Best processors under $500

The strongest processors we track that stay under $500, ranked so the most capable option within budget comes first. Every link goes straight to the product page.

1. 1
   Intel Core i7-14700K

   20c (8P+12E) · 5.6 GHz boost · LGA 1700
   €408.18

   at Amazon.com

   Buy
2. 2
   Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

   20c (8P+12E) · 5.5 GHz boost · LGA 1851
   €385.19

   at Micro Center

   Buy
3. 3
   AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

   8c/16t · 5.0 GHz boost · 96 MB L3 · AM5
   €378.95

   at B&H Photo

   Buy
4. 4
   AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

   8c/16t · 5.5 GHz boost · Zen 5 · AM5
   €342.39

   at Newegg

   Buy
5. 5
   Intel Core i5-14600K

   14c (6P+8E) · 5.3 GHz boost · LGA 1700
   €281.54

   at B&H Photo

   Buy
6. 6
   Intel Core Ultra 5 245K

   14c (6P+8E) · 5.2 GHz boost · LGA 1851
   €279.00

   at Walmart

   Buy
7. 7
   AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

   6c/12t · 5.4 GHz boost · Zen 5 · AM5
   €244.28

   at Micro Center

   Buy
8. 8
   AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

   6c/12t · 5.3 GHz boost · Zen 4 · AM5
   €223.07

   at Newegg

   Buy