The central processing unit, the CPU, is one of the most important pieces of any computer build. It is the brain of your PC, and it is often one of the more expensive pieces as well. You could pay several hundred for an advanced one, and if you're a gamer or you're building a PC for creative uses then you can expect to fork over quite a chunk of change there. That's okay because I think most people would agree the investment is worth it if it means a better overall performance. However, there's no reason to go broke for the sake of your computer.
We cover a lot of information on CPUs here. We've even got details on the best CPUs based on the graphics card you're using like the best CPU for the Nvidia RTX 3070 or the best cooler for the CPU you have. Once you've found the ideal CPU price you want in this roundup, be sure to check out the best ways to use your new component. While you're at it, find a GPU on sale that fits your build.
13th-Gen Intel CPU prices:
The 13th Generation is the latest and greatest from Intel, and now that the CPUs have been around for a bit we're starting to see some great price drops. After all, you wouldn't be here if you were the sort of person that paid MSRP for a computer processor. And we don't want you to.
Here are some of the best deals on Intel's best CPUs:
One of the best budget options from the latest gen from Intel. This one is actually down to this price at several retailers, but you won't find it going lower than this for a while given it is already at a pretty solid price.
This is a very powerful 13th-gen CPU that can be overclocked but lacks integrated graphics. Chances are you'll be pairing this with a dedicated graphics card anyway, and the $60 in savings can go towards one of those.
Several retailers have this CPU down to around $430, but only B&H offers an extra $15 off with the on-page coupon. That means B&H has by far the best value right now. The 13700K can be overclocked and includes integrated graphics.
This one certainly offers the best value in terms of direct money saved, and it's also at the top of what Intel has to offer in this newest lineup of CPUs.
More ways to save on 13th-gen CPUs:
- Best Buy: Up to $90 in savings
- Newegg: Bundle and save
- B&H: Many coupons available
- Amazon: several options available below MSRP
Best Intel CPU prices:
The difference between the 10100 and the 10100F is that this version has integrated graphics, so you don't necessarily need the separate purchase of a standalone GPU. (Although I wouldn't expect much for gaming.) The price is the best we've seen, but the sale disappears when the Intel Gamer Days ends.
This is an 11th-generation CPU that has a 3.9GHz base speed and can boost to 4.9GHz with Maximum Turbo Frequency. The price is fantastic, but the quantity is limited so grab one while you can.
This CPU was selling for as much as $311 in March and has been selling more steadily around $265 for the last couple months. Either way, today's price is a great low price.
If you were looking to buy this CPU back in February 2022 it would've been worth more than $460 at the time, and as recently as early July it was going for $380. This price is an all-time low that hopefully sticks around as the 13th-gen CPUs are right around the corner.
At the start of the 2022 new year, this CPU dropped down to around $600. It has been selling for around $550 at most retailers since May, but this deal is one of the best prices we've ever seen. The sale comes from antonline, a reputable eBay seller.
This CPU was selling for as much as $600 in early July and $620 for most of the year. This price is one of its best prices ever, and it is holding steady here right now.
A great bundle from Micro Center on Amazon that includes the Core i9-11900K processor and the MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Force ATX motherboard. These would normally cost $550 if bought individually, even with the i9-11900K currently on sale. If you need more than just a CPU, this bundle is a great place to start.
This is definitely a high-end CPU that is part of Intel's latest generation. It's down to a super low price, but this deal is only around as part of Intel's Gamer Days sale. Expect the price to go back up pretty soon.
Best AMD CPU prices:
When a budget option that's already down to a great low price becomes even more affordable, that's just icing on the cake. This CPU includes integrated graphics, too, to save you even more on your budget build.
At certain points this year you could find this CPU going for as high as $259. It has most recently been going for around $185, but the deal at Best Buy is a great low price even compared to that. If you're making a budget PC, this is a grand place to start.
This is a great processor on a budget, and it was selling for as much as $300 at one point last year. You'll find it going for around $230 most of the time and at most retailers. Keep an eye out for a coupon code that could bring it down by another $10 as we've seen that before.
These Ryzen 7 CPUs are dropping in price a lot recently and just about every variation is on sale. You can really save big here, and this price is lower than anywhere else at the moment.
The Ryzen 7 was selling for around $300 in May and was still above $280 in mid-July. This drop in price is its lowest ever and one that is holding steady for the moment. But that could change!
This is a limited time sale from Newegg, and if it has expired you can still find a decent deal on this same CPU at Best Buy where it's going for $329.
The 3D lineup of AMD processors can be really, really good if you're into the type of games that rely a lot on RAM or need extra processing power like Microsoft Flight Simulator, RTS or strategy games, basically anything Paradox makes, etc. It's worth the jump from the standard 5800X in that case.
If you're just now seeing this price, unfortunately it was as low as $360 recently so this isn't the best price around. However, considering the CPU was going for as much as $450 just a couple months ago and $530 at the beginning of the year, this is still a good deal.
