It’s a smart time to buy this budget-friendly AMD Ryzen processor

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If you’re going for a wallet-friendly AM5 build and want the latest CPU from AMD, this AMD Ryzen 5 9600X deal on Amazon is worth your time. Originally priced at $279.00, this budget 6-core Zen 5 chip is now available for $207.99, which means you’re saving about $70 here on its list price that you can put towards other components in your build.
While not a 4K gaming champion, the Ryzen 5 9600X delivers smooth 1080p/1440p performance and handles multitasking with ease.
AMD Ryzen™ 5 9600X
Why we love the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X offers the cheapest route to the latest 9000 series from AMD. During our hands-on review, it easily dominated its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 7600, in both single-core and multi-core performance, making it one of the best budget CPUs for gaming and multitasking.
- Core specs: The Ryzen 5 9600X is a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a 5.4 GHz maximum boost clock, 32MB L3 cache, and a low 65W TDP.
- Performance: We were able to hit over 300+ FPS in games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p low during our hands-on review. When teamed with a capable GPU, it can handle most games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
- Future-facing platform: The AM5 platform offers a clear upgrade path, eliminating the need to replace your motherboard in the future.
- No cooler: This CPU doesn’t come with a cooler, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
Who is this AMD Ryzen 5 9600X deal for and what are your alternatives?
Budget CPUs aren’t hard to find. AMD’s own Ryzen 7 5700X and 5800X both sit under $200 right now. But if you want next-gen AM5 performance and a clear upgrade path without replacing your motherboard, this deal stands apart.
As you can see from the graph above, the Ryzen 5 9600X has been hitting consistent lows this year. While it's not at its lowest price currently, it’s still well below Amazon’s average and a steal compared to MSRP. If you need more power, the Ryzen 7 9700X delivers extra cores for gaming and multitasking while staying budget-friendly.
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