Intel Core i5-9500

The Intel Core i5-9500 packs 6 cores and 12 threads. 9MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics let it run headless-GPU builds and troubleshooting. Clocks span 3GHz base to 4.4GHz boost.

It drops into the LGA1151 socket with a 65W TDP — about 10.8W per core. Board socket comes first when pairing parts — after that, make sure your cooler's rating covers the chip. Expect to pay around $139.00, which lands it among budget options. Drop it into the PlanMyPC builder to check compatibility with the rest of your parts and compare current processor prices across retailers.