Best CPUs under $500 in 2026
The top-rated cpus you can buy for under $500, ranked by value for money. Specs, benchmarks, and our verdict for each.
Updated March 2026 · 25 products
Quick picks
- Ryzen 5 5500 Processor — $129 · Score 45/100
- Core i3-12100F Processor — $109 · Score 40/100
- Ryzen 5 5600X Processor — $299 · Score 58/100
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Processor
Zen 3 · 6C/12T · AM4
$81.99
Score 45/100
Intel Core i3-12100F Processor
Alder Lake · 4C/8T · LGA 1700
$133.99
Score 40/100
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Processor
Zen 3 · 6C/12T · AM4
$147.76
Score 58/100
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Processor
Zen 3 · 6C/12T · AM4
$147.76
Score 55/100
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Processor
Zen 4 · 6C/12T · AM5
$167.00
Score 66/100
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Processor
Zen 4 · 6C/12T · AM5
$167.00
Score 64/100
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Processor
Zen 5 · 6C/12T · AM5
$175.95
Score 70/100
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F Processor
Zen 4 · 6C/12T · AM5
$179
Score 60/100
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Processor
Zen 3 · 8C/16T · AM4
$179.99
Score 62/100
Intel Core i5-14400F Processor
Raptor Lake Refresh · 10C/16T · LGA 1700
$199
Score 60/100
Intel Core i5-13400F Processor
Raptor Lake · 10C/16T · LGA 1700
$234.59
Score 58/100
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Processor
Zen 5 · 8C/16T · AM5
$302.99
Score 76/100
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Processor
Arrow Lake · 14C/14T · LGA 1851
$309
Score 72/100
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X Processor
Zen 4 · 12C/24T · AM5
$315.99
Score 80/100
Intel Core i5-13600K Processor
Raptor Lake · 14C/20T · LGA 1700
$319.00
Score 70/100
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Processor
Arrow Lake · 20C/20T · LGA 1851
$345.99
Score 80/100
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor
Zen 3 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM4
$346.81
Score 78/100
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Processor
Zen 3 · 8C/16T · AM4
$346.81
Score 68/100
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor
Zen 4 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM5
$348.99
Score 88/100
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X Processor
Zen 4 · 8C/16T · AM5
$349
Score 72/100
Intel Core i7-14700K Processor
Raptor Lake Refresh · 20C/28T · LGA 1700
$370.99
Score 80/100
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor
Zen 5 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM5
$444.99
Score 92/100
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X Processor
Zen 5 · 12C/24T · AM5
$449
Score 84/100
Intel Core i7-13700K Processor
Raptor Lake · 16C/24T · LGA 1700
$449.99
Score 76/100
Intel Core i5-14600K Processor
Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C/20T · LGA 1700
$464.99
Score 74/100
FAQ
What is the best cpus under $500?
The best cpus under $500 is the Ryzen 5 5500 Processor at $129, scoring 45/100 overall with Zen 3 · 6C/12T · AM4.
Is it worth spending more than $500 on a cpus?
It depends on your needs. The best cpus under $500 already delivers solid gaming and productivity performance for most users. Spending more gets you higher frame rates and more VRAM or cores, which matters most for 4K gaming or professional workloads.
What can I expect from a $500 cpus in 2026?
In 2026, a cpus under $500 can handle smooth 1080p and solid 1440p performance in most titles. The sweet spot in this range is the Ryzen 5 5500 Processor at $129.