The fierce competition that exists between Intel and AMD is proving to be very beneficial for consumers, as it has forced both giants to offer high-performance products at increasingly competitive pricesand this has meant that some of the best gaming processors can be purchased today for less than 200 euros.
Yes, you are not dreaming, and the truth is that the thing goes even further, because thanks to that competition and the concurrence of different generations nowadays we can find even very capable models for less than 100 euros, and some of them are integrated into advanced platforms that will still have a long service life.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? And I’m sure you’re wondering What are the best gaming processors for less than 200 euros.. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you in doubt. Read on, in this guide we are going to offer you a selection of the three best gaming processors available on the market for less than 200 euros.
In case you have any doubts about what a good gaming processor should have, you will find all the information you need in this guide. However, if you still have any doubts you can leave them in the comments and we will help you to solve it.
Best gaming processors for less than 100 euros.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (refurbished)
It is a processor with 6 cores and 12 threads which runs at 3.4 GHz-3.9 GHz, has 16 MB of L3 cache, uses Zen+ architecture (12 nm) and has a TDP of 65 watts. As a refurbished product it does not include the Wraith Stealth fan, so we have to buy a heatsink to start using it. All in all, it’s worth it for the price-cost value it offers, since as we’ll see it’s very cheap.
Its IPC is almost at the same level as that of a Core Gen6 (Skylake).although it tends to perform a little less because its maximum operating frequencies are not as high. We can get it for only 56,25 €.
Positive points.
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for gaming.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Cool and with moderate power consumption.
- Very economical.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
Intel Core i3-10105F
Although we are dealing with a processor of 4 cores and 8 threadsThe truth is that its performance is still good in games, and it is a very interesting option to build a gaming PC with a limited budget.
It is based on the Comet Lake-S architecture (14 nm++), runs at 3.7 GHz-4.4 GHz, normal and turbo mode, has 6 MB of L3 cache and its TDP is 65 watts. It does not improve IPC vs. Skylake, but its single-threaded performance is superior thanks to its higher working frequencies, and it performs better than other processors with more cores and threads in games that do not require more than 8 threads.
Includes a fan which complies without problems, and has a very interesting price, €73.62.
Positive points.
- 4 cores and 8 threads, minimum level for gaming.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Cool and with low power consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Affordable price.
Best gaming processors for between 100 and 150 euros.
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
It is one of the best processors currently available in the €110 range. It has 6 cores and 12 threads based on Zen 3 architecture (7 nm), runs at 3.6 GHz-4.2 GHz, has 16 MB of L3 cache and a TDP of 65 watts.
Its IPC falls between Zen 2 and Zen 3. because it has less L3 cache than a Ryzen 5 5600 (this one has 32 MB), but in cost-performance ratio it is unbeatable within its price range. It includes a Wraith Stealth fan that does its job.
We can get it for 109,89 €..
Positive points.
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for gaming.
- Good IPC, ready for demanding games.
- Cool and with moderate consumption.
- Economical.
- Includes fan.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
Intel Core i3-12100F
A processor of 4 cores and 8 threads which represents a substantial improvement over the Intel Core i3-10105F, as it uses the Golden Cove architecture (second-generation 10 nm SuperFin) and has a much higher IPC. It runs at 3.3 GHz-4.3 GHz, and has 12 MB of L3 cache.
Its TDP is 65 watts, it comes with a heatsink that is able to keep it cool without problems and. is integrated into a state-of-the-art platform. It offers a very good value for money.
It is priced at 109,99 €.
Positive points.
- 4 cores and 8 threads, minimum level for gaming.
- Very good IPC, ready for demanding games.
- Cool and with moderate consumption.
- Economical.
- Includes fan.
- Supports DDR5 and DDR4.
- Integrates 16 PCIe Gen5 lanes.
Intel Core i5-10400F
This processor has 6 cores and 12 threadsand it is the cheapest chip that Intel has on the market right now with this configuration, which, as we have said, fits the optimal level for gaming. It runs at 2.9 GHz-4.3 GHz, and it’s in the Comet Lake-S (14 nm++) and has a TDP of 65 watts.
Its IPC is identical to that of the Skylake series, but it performs much better thanks to its larger cache memory, higher working frequencies and more cores and threads. It comes with an included fan that keeps temperatures down. at completely safe values.
We can get it for only 114,55 €.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for gaming.
- Acceptable IPC even in demanding games.
- Cool and with low power consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Good price.
Intel Core i5-11400F
It is an evolution of the previous one that maintains the configuration of 6 cores and 12 threadsbut uses the Cypress Cove architecture (14 nm+++). It is slightly more powerful than the Core i5-10400F, by 2% to 7%. depending on the particular scenario, although it is also slightly more expensive.
It runs at 2.6 GHz-4.4 GHz, has 12 MB of L3 cache, and its TDP is 65 watts. It comes with a standard fan that also performs flawlessly, and has IPC level improvements versus the previous generation.
It is available for €134,99.
Positive points
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for gaming.
- Good IPC even in demanding games.
- Cool and with low power consumption.
- Includes fan.
- Reasonable price.
- PCIe Gen4.
Best gaming processors for between 151 and 200 euros.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Undoubtedly one of the best gaming processors we can buy in this price range. It has 6 cores and 12 threads based on Zen 3 architecture (7 nm) running at 3.5 GHz-4.4 GHz, adds 32 MB of L3 cache, has a TDP of 65 watts and comes with a house fan that delivers, though not optimally.
Its IPC is very good and is a significant jump over Zen 2, it is. more powerful than the Ryzen 5 5500 and overall it is a better choice if we can afford that price difference between the two.
We can get it for 164,90 €.
Positive points.
- 6 cores and 12 threads, optimal level for gaming.
- Very good IPC, ready for demanding games.
- Cool and with moderate consumption.
- Good price-performance value.
- Includes fan, although it delivers just enough.
- Compatible with AM4 300, 400 and 500 series motherboards.
- PCIe Gen4.
Intel Core i5-12400F
This processor is a very interesting alternative to the previous one, because although in terms of performance it plays in a similar league, it is integrated into a more current platform. and supports both PCIe Gen5 and DDR5 memory.
It has 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Golden Cove architecture (10 nm second-generation SuperFin), runs at 2.5 GHz-4.4 GHz, adds 18 MB of L3 cache and has a TDP of 65 watts. It comes with a fan that delivers flawlessly.
We can buy it for 179.99 euros.
Positive points.
- 6 cores and 12 threads, minimum level for gaming.
- Very good IPC, ready for demanding games.
- Cool and with moderate consumption.
- Good price-performance value.
- Includes fan.
- Supports DDR5 and DDR4.
- Integrates 16 PCIe Gen5 lanes.
Note: This selection contains some links from our affiliates, but none of the products included have been proposed or recommended by them or their manufacturers, but chosen at our own discretion.
