Ultra-Low-Budget Options (MSRPs Below $90)
Midrange Budget Processors (MSRP $90 to $150)
Upper-End Budget Processors ($150 to $200)
A Key Consideration: Thinking About Platforms
Shopping Budget CPUs: A 2021 Chip Cheat Sheet
Need More Info on Which Budget CPU to Buy?
Compare Specs: Our Picks Side by Side
When shopping for computer components, it’s often tempting to buy the latest, fastest hardware you can afford but there’s a line of diminishing returns that’s too easy to cross. That’s double-true here in 2021, with shortages of CPUs and GPUs up and down the market especially at the top making the PC DIY and upgrade world fraught with pinches and aches.