Best Pick

AMD Ryzen 3 4100

67.4 Best Value Score
4C/8T4.0GHz4MB L3AM465W
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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Intel BX80701G5900

51.7 Best Value Score
2C/2T3.4GHz2MB L3LGA 120058W
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AMD Athlon 3000G 2-core AM4

55.2 Best Value Score
2C/4T4MB L3AM435W
Why we recommend this ▼

The unlocked 35W Athlon 3000G stands out by integrating usable Radeon Vega 3 graphics onto a dual-core, four-thread Zen+ chip, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. Its 3.5GHz base clock and full AM4 socket compatibility offer a straightforward upgrade path for aging motherboards at a minimal power draw. This processor is best for office PC builders or home theater enthusiasts who need silent, low-cost 1080p video playback and light multitasking.

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Intel Pentium Gold G5420 2-core LGA1151

49.3 Best Value Score
2C/4T1.1GHz4MB L3LGA 115154W
Why we recommend this ▼

A fixed 3.8 GHz base clock on its dual-core, four-thread Coffee Lake design delivers snappy responsiveness for everyday desktop tasks without relying on turbo boost. The included boxed cooler and integrated UHD Graphics 610 make it a cost-effective foundation for a basic system, eliminating the immediate need for a discrete GPU. This processor is best for office PC builders or home users needing a reliable chip for web browsing, document editing, and media playback.

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Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 6-core LGA2011-3

31.7 Best Value Score
6C/12T3.2GHz15MB L3LGA2011-385W
Why we recommend this ▼

The 6-core, 12-thread Xeon E5-2620 v3 supports up to 768GB of DDR4 ECC memory, making it a reliable foundation for memory-intensive server tasks. Its 85W TDP and LGA2011-3 socket offer a cost-effective entry point for refurbished dual-socket workstation builds. This processor is best for home lab enthusiasts running virtualized environments or NAS systems where data integrity and uptime matter more than raw clock speed.

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Intel SR3HQ

31.7 Best Value Score
12C/24T3.0GHz16.5MB L3LGA 364785W
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