Best CPU Under $100 in 2023

AMD Ryzen 3 4100

We chose the Ryzen 3 4100 as the best CPU that costs less than $100. It is a 4-core, 8-thread processor that beats the competition in this price range. In 2023, it is also one of the few multithreaded CPUs that cost less than $100.

This is a key measurement for multithreaded applications, but some of the other CPUs on this list use a slightly different method. Having the ability to run multiple threads lets you handle more complex tasks that need the ability to run multiple threads.

The Ryzen 3 4100 will perform better than almost all other processors in this price range, whether you’re playing CPU-intensive games that use multithreading or doing other CPU-intensive tasks.

You will also appreciate the extra threads and processing power if you do a lot of different things at once or do some light video editing.

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As we go through this article, we’ll refer back to User Benchmarks to get an idea of what speeds to expect. The Ryzen 3 chip has the fastest single-core speed of this list at 128 points, but the doubled thread count really makes it shine in multitasking or multithreaded workloads at 689 points.

Later, we’ll talk about an AMD Ryzen 3200G. Even though AMD’s naming scheme can be confusing, the 3200G is a Zen+ or 3rd generation Ryzen processor, and the “G” means that it’s an APU or a CPU with a built-in graphics engine.

The Ryzen 3 4100 is a Zen 2 processor, which is also called a 4th Generation Ryzen processor. It has a newer architecture than the 3200G, but it still works with the AM4 socket type.

With a newer motherboard and Zen 2 architecture, the Ryzen 3 4100 is also compatible with PCIe 4.0 technology. This means faster transfer with graphics, memory, and SSD when paired with compatible memory, SSD, and graphics hardware. This is another processor on this list that needs a separate graphics card.

Overall, the Ryzen 3 4100 is the best processor under $100 in terms of raw processing power and ability to handle multi-threaded or complex workloads.

This makes the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 the best budget CPU you can get because it can handle advanced gaming, light streaming, and even some light video editing. This is our top pick for a graphics card that costs less than $100 if you already have or plan to use a separate graphics card.

Intel Core i3-9100F

The Intel Core i3-9100F is number three. This processor has 4 cores and 4 threads and works with the LGA 1151 socket and 300 series chipset motherboards.

If you are replacing an older CPU, please check the specs of your motherboard to make sure they are compatible. If this is the case, you may need to update your BIOS to make this processor work.

Core i3-9100F uses 65 watts of power and is compatible with Intel Optane memory. This CPU also has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and can go up to 4.2 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost.

With 4 cores and one thread per core, the i3-9100F will do a good job with single-core applications. According to the User Benchmark score, the single-core speed is around 120 points (445 points on octa-core multithreaded tests).

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The i3-9100F doesn’t have built-in graphics that would let it play simple media files right out of the box. To go with this processor, you should plan to buy a separate graphics card.

If you want to use this for a media center computer, you can set it up “headless,” but keep in mind that you need graphics to use the processor for regular PC tasks.

The i3-9100F also comes with a cooling fan that runs smoothly and quietly, which is another thing that makes it stand out from the competition.

In short, if you want a cheap processor for gaming (with the purchase of a separate graphics card), media center, daily web, email, and video chat use, this is a good deal, especially if you are just upgrading from an Intel CPU to an Intel CPU and already have a discrete graphics card.

Intel Core i3-10100F

The Intel i3-10100F is our second pick, and our first if you want an Intel CPU. Like our first choice, this is an older processor from a few generations ago, but it still works great for budget gaming builds.

Like the Ryzen 3 4100, this is not an APU, so it doesn’t have a graphics chip built in. Instead, you will need to buy a separate graphics card.

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The Core i3-10100F also has a total of 4 cores and 8 processing threads. The 10th generation was the first to use hyper-threading, and luckily for you, this is the only processor with hyper-threading that costs less than $100.

It also fits into the newer LGA 1200 socket, which means it works with newer motherboards and better chipsets. It also supports Intel Optane memory, which is nice, but if you want to install the latest DDR5 memory, you’ll have to pay more for a newer-generation processor because the 10100F doesn’t support it.

The i3-10100F has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and can go up to 4.3 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost. This is a very small improvement over the 9th generation, and it cannot be overclocked. If you want to overclock, you should look for an AMD processor because all of their processors, even the cheapest ones, can be overclocked.

Also, the speed of a single core is tested at around 120 points, and the speed of a multicore with multiple threads is tested at 588 points.

The most important thing to take away from this is that the i3-10100F is a CPU with great single-core and multi-core performance. It also has enough power to handle advanced gaming, office work, photo editing, light video editing, and most other basic computer tasks very well.

If you pair this processor with a powerful GPU, like an RTX 3060 Ti or even one of the newest 40-series Nvidia GPUs, it will also be easy to play new games.

Another important thing to remember is that this processor comes with a cooler, so you don’t have to budget for that. This may make this processor more appealing than the competition.

