Hey everyone! I recently scored two free 8GB DDR5 RAM sticks and I'm in the process of building a budget-friendly 1080p PC for my little brother. He's mainly a mobile gamer, specifically into Minecraft. I found the Intel Core i3-14100 at B&H for $100, and it's compatible with DDR5, which is a plus. There are also options like the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F for around $150. However, I'm trying to keep costs down. The alternative AMD options I found start around $160, which feels a bit high. Just for clarity, I'm not looking at the Ryzen 5500 or 5600 since I have DDR5 RAM. I'm planning to pair this build with a GeForce 3060. So, is it a good idea to go with the i3-14100 or should I consider other budget Intel or AMD CPUs?
1 Answer
Honestly, I’d steer clear of both the i3-14100F and the Core Ultra 5 225F. If you're asking for a solid budget option, I’d recommend the Ryzen 5 7500F. It outperforms the i3-14100F in gaming, even with DDR5 RAM. Plus, the 225F is generally slower than the 7500F, making it a less appealing choice for gaming at this price point.
I get that the 7500F is a standout in the budget AM5 scene, but it’s tough to find it new. I trust B&H for service and speed, so I'd rather go with something I can reliably purchase from them, especially since my brother's PC won’t be multitasking and will just be for 1080p gaming.