Picking one of the best gaming Processors under 20000 INR in 2021 is a very daunting task. Tell me among the 10’s of competitive CPUs, what are your criteria for picking up the best one out of the lot.
The processor is one of the most important parts of a gaming pc. so, How would you select the best budget CPU for gaming that’ll cater to your needs?
And will stay in budget too.
Let me tell you one thing, it is easier to pick a processor if you know your requirements. Once you know your needs, you can easily pick the one. That one of the gaming CPU under 20000 that’ll closely match with your day to day tasks.
Some gaming CPUs under 20000 come with an integrated Graphics card. Let’s have a quick look at them.
Although, I do not recommend using Intel Integrated Graphics CPU because they are very poor in performance and not fit for gaming.
The Processor line-up of both Intel and AMD is huge. And if you sit to compare each Gaming CPU with one another can take hours off your days.
That is why I teamed up with my Gamer friends across the world to know their top picks for a cheap gaming processor under 20000 INR or $350.
Now, let’s dive straight in.
In this Article, we'll see:
How to choose your next Budget Gaming Processor?
There are some universal points you should consider while buying a new processor to put in your PC. These are simple and can narrow your research work to a very specific type of gaming CPU under 20000.
1) Budget
You may have decided to save more money as one of your new year’s resolutions. But, the cost you invest in a gaming Processor will take a hit from your savings. That is one thing.
So, how much money are you willing to put into buying a new Intel or AMD processor?
For this article, we are going not above the $350 or 19999 Rupees mark. However, you still need to decide if you’re going to pay a price of more than 10,000 Rupees, 15000 Rupees.
Or if you are willing to compromise on your savings to explore a better Gaming CPU.
Make this decision first.
2) Work Requirements
What are your work requirements? Are they heavy or light?
How much power do you need from your CPU?
These are some of the important points to consider while buying a budget Gaming Processor. You really need to sit with yourself for a while. And analyse each app you work with.
e.g. A Graphics designer, content creator, or video editor will most probably require a high power CPU.
Another parameter is threading. Usually, more threads will reduce the time to finish a task. Because more processes can run on them. That means more power to you.
3) APU or CPU
Choosing between an APU and CPU depends upon whether you have a discrete GPU. If you have a separate graphics card, there is no benefit in buying an APU.
But, if you do not have a GPU or are not willing to spend on a discrete Graphics card, going for an APU may be the best option.
Both AMD and Intel processors have APUs and CPUs.
Intel APUs come with an Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 chipset, which has a base frequency of 350 MHz. This frequency can render 20-30 FPS in most games which is not that great for gaming.
On the other hand, AMD Ryzen APUs are packed with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics. These APUs have a base frequency of 1100 MHz which can render about 40-55 FPS on quite a few games.
Therefore, you need to make your mind on whether you are buying an APU or a CPU. If you are buying a CPU, you will have to purchase a graphics card.
Based on how much you are willing to spend, you can buy one of the best low-cost graphics cards in 2021. And pair it with a CPU.
4) Do you want to Overclock your Processor?
Overclocking means pushing the processor to its highest limit to get more work done faster.
It has numerous advantages. More FPS, smoother gameplay and you save some bucks in the long run because you can get more from your CPU.
Some disadvantages include heating issues and reduced hardware lifespan.
5) Are you going to multi-task a lot?
Are you a casual gamer trying to play games in medium to high settings? Or are you into content creation and video editing?
Notice how each of the above tasks require different processor capabilities.
Tasks such as content creation and video editing require a good multitasking processor. Another example of multi-tasking is live gaming steam. Streaming games across different platform require a good multi-core CPU.
For multitasking purposes, go with a processor with high multi-core performance like AMD. No processor matches Multi-core performance like that of AMD.
Almost all of the gaming processors under 20000 will give you the ability to multi-task more or less.
