Top Affordable Gaming CPUs for Optimal Performance in 2021

Entertainment is a fundamental need in life, and many seek budget-friendly CPUs for gaming, especially in mainstream gaming PCs.

The current computer market is dominated by major brands, with AMD and Intel standing out in the CPU segment. Both are highly regarded competitors, consistently striving to capture market segments. Intel leverages its strong chip production foundation, while AMD continually evolves processes and designs for effective solutions. The budget segment is well-managed by both, offering a variety of high-performance products at irresistibly attractive prices.

I. Best Budget Intel CPUs for Gaming

When it comes to gaming PCs, Intel stands out as a leading global brand with years of expertise. Intel's major advantage lies in its well-optimized platform, compatible with almost all game titles and ensuring stable performance.

1. Intel Core i3-10105F

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 8 threads
• Base Clock: 3.7 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.4 GHz
• Cache: 6 MB
• TDP: 65W

In the realm of budget-friendly processors, Intel has introduced a subtle upgrade to the Core i3 series with the Core i3-10105F. Considered as the 'twin' of the successful Core i3-10100F, this new generation boasts a slight 0.1 GHz increase in base/boost clock speeds, making a noticeable difference from its predecessor. In terms of gaming performance, the Core i3-10105F can handle all current market titles, even the demanding ones, as it builds upon the legacy of the once-famous Intel Core i7-7700. Its main drawback is the absence of integrated graphics (iGPU), requiring users to have a dedicated graphics card for usage.

2. Intel Core i3-10100

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 8 threads
• Base Clock: 3.6 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.3 GHz
• Cache: 6 MB
• TDP: 65W

Targeting budget-friendly configurations, the Intel Core i3-10100 is designed for systems without the need for a discrete graphics card. Intel equips it with the Intel UHD 630 iGPU, providing high-performance graphics. With the Intel Core i3-10100, you can play almost all market game titles at high graphics settings if you have a dedicated graphics card. In case you use the built-in Intel UHD 630 iGPU, you can still perform well in all game titles, but the graphics settings will be relatively reduced as UHD 630 is an integrated graphics processor. However, Intel UHD 630 can still handle popular online E-Sport games (LOL, Fifa Online, Overwatch, CS:GO, Valorant...) with high graphics quality.

3. Intel Core i3-9100F

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 4 threads
• Base Clock: 3.6 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.2 GHz
• Cache: 6 MB
• TDP: 65W

Although Intel Core i3-9100F has been on the market for quite a while, it continues to be available in the commercial market due to its attractive price point. This strategy allows Intel to dominate the CPU segment under 2 million VND. Choosing the Core i3-9100F not only benefits from its affordable CPU price but also from the accompanying components, such as motherboards, which are also very reasonably priced. The reduction in prices for these key components helps you save a significant amount to invest in a dedicated graphics card, RAM, or storage. However, the gaming performance of the Core i3-9100F is not exceptionally high with only 4 cores/ 4 threads. Nevertheless, considering the performance-to-price ratio, it remains an appealing product. To use the Core i3-9100F, you will need a dedicated graphics card as this CPU does not have integrated graphics to reduce production costs.

II. Top Affordable Gaming CPUs by AMD

AMD is a formidable competitor in the budget segment with CPUs that offer competitive pricing and cutting-edge technology. Currently, AMD collaborates with TSMC to deliver CPUs to the market with excellent performance, new processes, energy efficiency, and high clock speeds.

1. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 8 threads
• Base Clock: 3.8 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.3 GHz
• Cache: 16 MB
• TDP: 65W

Ryzen 3 3300X stands out as AMD's trump card in the budget segment, offering exceptional performance. Beyond its robust hardware foundation, the Ryzen 3 3300X allows you to expand performance by overclocking on AMD's mid-range motherboards. Overall, the performance of the Ryzen 3 3300X is impressive, especially with its single CCX design that surpasses the Ryzen 3 3100, even with similar configurations. AMD's use of design technology to enhance performance is a common occurrence, and it's evident in budget-friendly products like the Ryzen 3 3300X. The gaming performance of Ryzen 3 3300X is remarkably impressive, capable of handling all market game titles with mid-range dedicated graphics cards. However, note that Ryzen 3 3300X lacks integrated graphics (iGPU), requiring a dedicated graphics card for usage.

2. AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 8 threads
• Base Clock: 3.8 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.0 GHz
• Cache: 6 MB
• TDP: 65W

AMD Ryzen 3 4350G is hailed as the 'savior' during times of skyrocketing graphics card prices. AMD brings impressive performance with robust hardware, especially its integrated GPU. Targeting systems without discrete graphics cards, AMD equips the Ryzen 3 4350G with Radeon 6 Graphics, a powerhouse among integrated GPUs. While AMD's Radeon 6 Graphics may not be the absolute strongest in AMD's lineup, it outshines Intel's iGPUs by a wide margin. With the AMD Ryzen 3 4350G, you can experience a wide range of online and offline games on the market with settings ranging from medium to very high. If you're solely into online gaming, the AMD Ryzen 3 4350G is sufficient without the need for a dedicated graphics card. However, to fully exploit the performance of the AMD Ryzen 3 4350G, using Dual Channel RAM with a clock speed above 3000MHz is recommended.

3. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G

• Cores/Threads: 4 cores/ 4 threads
• Base Clock: 3.6 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.0 GHz
• Cache: 8 MB
• TDP: 65W

To address the Online Gaming needs of budget-conscious users, gaming setups with prices comparable to mid-range office computers have emerged. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G solution provides a mid-range configuration with enough performance to play Online games and light to medium Offline titles. For heavier Offline games, playable but with graphics settings at a very low level. The strength of the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G lies in the Radeon Vega 8 Graphics iGPU, offering superior performance compared to all Intel iGPUs at that time. Like other AMD products, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G still requires a system with Dual Channel RAM configuration with a clock speed of 2800 MHz or higher to fully exploit its performance.

The article highlights the top affordable Gaming CPUs in the current market, featuring options from both Intel and AMD. Wishing you all a fantastic day!