Best CPU under $400
The fastest processors released since 2023 with a launch price of $400 or less, ranked by our performance index. 9 processors qualify.
The ranking
| # | Processor | Year | Index | Power | Launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265KArrow Lake | 2024 | 760 | 125 W | $394 |
| 2 | Intel Core i5-14600KRaptor Lake Refresh | 2023 | 610 | 125 W | $319 |
| 3 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KArrow Lake | 2024 | 560 | 125 W | $309 |
| 4 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700XZen 5 | 2024 | 530 | 65 W | $359 |
| 5 | AMD Ryzen 5 9600XZen 5 | 2024 | 420 | 65 W | $279 |
| 6 | AMD Ryzen 5 7600Zen 4 | 2023 | 390 | 65 W | $229 |
| 7 | Intel Core i5-14400FRaptor Lake Refresh | 2024 | 380 | 65 W | $196 |
| 8 | Intel Core i5-13400FRaptor Lake | 2023 | 370 | 65 W | $196 |
| 9 | AMD Ryzen 5 8600GZen 4 | 2024 | 350 | 65 W | $229 |
← Under $300Full CPU hierarchyUnder $600 →
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.