Best Gaming Processors under 20000
Here is quick table mentioning our top picks for Desktop CPUs under 20000.
| Best gaming CPU under 20000 | cores/threads | clock speeds(GHz) | iGPU | Overclockable | TDP(W) |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3400G + Galax Motherboard | 4/8 | 3.70 – 4.20 | Yes | Yes | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 6/12 | 3.60 – 4.20 | No | Yes | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3500X | 6/6 | 3.60 – 4.10 | No | Yes | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | 6/12 | 3.60 – 4.10 | No | Yes | 65 |
| Intel Core i5 9600K | 6/6 | 3.70 – 4.60 | Yes | Yes | 95 |
| Intel i5 10400F | 6/12 | 2.90 – 4.30 | No | No | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | 4/8 | 3.60 – 3.90 | No | Yes | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3200G | 4/4 | 3.60 – 4.0 | Yes | Yes | 65 |
| Intel Core i3 10100 | 4/8 | 3.60 – 4.30 | Yes | No | 65 |
| Intel Core i3 10100F | 4/8 | 3.60 – 4.30 | No | No | 65 |
Let’s see each CPU in further detail.
10) Intel Core i3 10100F – for the minimum gaming
Key Features
- No of cores: 4
- No of threads: 8
- Integrated Graphics: NO
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.30 GHz
- Overclockable: NO
- Cache: 6 MB
- TDP: 65 W
Most people do not consider Intel i3 10100 F to be a capable Gaming CPU. But why am I having an i3 10100 F in my list. The answer is Simple.
In a low PC build where you have a discrete GPU, i3 is one of the options you should consider. In lightweight tasks, Intel’s i3 is as good as Ryzen 3 if not better.
This gaming processor under 10000 INR can handle tasks like video-editing, photoshop, and day-to-day work very smoothly
The gaming experience is also very good but not better than Ryzen 3. But, if you are willing to game at low to medium settings and save some bucks, this CPU for gaming is not going to disappoint you.
Most AAA games will work fine without any frame drops. At least, my experience was smooth. Games like GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and even Far cry will give you an average of 45 – 90 FPS when paired with a good GPU.
Check the benchmark tests for Intel Core i3 1100F here.
Advantages
- Budget-friendly.
- Handles daily tasks very well.
- Acceptable video editing power.
- Good Gaming at low to medium settings.
Drawbacks
- Not fit for Multi-tasking.
- Not Overclockable.
- Discrete Graphics card Required.
9) Intel Core i3 10100 – what good is it?
Key Features
- No of cores: 4
- No of threads: 8
- Integrated Graphics: Yes
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.30 GHz
- Overclockable: NO
- Cache: 6 MB
- TDP: 65 W
Buying Intel Core i3 is not a bad idea this year. There are some areas where intel still makes more sense than AMD. And why this can be Let’s see them one by one.
Buying Intel Core i3 is not a bad idea this year. There are some areas where intel still makes more sense than AMD. And why this can be Let’s see them one by one.
You can perform lightweight tasks and a little bit of video editing quite steadily. Not at the best speed but the processor has the capability to handle heavy tasks. There may or may not be a bottleneck.
Almost every modern game will run very smoothly on the Intel i3 10100. At 1080p, you can see a good frame rate and lag-free experience [most of the time]. The bottleneck can be easily reduced by pairing a good graphics card.
Check the benchmark tests for Intel i3 10100 here.
Advantages
- Budget-friendly Desktop CPU for gaming and other tasks.
- Handles lightweight tasks very smoothly.
- Integrated Graphics card.
- Better Single-core Performance than previous generations.
Drawbacks
- Not fit to multi-task.
- Integrated Graphics card is not fit for gaming.
- Ryzen 3 overtakes in terms of gaming performances.
8) AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
Key Features
- No of cores: 4
- No of threads: 4
- Integrated Graphics: Yes, Radeon Vega 8 graphics
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.0 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 4 MB
- TDP: 45 – 65 W
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is an APU. That means it has an inbuilt GPU along with a CPU on the same chip.
