Best Intel Gaming CPUs Under €100 in 2026
Intel Celeron G6900 2-core LGA1700
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Intel Core i5 7500 4-core LGA 1151
Why we recommend this ▼
The 14nm Kaby Lake Core i5-7500 runs at 3.8GHz boost with 4 cores and 4 threads, delivering a PassMark score of 6045 multi and 2244 single, paired with Intel HD Graphics 630. Its 65W TDP and LGA 1151 socket make it a low-power drop-in upgrade for older desktops, and the renewed status includes a replacement or refund guarantee. Best for budget-conscious builders upgrading an existing LGA 1151 system for everyday tasks and light gaming, where its 74/100 budget score outweighs its weaker server performance.
Intel Pentium Gold G6405 2-core LGA 1200
Why we recommend this ▼
The 4.1GHz base clock on this 2-core, 4-thread Comet Lake Pentium delivers responsive everyday computing, paired with Intel 610 UHD Graphics that supports 4K output at 60Hz over DisplayPort. Its 58W TDP and LGA1200 socket make it a low-power, easy drop-in for budget office builds, though its 3855 PassMark multi-core score limits heavy multitasking. Best for basic office work, web browsing, and light media use where cost matters more than performance.
Intel Core i3 4150 2-core LGA 1150
Why we recommend this ▼
The Haswell-based Core i3-4150 delivers a 3.5GHz base clock across its 2 cores and 4 threads, with Quick Sync Video enabling efficient hardware transcoding on its integrated HD Graphics 4400. Its 54W TDP and LGA 1150 socket make it a drop-in upgrade for aging office desktops, though it lacks Turbo Boost. This processor is best for users maintaining legacy systems for basic office tasks and media playback, not for modern workloads.
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775
Why we recommend this ▼
The 45nm Wolfdale core runs at 2.93 GHz with a 1066 MHz FSB and 2MB L2 cache, delivering a PassMark single-thread score of 1206 for everyday tasks. Its 65W TDP and LGA 775 socket make it a drop-in upgrade for older motherboards, and the tray version includes no cooler, so budget for one. Best for users building or upgrading a legacy desktop for light office work, web browsing, or basic media playback.
