The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Six CPUs can still be sensible choices for a DDR4 build, but none is automatically a bargain: the best pick depends on whether you already own a compatible motherboard, what you do with the PC, and the total cost of the parts. How-To Geek’s August 2026 article gave example prices of about $120 for 16GB DDR4-3200 and about $210 for 32GB DDR4. Those are dated examples, not current quotes, and they do not establish that DDR4 is cheaper than DDR5 today.
Start with your motherboard and total build cost
The six candidates divide across two platforms: four AMD Ryzen processors use AM4, while two Intel Core processors use LGA1700. An existing compatible board can make a CPU upgrade attractive; buying a board, memory, cooler, or BIOS update as well can change the calculation. Compare the complete build rather than the processor price alone.
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- Already have AM4: The Ryzen 5 5600 is the general budget choice; the Ryzen 7 5700X suits workloads that benefit from more cores; and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a premium gaming upgrade only when the board supports it.
- Already have LGA1700: The Core i5-12400F is a value-oriented option when discounted or included in a good used-PC or bundle deal. The Core i5-14600KF targets higher performance, but cooling and board support matter.
- Starting from scratch: Price the motherboard and memory together with the CPU. Intel LGA1700 boards use either DDR4 or DDR5, not both as a universal choice; the exact board determines the supported memory generation.
How-To Geek reported about $120 for a 16GB DDR4-3200 kit and about $210 for 32GB DDR4 in August 2026. These figures are examples from that article, not verified current prices. Check live listings for both DDR4 and DDR5 before choosing a platform.
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Which of the six CPUs fits your build?
AMD Ryzen 5 3600: low-cost AM4 for basic builds
The Ryzen 5 3600 is an older AM4 option for budget gaming, office work, or a general desktop, particularly if you already have a compatible board. How-To Geek’s August 2026 article noted its 32MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 support as advantages over the Ryzen 5 5500. The article also described availability as largely used or gray-market. That makes condition, seller reputation, return terms, and the actual asking price important; its historical price guidance should not be treated as a current buying ceiling.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600: the all-round budget AM4 pick
How-To Geek positioned the Ryzen 5 5600 as its general budget AM4 recommendation. It has six cores and twelve threads, uses Zen 3, and is listed in the article with 32MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0. The article describes it as close to the 5600X while offering a value-oriented alternative. A suitable B550 board is one pairing it discusses; choose 16GB or, if the budget allows, 32GB of compatible memory based on the work you expect the PC to handle.
Intel Core i5-12400F: consider it in a deal or existing LGA1700 system
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core, twelve-thread desktop processor for Intel’s FCLGA1700 socket. Intel lists support for DDR4-3200 or DDR5-4800; the board determines which memory type the system can use. A DDR4 B660 or B760 board is one possible pairing, but check the exact board specifications and CPU support list before buying. The LGA1700 platform can support processors from Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th generations, subject to motherboard support and, in some cases, a BIOS update. The 12400F makes most sense here when its price is compelling or it comes in a worthwhile bundle.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: AM4 for work that can use eight cores
The Ryzen 7 5700X is the AM4 choice to consider when more cores can help with tasks such as transcoding, rendering, or running virtual machines. How-To Geek contrasts its eight-core appeal with the Ryzen 5 5600’s budget value and notes that extra CPU capacity may also benefit some CPU-heavy games. If your usual work is lightly threaded, the lower-cost six-core option may be the more sensible use of the budget.
Intel Core i5-14600KF: higher performance with more platform and cooling checks
How-To Geek presents the Core i5-14600KF as a higher-performance option for a DDR4 system. The article lists six Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, and twenty threads, and notes that it can be used with DDR4 or DDR5 depending on the motherboard. Before purchase, verify that the exact LGA1700 board supports the processor and has the required BIOS; older boards may need an update. Include an adequate cooler in the build budget and check the board and cooler requirements for your specific setup.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D: premium gaming upgrade for a compatible AM4 owner
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is best understood as a possible end-of-platform upgrade for an existing AM4 gaming PC, not a flexible starting point for a new build. How-To Geek attributes its potential gains in CPU-bound games to 3D V-Cache and notes a $349 MSRP for the 10-year AM4 anniversary edition. That MSRP is not a current retail quote, and neither current stock nor street price is established here. Confirm motherboard BIOS support and compare the actual purchase cost with the price of a newer platform before committing.
Use this checklist before you buy
- Identify the platform you own or plan to buy. Confirm whether the board is AM4 or LGA1700 and check its exact CPU support list.
- Confirm memory compatibility. For Intel LGA1700, verify whether the specific board is a DDR4 or DDR5 model. Do not assume memory can be changed without changing boards.
- Check BIOS requirements. Look up the board’s supported BIOS version for the chosen CPU and determine whether an update is needed before installation.
- Compare full-system costs. Include CPU, motherboard, memory, cooler where needed, and any BIOS-update service or component required to complete the build.
- Match the processor to the workload. Favor the 5600 for budget general use on AM4, the 5700X when additional cores matter, or the 5800X3D for a compatible AM4 gaming upgrade. For LGA1700, weigh the 12400F’s deal value against the 14600KF’s performance and cooling needs.
- Assess used-part risk. For used CPUs and boards, check the seller’s return policy, tested condition, and compatibility details rather than relying on an old price threshold.
- Check current prices. Compare current DDR4 and DDR5 kits and platform totals; the August 2026 figures above are historical source examples, not a live market survey.
Sources and specification notes
How-To Geek’s article, published August 30, 2026, is the source for the model recommendations, use cases, and dated DDR4 and 5800X3D price examples: How-To Geek. Intel’s official Core i5-12400F specifications confirm the socket, core and thread count, and memory support: Intel Core i5-12400F specifications. AMD specifications and other model-specific details in this article follow the How-To Geek article; current retail availability and prices are not established.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