And for its very low price, the 3200G can do more than its Intel competitor. Be it graphics or handling multiple tasks concurrently, Ryzen takes a narrow lead.
Also check: Top 10 games you can play on Ryzen 3 3200G paired with RX 570
So, when should you buy an APU?
- APUs are a very good option if you do not want to buy a Discrete video card.
- If you are happy to game at 1080p on low to medium settings.
- You do not want to spend on a separate Graphics card.
AMD Ryzen 3200G provides better graphics than Intel 630 Graphics chipset. Therefore, you should never choose an Intel APU over AMD’s APU.
One more thing!
You can play many games on Ryzen 3 3200G without GPU. This is because of the integrated Vega 8 graphics.
If you’re planning to buy a new GPU in short term, then know one thing. After Pairing your Ryzen 3 3200G, it is just a normal gaming processor with 4 cores.
The Vega 8 Graphics will be of no relevance after that. At a given time, you can either use the integrated graphics or the discrete graphics card.
Related: Best GPUs for Ryzen 3 3200G!
Advantages
- Slightly better Multitasking capabilities than Intel.
- Integrated graphics are good for low to medium 1080p gaming.
- Can be Overclocked for gaming at higher settings.
Drawbacks
- Heats quickly when Overclocked.
- As soon as you buy a discrete gaming GPU, iGPU is wasted.
- Cannot handle multitasking on heavy tasks.
7) AMD Ryzen 3 3100 [cheap gaming processor under 20000]
Key Features
- No of cores: 4
- No of threads: 8
- Integrated Graphics: No
- Base Frequency: 3.6 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 3.9 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 16 MB
- TDP: 65 W
AMD Ryzen 3 3100 is the best gaming processor under 10000 rupees. The Ryzen 3 is far better than the Intel i3 10 generation. Whether you compare it with i3 10100 or 10100 F, Ryzen 3100 performs well in every aspect.
But this processor will require a modern slightly expensive motherboard than Intel. And the end PC build cost of both Intel i3 and Ryzen 3 3100 will have a price margin of around $100.
Ryzen 3 3100 is a CPU. That means you will need a Discrete Graphics Card no matter what. Or else your graphics won’t show.
This gaming Processor under 10000 rupees is a very budget-friendly and high-performance option. You can easily play most of the games on medium to high settings at 1080p.
However, the bottleneck problem is quite persistent in heavy games like Assassins creed: Valhalla.
Therefore, the games that require high CPU and GPU may cause a problem on this processor even after overclocking.
See the benchmark tests for Ryzen 3 3100 by clicking here.
Advantages
- Provides twice as value as core i3.
- Easily play games at low – mid settings at 1080p with 45-100 FPS.
- Can handle CPU heavy tasks with greater ease than 3200G.
- Overclockable up to 4.30 GHz.
- Performs heavy video edits very smoothly because of 4 cores & 8 threads.
Drawbacks
- Not fit for Online video Streaming.
- Bottleneck persists on some high CPU and GPU demanding games.
- Requires a good motherboard for the highest performance.
- Discrete graphics card required.
6) Intel i5 10400F
Key Features
- No of cores: 6
- No of threads: 12
- Integrated Graphics: No
- Base Frequency: 2.90 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.30 GHz
- Overclockable: No
- Cache: 12 MB
- TDP: 65 W
We are now in the mid-range Gaming Processor PC build. This gaming CPU under 15000 is a very good option compared to its competitor Ryzen 5 3600.
Yes, Ryzen 5 3500 has overclocking and higher turbo boost speed. But, one thing you may want to consider is the price to performance ratio in both cases.
This gaming CPU can handle most of your heavy tasks very well. And the render speeds are also quite acceptable considering its price range.
Also check: Best CPUs for GeForce GTX 1650 Super!
The games at a frame rate anywhere between 45-100 or even more depending on how much are you willing to push the settings.
Most AAA games like RDR 2, AC: Valhalla and FPS games like Battlefield V will be worth it on this budget gaming Processor under 15000.