Overall, the i3-10100F is about the same as the Ryzen 3 4100, even though we put it at number two on this list. You’ll get enough processing power for most tasks, including gaming, great power efficiency, and a good air cooler– If you’re on Team Blue, this is the best CPU for you that costs less than $100.

Intel Celeron G4920

The Intel Celeron G4290 is last, but not least.

Many people are familiar with the names Intel and Celeron because they have been around for a long time. This is something you might want to think about if you want to buy a processor from a brand and series that has been around for a long time.

The G4920 has two cores and two threads, and its base clock speed is 3.2 GHz. This is another option for people who don’t want to spend much on a processor. It’s one of the cheapest on this list.

With the Intel series 300 configuration, the G4920 fits into an LGA 1151 socket. The processor is another APU model that has the Intel UHD 610 graphics processor built right into the chip. The processor comes with a low-profile cooler that might work in a mini-ITX case for a computer that needs to save space.

Also, the average benchmarks for a single-core user are 87.2 points, while the average benchmarks for an octa-core user are 169 points.

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Even though this processor doesn’t perform as well as most because it doesn’t have hyperthreading (which uses multiple threads per core) and only has 2 cores, it may be a good fit for many applications.

The G4920 is a good home office computer that can also be used to look at photos and watch movies. This processor is very small, but it can handle these simple tasks well. This is a popular choice for people who want a reliable processor that doesn’t need much maintenance and are building a mini-ITX design.

It can be overclocked, but because it makes more heat, you should be careful if you try to do it in a small case. With the lower number of cores and threads, you should pay attention to your applications and make sure they don’t need more than 2 cores to run correctly. If they do, you may find that multi-threaded applications run more slowly than they do on processors with 4 or 2 cores and multiple threads.

Another important way to use this processor is to replace an existing unit that may have the same size, cooling, and socket configurations as this one.

AMD Ryzen 3 3200G

The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is another 4-core, 4-thread processor that works well, but it’s not as fast as Intel’s single-core processors.

This unit, on the other hand, has an AMD Vega 8 graphics processor built in. That’s why we chose it as our second choice from AMD.

The 3200G is not the second fastest CPU on this list, but it is the first AMD choice on this list of processors with built-in graphics.

Even though it has a slower single-core speed than some of the other CPUs on this list (105 Pts on user benchmarks and 414 Pts on octa-core multithreaded tests), it is a good deal because it has a good graphics chip built in.

This is where the Ryzen 3200G really shines, with its ability to do a good job with daily computing tasks and the ability to have a budget stand-alone processor that will do a good job with some basic gaming, media play, or plex media server.

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The Ryzen 3200G does come with a Wraith cooler as part of the CPU package. The CPU can be overclocked up to an average of 4.0 GHz, like all Ryzen processors, and it works with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards.

Keep in mind that this is a Zen+ architecture, not a Zen 2 architecture. If you want the best performance, you don’t need to look for newer motherboards; the older series motherboards will do the job.

In conclusion, the Ryzen 3 3200G is a great choice for people with a budget of less than $100 who want a good APU (CPU with built-in graphics). Also, a stock cooler is included, which makes this an even better deal.

AMD Athlon 240GE

The AMD Athlon 240GE is another processor with two cores and four threads. It is another APU with built-in graphics on the same chip. And just like with the other APUs, you will need to plan for more memory because the graphics will use your system memory to do their work.

The Athlon 240GE has AMD Vega graphics, so you can play simple games at 720p and do other light graphic tasks like viewing videos and photos. It will also do a good job with simple home office tasks.

One advantage over other CPUs in this series is that you get an AMD Wraith Stealth cooler as a stock cooler. This might be a big deal for people who are on a very tight budget.

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The 240GE fits in the AM4 socket and works well with RAM speeds up to 2667 Mhz. It’s unlocked for overclocking, and we can easily speed it up from its standard base clock of 3.5 GHz to 4.0 GHz.

Benchmarks from users show that the Athlon 240GE is almost as fast as the 3000G, with 91.2 points for single-threaded tasks and 272 points for octa-core multi-threaded tasks. Even though the four threads are not a true replacement for the number of cores, they do let you do a good job of multitasking on a tighter budget.

The similarities between the Athlon 3000G and the 240GE don’t come as a surprise since the 240GE came out almost a year before the 3000G, in the fourth quarter of 2018.

At this price, the AMD Athlon 240GE is another great option in the lineup of very cheap processors, and it’s worth a second look in applications where space is at a premium.

AMD Athlon 3000G

The AMD Athlon 3000G is the next one. This processor has two cores and four threads. Like the 3200G, this is an APU, which means that the graphics are already built into the chip.

When you buy an APU, keep in mind that the computer will still need other things to do video tasks. With an APU, the memory from your PC’s regular memory will be used to do graphics work.

The Athlon 3000G will use 2 GB of your PC’s RAM to handle graphics loads, so make sure you have enough RAM, including the extra 2 GB, to handle your tasks.

Even though this is a cheaper option than adding a separate graphics card, you should still think about buying one.

