Best CPU Deals for February 2026

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If you're on this page, you've probably noticed that silicon prices are skyrocketing, including RAM, solid state drives, and even processors. Thankfully, we've still got discounts on top chips to help you squeeze every penny out of your purchase. Whether you're building a gaming tower or a pint-sized productivity PC, the right CPU is right here. Here are the best processor price cuts from Intel and AMD for February.

The Hottest CPU Deals for February

• Intel Core Ultra 7 265F Desktop Processor for $276 (list price $379)

• Intel Core i7-14700KF Desktop Processor for $349.99 (list price $434.99)

• Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor for $169.99 (list price $189.99)

• Intel Core i9-13900K Desktop Processor for $539.99 (list price $629.99)

• AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Desktop Processor for $529.99 (list price $599)

• AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Desktop Processor for $319 (list price $359)

• AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Desktop Processor for $88.97 (list price $159)

• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Desktop Processor for $384 (list price $449)

The Best Intel Processor Deals

Credit: Amazon

Intel Core Ultra 7 265F Desktop Processor

Specs:5.3GHz CPU speed | 36MB cache | 20 cores

Let's open up with a solid price drop on a very respectable Arrow Lake CPU that can get the job done for most productivity and content creation builds. In PCMag's review of the Core Ultra 7 265F, the site said the processor "offers compelling multi-core muscle and fair pricing, earning its place as a go-to enthusiast CPU." Testers noted solid reports from benchmarking tests and improved thermal performance versus Intel's 13th and 14th-gen processors. A 27% discount makes it an even better buy.

• Intel Core Ultra 7 265F Desktop Processor for $276 (list price $379)

Credit: Amazon

Intel Core i7-14700KF Desktop Processor

Specs:5.6GHz CPU speed | 33MB cache | 20 cores

Intel's 14th-generation Core chips are all very solid pieces of kit. The i7-14700KF earned an Editors' Choice award from PCMag in its review, which noted that it was the best value of the upgraded Raptor Lake series, with an increased core count and cache from its predecessor, along with peppy performance on all of its benchmarking tasks. This CPU works with both Intel 600-series and 700-series motherboards, and will serve very well in a gaming PC.

• Intel Core i7-14700KF Desktop Processor for $349.99 (list price $434.99)

Credit: Amazon

Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor

Specs:3.7GHz CPU speed | 12MB cache | 10 cores

PCMag called this Alder Lake CPU a sleeper hit in its review , noting that it performed well above its weight in testing. It also has a high ceiling for overclocking, maxing out at a very impressive 4.9GHz in testing. While it's a bit outdated now, it'll still serve as a solid anchor for mid-tier gaming desktops. This was the first of Intel's CPUs to split its cores between performance and efficiency, and it makes a big difference. Slicing $20 off the already extremely low base price is nice.

• Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor for $169.99 (list price $189.99)

Credit: Amazon

Intel Core i9-13900K Desktop Processor

Specs:5.8GHz CPU speed | 36MB cache | 24 cores

It's a few generations old, but the Core i9-13900K is still a very competent performer, especially when you factor in a 16% discount off the base price. In PCMag's 2002 review , testers raved over its class-leading performance, noting that the CPU "is unquestionably the best processor you can buy" if peak performance is your goal. (The processor even earned an Editors' Choice award.) With the split architecture consisting of high-performance CPU cores named P-Cores and smaller, more energy-efficient cores known as E-Cores, it increases energy efficiency while maximizing output.

• Intel Core i9-13900K Desktop Processor for $539.99 (list price $629.99)

The Best AMD Processor Deals

Credit: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Desktop Processor

Specs:4.4GHz CPU speed | 144MB cache | 12 cores

Just released earlier this year, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the fastest 12-core CPU on the market, built with a dual-chiplet design incorporating 3D V-Cache technology tuned for the unique demands of gaming, while still delivering exceptional stability and performance in productivity and creative applications. With refined chipset drivers, it's more efficient than ever, and full overclocking support lets you squeeze out as much juice as your PC cooler can handle. Snag a 12% discount at Amazon right now.

• AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Desktop Processor for $529.99 (list price $599)

Credit: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Desktop Processor

Specs:3.8GHz CPU speed | 32MB cache | 8 cores

PCMag said the Ryzen 7 9700X was "better than its 7000-series predecessor, mostly on power consumption and heat generation," in its review , noting that while it didn't represent a massive performance jump over the last generation, it was well-suited for compact PCs and desktops where cooling is an issue. The new Zen 5 architecture is advertised to bring 16% better PPC than Zen 4 and benchmarked well across the board. An 11% price cut isn't massive, but it helps.

• AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Desktop Processor for $319 (list price $359)

Credit: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Desktop Processor

Specs:3.6GHz CPU speed | 16MB cache | 6 cores

Building on a budget? We get it. Computer components can really add up, and if all you need is a basic desktop to handle everyday productivity and web browsing, you don't need to go too crazy on parts. This Ryzen 5 is a very capable, low-priced CPU that PCMag reviewed favorably, saying it delivered "decent performance in CPU-intensive tasks" but struggled with gaming due to its relatively small cache size.

• AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Desktop Processor for $88.97 (list price $159)

Credit: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor

Specs:4.2GHz CPU speed | 96MB cache | 8 cores

This was the fourth processor released with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology, which allows the unit to stack a chip containing only cache memory on top of another chip, massively increasing the amount of possible cache in a small footprint. The beefy 96MB this one ships with shows how well it works. PCMag's review notes that the CPU benchmarked decently, but the added cache results in lower clock speed, which can be an issue for some. Right now, Amazon has a $65 discount.

• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Desktop Processor for $384 (list price $449)

CPU Buying Guide

Building a new computer? Here's what to keep in mind when you shop for a processor.

1. The big decision when you pick up a new CPU is whether you prefer AMD or Intel as the chipmaker. Both companies make high-quality hardware for a variety of needs. Intel CPUs are typically a little more expensive and prioritize multiple cores, while AMD processors push speed and are often better for gaming.

2. The four main metrics you use to evaluate a processor are cores, threads, clock speeds, and cache. Cores are the discrete computing units that perform the functions of computing. The more you have, the more your PC can do. Threads are a measure of multitasking and how many different things it can do at once. Clock speed is the raw speed of the device and how quickly it can do the work. CPU cache stores the information the processor is working on in fast-access memory.

3. Power consumption and cooling are the other factors that go into processor shopping. Different CPUs take different amounts of power and produce a range of heat outputs that require cooling systems to manage. The amount of space in your case is going to affect what kind of system you can accommodate.

Frequently Asked CPU Questions

Will CPU Prices Go Down in 2026?

After several years of price drops in the component market, we're seeing a trend upwards in 2026 as investment in data centers is spiking demand for RAM and storage, bringing processor costs along with it. That's why shopping for deals is so important.

Which is better for gaming, AMD or Intel?

There's no one answer to which company makes better CPUs for gaming PCs. Both offer high-end processors that can easily handle modern titles without skipping a beat. AMD in general produces more efficient chips that stay cooler, but Intel delivers better single-core performance at similar prices. AMD's specialized X3D CPUs are some of the best on the market, prioritizing features that gamers value like caching.

Can I overclock an AMD or Intel processor?

Both manufacturers make CPUs that support overclocking, which is the method of boosting the CPU's clock speed to deliver higher performance at the cost of increased heat output and power consumption. If you are going to overclock your processor, be sure that you have appropriate fans and cooling systems in place, or you risk doing permanent damage to your PC.

The Hottest CPU Deals

• Intel Core Ultra 7 265F Desktop Processor for $276 (list price $379)

• Intel Core i7-14700KF Desktop Processor for $349.99 (list price $434.99)

• Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor for $169.99 (list price $189.99)

• Intel Core i9-13900K Desktop Processor for $539.99 (list price $629.99)

• AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Desktop Processor for $529.99 (list price $599)

• AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Desktop Processor for $319 (list price $359)

• AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Desktop Processor for $88.97 (list price $159)

• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Desktop Processor for $384 (list price $449)