a lot worse than this Ryzen 5. A good option for budget-conscious builders, this processor is a decent option for productivity tasks.
The 3600 is also well worth consideration if you’re putting together a mid-range gaming PC. Though it’s not an ideal choice if you want to play the likes of Crimson Desert in 4K, for those on 1080p or 1440p monitors, this chip can provide smooth experiences if paired with a capable GPU.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Credit: Gavin Phillips \ Unsplash
It’s easiest to think of the Ryzen 5 5600X as the big brother of the 3600 I just talked about. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it can be safely overclocked up to 4.6GHz.
Like its less powerful predecessor, the 5600X is more than up to the task of delivering console-beating performance in your favorite PC games. Even in CPU-intensive titles, the 5600X is capable of producing substantially better frame rates than the 3600, provided you pair it with a good GPU.
If you do a bit of research, you should be able to find the Ryzen 5 5600X for under $150. Even over half a decade on from its release, this is one of the best value AM4 socket chips you’re going to find.
Brand
AMD
CPU Model
Ryzen 5
Intel Core i7-4770
Credit: Intel
Despite the fact it first launched in ye olden times of 2013, the Intel Core i7-4770 is still a fairly capable chip that’s worth considering as an option if you’re building a budget rig today.
If you’re pondering putting together a somewhat retro desktop, you’ll find this i7 can still easily cut the mustard when it comes to browsing and light media editing. Gaming isn’t entirely off the table with this Intel processor, either. If you just want to run winning 2D titles like Hades 2 or Hollow Knight: Silksong, the i7-4770 has you covered.
Brand
Intel
CPU Model
Core i7-4770
CPU Speed
3.4 GHz
CPU Socket
LGA 1150
Cores
4
The Intel Core i7-4770 is a 4th-gen CPU that has 4 cores and 8 threats. This processor’s base clock is 3.4GHz, with a boost clock speed of 3.9GHz. It’s built for systems with DDR3 RAM, while it also has its own integrated graphics solution in the form of the HD 4600.
In large part because of its age, you should be able to find the i7-4770 on sale for around $50, which is a small chunk of change for a chip that’s in no way obsolete. Just bear in mind that this CPU only supports DDR3, so if your motherboard has DDR4 memory, this isn’t the processor for you.
Intel Core i7-8700K
Credit: Pawarun Chitchirachan \ Shutterstock
Though it’s now six generations old, the Intel Core i7-8700K is a CPU that still strikes a good balance between price and performance. Look around, and you can occasionally find this chip going for around $110. That’s an enticing price tag for a 6 core/12 thread processor that’s good for multitasking and gaming.
When it was first released back in 2017, the i7-8700K was one of Intel’s first CPUs to boast six cores. Obviously that’s hardly an eye-opening number in a world where the 96-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper exists, yet six cores can still get the job done for many computing tasks.
Capable of drawing up to 95W, the i7-8700K is undoubtedly a little power-hungry, but if your PSU is up to the task, you’ll be rewarded with a chip that’s a capable performer if you’re still gaming at 1080p. And according to recent Steam hardware surveys, that’s still the resolution most gamers play at. With a boost clock of up to 4.7GHz, this 8th-gen i7 is also a decent overclocker.
Intel Core i7-4790K
Credit: Alex Cimbal \ Shutterstock
An oldie but a goodie. This 4th-gen i7 is a 4-core/8-thread CPU that remains a decent choice if you play games that only require a single-core, like all-time classic Kerbal Space Program.
Based on Intel’s Haswell architecture, the i7-4790K is still a strong option for those of you using LGA 1150 motherboards. If funds are a little tight, and you’re looking to put together an affordable but still performant desktop, this i7 remains a surprisingly speedy chip in spite of its age.
Granted, a quartet of cores isn’t going to let you enjoy the graphically incredible joys of path tracing in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. Yet if you’re in the market for an older GPU that will blitz through daily productivity tasks, the Intel Core i7-4790K should be on your list.
Intel Core i5-12600K
Credit: Dave Meikleham \ MakeUseOf
If you’re putting together a high-end system but want to save a few pennies when it comes to your next CPU, the Intel Core i5-12600K is well worth a look. This gen-12, 10-core/16 thread chip can normally be picked up for less than $200, and that outlay gets you some serious processing power.
This LGA 1700 socket CPU is pretty power-hungry with a TDP of 125W (so ensure you’ve got a beefy PSU). Though it sucks down a lot of juice, the i5-12600K is a fantastic option for both prosumer video editors and hardcore gamers.
Those 10-cores mean this puppy can tame even hugely demanding games like Alan Wake 2 with every ray tracing feature cranked to the max. Well, provided you pair it with a high-end Nvidia 50-series graphics card.
That previously mentioned TDP means you’ll need a good CPU cooler, though, so learn from my errors and don’t avoid liquid cooling like I did for years.
Brand
Intel
CPU Model
Core I5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
Image by Jayric Maning –no attributions requiredCredit: Jayric Maning / MakeUseOf
Arguably the best AM4 gaming CPU you’ll find anywhere. This 8-core/16-thread beast is the perfect chip to drop into a rig that might have a slightly aging motherboard socket. Though it’s a couple of years old now, it’s hardly long in the tooth.
Providing you can find the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X for around $200-220, I’d say you’re getting a great deal on what’s still one of the most capable gaming chips around. If you’re putting together a build with a high-end GPU, such as the RTX 5080, this 3D V-cache bolstered processor should be able to easily handle your favorite Steam games in 4K at PS5 Pro-beating frame rates.
Just bear in mind this CPU is heavily targeted towards gaming. As such, you’ll need a quality cooling system to prevent overheating. With that quick aside, I’ve got zero reservations about recommending the Ryzen 7 5700X3D.
