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.