Best CPU under $300
The fastest processors released since 2023 with a launch price of $300 or less, ranked by our performance index. 5 processors qualify.
Fastest under $300AMD Ryzen 5 9600XIndex 420 · $279 at launch · 2024
Best value (at least 70% as fast)Intel Core i5-14400FIndex 380 for $196: 194 index points per $100 · 10% slower, $83 cheaper
Compare AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i5-14400F
The ranking
| # | Processor | Year | Index | Power | Launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMD Ryzen 5 9600XZen 5 | 2024 | 420 | 65 W | $279 |
| 2 | AMD Ryzen 5 7600Zen 4 | 2023 | 390 | 65 W | $229 |
| 3 | Intel Core i5-14400FRaptor Lake Refresh | 2024 | 380 | 65 W | $196 |
| 4 | Intel Core i5-13400FRaptor Lake | 2023 | 370 | 65 W | $196 |
| 5 | AMD Ryzen 5 8600GZen 4 | 2024 | 350 | 65 W | $229 |
Full CPU hierarchyUnder $400 →
About these picks
Prices are launch prices (MSRP); street prices move, so check a few shops before you buy. The performance index is an editorial estimate of relative performance; only parts with a hand-checked index are ranked. Pair it with a matching graphics card: try the bottleneck checker.