When it comes to gaming on high or Ultra settings, Ryzen 5 is slightly better than core i5. But one thing to consider side by side is the price of both the processors.
As of now, Intel’s Core i5 provides a better cost to performance ratio than Ryzen 5 3600.
View the benchmark performance of Intel Core i5 10400F.
Advantages
- Smoothly runs on 1080p high to ultra settings at 45-100 FPS.
- Can multitask on heavy multiple CPU processes.
- Better than Ryzen 5 3600 in price to performance ratio.
- No heating and Bottleneck issues.
Drawbacks
- Discrete Graphics card required.
- Not Overclockable.
5) Intel Core i5 9600K – overpriced in the list of gaming Processors under 20000?
Key Features
- No of cores: 6
- No of threads: 6
- Integrated Graphics: Yes
- Base Frequency: 3.70 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.60 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 9 MB
- TDP: 95 W
The Intel Core i5 9600k gives a tough competition in terms of the single-core performance to AMD Ryzen 5 lineup of processors.
So, if you are someone looking for high single-core boosts, this CPU will not disappoint you. This will matter in high-quality video edits or photoshop and even graphic design work.
Also, the overclock feature is very useful for gaming at high settings. And makes this processor somewhat future proof. (fit for long term use).
The base and turbo frequency of the 9600K is higher than the similar Ryzen 5 counterparts. Therefore, you can easily get the most out of any game by overclocking the CPU.
However, you will not see multi-threading in the i9 9600k. One reason is that it is not built to perform very heavy tasks simultaneously. Rather, it is more of a productivity processor that supports gaming too.
Also, You can see a detailed benchmark test for 9600K.
Advantages
- You can Overclock Intel i5 9600k.
- Very high boost speeds.
- High gaming performance at high to ultra settings at 1080p.
- Future proof.
Drawbacks
- No hyper-threading or multi-threading / Limited threads.
- Integrated Graphics are not good for gaming.
- Very expensive.
4) AMD Ryzen 5 3500 – Jack of all Gaming processor
Key Features
- No of cores: 6
- No of threads: 12
- Integrated Graphics: No
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.10 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 19 MB
- TDP: 65 W
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a tough competitor to Intel’s Core i5. And overtakes i5 in many benchmark tests. And this falls in our list for the top gaming processors under 20000.
But see the thing is Ryzen 5 3600 does not support SMT or multi-threading. For this reason, running simultaneous CPU heavy tasks may cause a problem. Otherwise, it provides a better cost to performance ratio than Core i5.
So, if you want to play video games on the live stream, take a step back. And go for a gaming CPU that supports multi-threading (at least 6 cores and 12 threads).
However, Ryzen 5 3500 is one of the best gaming processors under 15000 rupees in 2021. You’ll most definitely get an FPS lying between 45-100 on ultra 1080p settings. These average frame rates may be high or less depending on the GPU paired with it.
Check the benchmarks for Ryzen 5 3600.
Also check: Best CPUs for AMD Radeon RX 580!
Advantages
- One of the affordable gaming processors under 20000.
- You can easily play games on high to ultra settings.
- Overclockable.
Drawbacks
- There is no hyper-threading as it has only one thread for one core.
- No integrated Graphics card unit.
- Bottleneck issues on running multiple heavy tasks.
- Not suitable for online video game streaming.
3) AMD Ryzen 5 3500X [budget Gaming processors under 20000]
Key Features
- No of cores: 6
- No of threads: 6
- Integrated Graphics: No
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.10 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 35 MB
- TDP: 65 W
Ryzen 5 3500x is not, much different than Ryzen 5 3500. Except for one thing. And that is cache size in 3500x is 32 MB. Therefore, Ryzen 5 3500x gains an edge over 3500x and i5 9400F due to significant increase in cache size.
Cache size means faster response to CPU heavy tasks and games. Hence, reducing bottleneck issues to some extent. But, still, there is no SMT( Simultaneous Multi-Threading).
