With our guide to today’s best processor deals you’ll be looking to save some serious cash on the most integral part of any PC build. Whether you’re on a budget, a gamer, or simply building a machine for working from home, we’ve rounded up all the latest offerings from Intel and AMD and tirelessly searched to find the best prices on the top processors.
We’ve separated this week’s best CPU deals into sections for high-end, mid-range, and budget shoppers, which you can jump to using the navigation links provided.
In a nutshell, if money’s no object and you want the best, you’ll definitely see the benefits of going with a high-end chip, since these beastly processors will give you excellent performance for years to come. That said, this week’s mid-range processor deals are going to be more than adequate for someone who wants top-end gaming performance and to build a machine that’ll last a few good years. Finally, our budget CPU deals take into account those who simply want a functional, reliable machine, although you might just be surprised at how much performance you can get out of these options – cheap processors have come a long way in recent years.
Best high-end processor deals
High-end processors are squarely aimed at the enthusiast and professional market, and, as you’d expect can carry some pretty hefty price tags.
If cost is no factor, however, then these 8-core and sometimes even 16-core beasts will absolutely give you the most performance possible – so much in fact that they might be overkill for some users.
Best mid-range CPU deals
Mid-range CPUs are generally targeted towards most mainstream gamer builds, being better bang for the buck than the high-end enthusiast chips. They’ll also be the sort of thing you’ll want to invest in if you’re wanting something that will perform decently for intensive applications and last a few good years down the line.
Intel’s long-standing Core i5 range has traditionally dominated the mid-range processor market, but in the past few years, we’ve seen that near-monopoly shattered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 chips, which are just as popular these days.
Best entry-level CPU deals
Budget CPUs mostly come in the form of the latest Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 series of processors – which are essentially consumer-grade chips meant for cost-effective productivity builds. Generally retailing for around $100 / £100, these chips are great if you’re simply building a desktop for working from home or everyday use.
Surprisingly, these chips have come a long way in recent years and can actually handle a bit of gaming on the side too, although you can expect bottlenecking if you’re pairing them up with a serious graphics card.
Source: Best cheap processor sales and prices for March 2024 | TechRadar by Alex Whitelock
