Unlike GPUs, which remain painfully pricey, excellent CPUs can be had for sensible money. For proof, look no further than the Intel Core i5 13400F. Yours for a whiff under $200, it gives you six Performance cores and four Efficient cores. That makes for an excellent overall compromise. The big boy cores ensure outstanding gaming grunt, while the extra Efficient cores add a helpful dose of multithreading throughput. Only a lack of overclocking support detracts from an otherwise superb CPU. $196, www.intel.com
• Reviewed: Maximum PC, July 2023