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This processor is a great low-cost option for a home office because it works well with basic office apps. However, it may not be up to par when it comes to gaming (depending on which games you play).

A single user-driven benchmark gives the Athlon 3000G a score of 92.2. This means it will be slower than the 4 core options on this list, but it still does a good job in multi-threaded workloads, scoring 274 points on a user-driven octa-core multi-threaded benchmark.

The base core speed of the CPU is 3.5 GHz, and there is no boost clock. You can overclock the 3000G, and most users say that they can consistently reach 4.0 GHz.

We bring this up because it might not be for a beginner, but if you are very careful with your money, this could help you get the most for your money.

Some newer games can be played at 720p with a very casual player, but if this is your main use for this build, you should still add a stand-alone graphics card.

Overall, the Athlon 3000G is almost half the price of the other options here. If you are on a very tight budget, we recommend you consider this CPU as one of your options—but only if a 2-core CPU will meet your needs.

Intel Core i3-12100

Like the rest of the Alder Lake family, the $130 Core i3-12100 is priced in a way that is different from what people are used to. The chip is also available as an F-series Core i3-12100F for $104, which Intel sells with its integrated graphics turned off for $25 less than the full-featured model.

This puts it in the slightly lower price tier below. In fact, since AMD doesn’t have a clear current-generation competitor and the Core i3-12100 has great performance for its price, it easily leads our CPU benchmarks in the $105 to $130 range.

Overall, the quad-core i3-price, 12100’s performance, and improved stock cooler make it the best choice in the $100 to $130 price range while still being able to compete with more expensive alternatives.

The Core i3-12100 is now the fastest budget gaming CPU on the market, and it’s also pretty good at running apps with few threads: In single-threaded work, none of AMD’s chips are as fast as the 12100, so you’ll need to look at other Alder Lake chips to find faster performance. For its price, the Core i3-12100 is also very good at threaded productivity tasks.

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The Core i3-12100 has a base power rating of 60W PBP and a peak power rating of 89W MTP. The chip has a base speed of 3.3 GHz and a boost speed of 4.3 GHz. It also has an L3 cache of 12 MB. Intel’s Socket 1700 motherboards from the 600-series, like the Z690, H670, B660, and H610, can use Alder Lake.

The Core i3-12100 chip is locked, which means that it can’t be sped up. But Intel lets you overclock the memory on Z690, B660, and H670 motherboards. The Z690 doesn’t make sense for this type of chip, though.

AMD doesn’t have a CPU that costs about the same as the Core i3-12100. But even though it doesn’t have any competitors, it still has impressive performance gains over the last generation.

In fact, when gaming at 1080p, the $129 Core i3-12100 is 88% as fast as the $299 Core i5-12400, but costs 56% less. That is a great mix of price and quality.

AMD Ryzen 3 3100

AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is one of the best CPUs that cost less than $100. It has four cores and eight threads, which are good specs. This processor is unlocked and comes with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooling system. It has a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of up to 3.9 GHz with turbo boost. It has a TDP of 65W, which is really good.

When it comes to performance and gaming, this CPU will not let you down. It offers top-tier performance for both casual gamers and people who want a CPU for overclocking.

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With it, you can use AMD’s Ryzen Master Software to get the most out of your CPU by overclocking it. It is a great buy for people who want a fast CPU but don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Not only does this CPU have this, but it also has 2MB of L2 cache memory and 16MB of L3 cache memory, which is pretty good for a cheap gaming CPU. It also uses very little power and works well, which makes it a good choice for casual gamers.

If we talk about the bad things about this CPU, I can’t think of any to put on this list. I think this one is a great processor that comes with a nice cooling system. But I do have to say that this CPU isn’t the best for hard-core gamers and competitive gaming, but it works well enough for most people.

Intel Celeron G5905

Another great CPU that costs less than $100 is the Intel Celeron G5905. If you are on a tight budget but still want to build a powerful and efficient PC, this processor is a good choice.

It is an entry-level processor from Intel, but it has enough power to handle all of your basic tasks and most games at decent settings.

Because of its base frequency speed of 2.8 GHz, it is particularly good for managing the majority of your day-to-day responsibilities without any problems at all.

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The memory of the L3 cache is also relatively low, coming in at only 4 MB, which means that it is not particularly suited for heavy work. Despite this, however, it is more than enough to manage your gaming needs effortlessly and without difficulty.

Because it has a thermal design power (TDP) of only 58W, it is an excellent option for people who do not wish to overclock their processor. Even though it’s not designed specifically for gaming, this processor is nonetheless capable of playing games at settings that are considered to be above average.

It also comes equipped with the Intel UHD Graphics 610, which helps to improve your visual performance and allows you to play hard games with respectable settings without experiencing any problems.

Those who are on a limited budget but yet want to be able to play recent games without too much difficulty would benefit the most from this central processing unit, in my opinion.

If you are going to be using the CPU for basic chores like streaming and gaming on low settings, as the majority of people do, then I would absolutely recommend this PC to you because it will function very well for you in those situations.