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The BEST Budget Gaming CPU No One Told You About

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.4M viewsApr 6, 20259:43
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Check out Seasonic's Focus GX Series of power supplies using our links! FOCUS GX ATX 3.1: lmg.gg FOCUS GX White ATX 3.1: lmg.gg Everyone has been saying you should buy AMD’s Ryzen 7 5700X3D if you’re building a budget gaming rig. But who wants to pay for a Computer that is out of date before you add it to your cart? What if I told you there were SECRET gaming CPUs that go blow for blow with the 5700X3D (at least one of them does!), are AM5, AND most importantly are CHEAPER. Meet the AMD Ryzen 5 7500f and the 8400f. We sent it, AND ANOTHER possible secret budget king through the LABS gauntlet, to find out if AMD has been hiding the best value in gaming. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy a Ryzen 5 7500f 6-Core 3.7 GHz CPU: geni.us Buy a Ryzen 5 8400F 6-Core 4.2 GHz CPU: geni.us Buy a Ryzen 7 5700X3D 8-Core 3.0 GHz CPU: geni.us ► GET OUR MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:08 What is the CPU(s) 2:34 Regular Benchmarks 4:15 Paired with a 4060 4:47 Paired with a 4070 Super 6:08 Paired with a 4090 6:34 Should you BUY it?

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The video investigates a surprising value in the budget gaming CPU space by putting the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F through an intensive evaluation. The host explains why this OEM-targeted chip, which lacks integrated graphics and is positioned similarly to the Ryzen 5 7600 non-X, could offer compelling performance for budget builds on the AM5 platform, especially given its price advantage. They explain the core differences versus the Ryzen 7 5700X3D and describe how the 7500F benefits from newer Zen 4 cores and DDR5 compatibility, while also noting its limitations such as the absence of an AMD warranty and a box cooler. The testing approach includes a range of real-world gaming benchmarks, starting with CPU-focused performance and then pairing the 7500F with a spectrum of GPUs to simulate different budget-to-midrange builds. The host emphasizes the balance between price and gaming performance, highlighting that the 7500F often trails flagship CPUs by a manageable margin but does so at a far lower total system cost. The analysis extends into 1440p and 4K scenarios, where GPU bottlenecks become more pronounced and the 7500F remains competitive, sometimes outperforming similarly priced rivals like the 8400F. The conclusion frames the 7500F as a strong long-term proposition for budget-minded gamers, with caveats about future platform considerations and the variability of prices across retailers, including AliExpress and Newegg. Overall, the video argues that AMD has quietly offered one of the best price-to-performance options in gaming CPU circles, while Intel remains a weaker option at the budget end unless prices shift favorably. The host also promotes Seagate’s Focus GX power supplies as part of a well-rounded build and touches on the potential GPU pairings that maximize the CPU’s value, underscoring the importance of pairing the right CPU with a suitable graphics card for the best bang-for-buck.

Topics · cpu benchmarking · budget hardware · gaming hardware · pc building · tech reviews

Questions answered

What CPU is highlighted as a strong budget option in the video?
The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F is highlighted as a strong budget option.
How does the 7500F perform relative to the Ryzen 7 5700X3D in gaming benchmarks?
The 7500F trades blows with the 5700X3D and often delivers competitive performance at a lower total system cost, especially when paired with appropriate GPUs.
What are some caveats of choosing the 7500F?
Caveats include lack of onboard graphics, no AMD direct warranty or box cooler, and reliance on a future AM5 platform with potential upgrade limitations.
What GPU pairings are suggested to maximize value with the 7500F?
Pairings like the 4060 class GPUs (and references to 4070 and 4090 in testing) are discussed to illustrate value at different budgets.