So basically the consensus is the i3 is great for Fortnite, but Warzone needs more threads. In my years of building, I've found: - Intel Core i5-12400F: Definitely better for longevity.
- Intel Core i3-13100F: A slightly faster alternative if the price is right. Try to snag that i5 under $130 cuz those extra cores literally prevent stutters that kill quad-cores in big maps. gl!

So basically, I'd suggest the Intel Core i5-12400F like others said. Warzone is lowkey a beast and I've heard 4 cores can cause weird stability issues or stutters... which is kinda scary mid-game lol. * Better multi-tasking safety
* Smoother frame times * Higher longevity I'm still learning too, but I'm always worried about crashes, so the extra cores feel way safer for your build! anyway good luck!

For your situation, here's what I recommend: So basically, the main thing to consider is how modern game engines handle multitasking. A four-core chip like the i3 is great for light loads, but Warzone is lowkey a resource hog that really benefits from more threads to prevent frame drops during intense fights. - Get the Intel Core i5-12400F. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, which is basically the industry standard for a solid gaming rig these days. You can usually find it under $130 if you shop around, and those extra cores are HUGE for stability.
- While the Intel Core i3-12100F is a beast for the price, you’ll likely see much higher CPU usage and potential stutters in open-world games compared to the i5.
- To save cash for your SSD, maybe pair it with a budget-friendly ASRock B660M-HDV Motherboard. Seriously, the i5 is WAY better for longevity. I've been super satisfied with it in budget builds. gl!

oh man, building your first rig is soooo exciting!! i've been looking into this too and honestly it’s a tough choice. so basically, here is how i see it: Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i5-12400F. the i3 is like, super cheap and actually runs Fortnite like a dream! but i'm a bit cautious about it... 4 cores might struggle with Warzone since it’s kinda heavy. ngl, i think stretching for the Intel Core i5-12400F Desktop Processor is the way to go for the "safety" of those extra cores. it usually stays under your $130 limit if you catch a sale! plus, it pairs perfectly with the Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB GDDR6. i mean, do you think you’ll be multitasking much? if so, the i5 is definitely the king of value right now. good luck with the build, it’s gonna be amazing! 👍

Late to the party but honestly just go for the i5. Ive been building rigs for a decade and the jump from 4 to 6 cores is the single best quality of life upgrade you can make right now. The Intel Core i5-12400F 18M Cache up to 4.40 GHz is usually on sale for like $110-$120 these days. Even if the i3 looks good on paper for Fortnite, Warzone is a totally different beast. It loves threads. If you go with the i3, youre gonna notice your system chugging the second you try to stream to friends on Discord or leave a browser open while you play. To keep the total cost down, maybe look at a budget board like the ASRock B660M-HDV LGA 1700 instead of the expensive ones. Pair that with the RX 6600 and youll have a super balanced 1080p machine. Also, maybe snag a Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan Z 16GB DDR4 3200MHz kit to save a few more bucks for that SSD you wanted. Trust me, those extra cores are worth the stretch for the stability alone.

Saving this thread