When looking to build an entry-level PC configuration you will be on a tight budget and finding ways to save money is obviously helpful since money saved on one component can then be invested in something else. With entry-level configurations, people aren’t looking to play video games, so getting a decent graphics card is much lower on their list of priorities. For such use cases, one can look towards getting a desktop processor that has built-in graphics or integrated graphics. This way, you can save money on getting a graphics card and reinvest the same in dual channel memory which can make a world of difference in entry-level machines.
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is an entry-level desktop processor from AMD that makes use of their Zen+ microarchitecture which is an improvement over the Zen architecture, in terms of IPC. The 3200G has 4 cores and does not feature multi-threading. Its graphics capabilities are powered by a Radeon Vega 8 IGP which is clocked at 1250 MHz. The processor itself has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock of 4 GHz so there’s plenty of processing power, even for entry-level systems. Like all Ryzen desktop processors, the 3200G is compatible with motherboards that have AMD’s AM4 socket, along with a compatible chipset.
AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
A step up from the Ryzen 3 3200G is the Ryzen 5 3400G which is still a quad-core processor but features multithreading, so you get 8 processor threads and that means your multitasking capabilities get a shot in the arm. It has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock of 4.2 GHz. Coming to the graphics part, it makes use of Radeon Vega 11 IGP which is clocked at 1400 MHz. The Ryzen 5 3400G has enough firepower for you to easily run popular eSports titles on low configuration so it’s not exactly a compromise, if you think about it.
Intel Core i5-9400
The 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9400 is a hexa-core desktop processor which doesn’t have multithreading. So you’re getting six processor threads and it starts off with a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a boost clock of 4.1 GHz. For the integrated graphics, it uses an Intel UHD Graphics 630 IGP which is clocked at 350 MHz but can go up to 1.05 GHz when the need arises. The Core i5-9400 is an LGA1151 processor so you need compatible motherboards with Intel’s 300-series chipsets.
Intel Core i5-10400
The Intel Core i5-10400 is a 10th Gen Intel desktop processor and a direct successor to the Core i5-9400. While the graphics capabilities are powered by the same Intel UHD Graphics 630 IGP, it is clocked a little higher than the Core i5-9400. Not only the IGP but even the base clock of the processor starts off at 2.9 GHz and the boost clock goes up to 4.3 GHz. A major improvement is that the Intel Core i5-10400 features multithreading, so you get 12 processor threads, which improves the overall performance and multitasking capabilities.
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Mithun Mohandas
Mithun Mohandas is an Indian technology journalist with 10 years of experience covering consumer technology. He is currently employed at Digit in the capacity of a Managing Editor. Mithun has a background in Computer Engineering and was an active member of the IEEE during his college days. He has a penchant for digging deep into unravelling what makes a device tick. If there's a transistor in it, Mithun's probably going to rip it apart till he finds it. At Digit, he covers processors, graphics cards, storage media, displays and networking devices aside from anything developer related. As an avid PC gamer, he prefers RTS and FPS titles, and can be quite competitive in a race to the finish line. He only gets consoles for the exclusives. He can be seen playing Valorant, World of Tanks, HITMAN and the occasional Age of Empires or being the voice behind hundreds of Digit videos. View Full Profile