However, both 3500 and 3500x. But, they both perform far better on single-core than its previous generation by good numbers.
Is Ryzen 5 3500x worth the price increase?
That depends on you. What you expect from your device? Are you willing to increase your Budget for a better CPU for gaming?
Also, see the benchmark tests for the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X.
Advantages
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500X processor can be overclocked.
- Very smooth High to Ultra settings video gaming.
- high-quality video edits.
Drawbacks
- Discrete graphics card required.
- No Hyper-threading or SMT (one thread/core).
- Lower boost speeds.
2) AMD Ryzen 5 3600 [one of the best gaming processors under 20000]
Key Features
- No of cores: 6
- No of threads: 12
- Integrated Graphics: No
- Base Frequency: 3.60 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.20 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 32 MB
- TDP: 65 W
The Ryzen 5 3600 is our top pick for the best gaming processors under 20000.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a mid-range gaming processor. But, what is really special about it? One thing that the video editors or anyone who is involved in heavy CPU tasks will love is SMT.
Finally, a Ryzen 5 that supports multi-threading with a great performance. And handles multi-tasking like a piece of cake.
Also check: Best CPUs for GeForce GTX 1660 Super!
If you want to play games and stream them online [OCCASIONALLY] Ryzen 5 3600 will not disappoint you. Plus, it stays well within the budget.
Gaming quality will depend on the GPU you will buy. But, with a good graphics card, you can easily play games at high to ultra settings.
You can see the benchmark tests and decide for yourself.
Compared to Intel’s similar counterparts, It provides a far better Cost to performance ratio. And also in terms of previous generations.
If you are willing to buy a future-proof CPU, this Gaming Processor under 20000 is one of them.
Advantages
- Simultaneous multi-threading is available.
- Games run easily at high to ultra settings at 1080p.
- Ryzen 5 3600 can be overclocked.
- High render speeds with heavy tasks.
- Good for occasional live streaming.
- High boost speeds.
Drawbacks
- No integrated GPU present.
- Still not the best processor to do online live streaming daily.
- The bottleneck may persist in heavy CPU tasks.
1) AMD Ryzen 5 3400G + Galax Motherboard
Key Features
- No of cores: 4
- No of threads: 8
- Integrated Graphics: Yes, Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics
- Base Frequency: 3.70 GHz
- Turbo Frequency: 4.20 GHz
- Overclockable: Yes
- Cache: 4 MB
- TDP: 45 – 65 W
The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is an APU. That means if you do not have a GPU, you do not need to worry about buying a new video card. Instead, you can work or game at 1080p settings with the Integrated GPU.
In the productivity department, Ryzen 5 3400G is good for low to the mid-work requirement. And gaming is comparatively better than Ryzen 3 3200G.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is an APU. That means if you do not have a GPU, you do not need to worry about buying a new video card. Instead you can work or game at 1080p settings with the Integrated GPU.
In the productivity department, Ryzen 5 3400G is good for low to mid-work requirements. And gaming is comparatively better than Ryzen 3 3200G.
The benchmark tests are also very powerful for Ryzen 5 3400G.
The bottom line here is that if you are not a serious gamer and do not have a heavy work demand, go for Ryzen 5 3400G. It will be more than enough for you.
Advantages
- Radeon Vega 11 Integrated Graphics.
- Overclockable.
- Good for low to medium productivity tasks.
- Recommend option for casual gamers.
Drawbacks
- Not suitable for high CPU demanding workload.
- Lacks on single-core performance.
Final words on some of the gaming processors under 20000
At last, I hope I helped you to pick one of the best Gaming processors under 20000. Also, check out our article on the best gaming CPUs under 30000 INR or less than $400.
You can blindly pick any of the CPU in this list. And still be assured that you will get a very good processor for pc.
In conclusion, you can see that buying a new budget gaming CPU is not that hard if you know your requirements. And then you can easily pick the CPU that’ll match your needs.
Anyways, which budget gaming CPU are you going to pick?
Leave a Reply