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Best gaming CPU for $100: Tie
Athlon II X4 620
| Athlon II X4 620 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Propus |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 4 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.6 GHz |
| Socket: | AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 4 x 128KB |
| L2 Cache: | 4 x 512KB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 95W |
AMD has introduced a solid quad-core processor for the masses with its Athlon II X4 620. On paper, this CPU is similar to a Phenom II X4 810, stripped of it's L3 cache and given a slight HyperTransport speed boost (of course, we know it centers on a smaller, more economical Propus die). In our testing, the Athlon II X4 620 demonstrated clear dominance over comparably-priced CPUs in apps and games that can take advantage of multiple threads.
Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition (Check Prices)
| Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Callisto |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 2 |
| Clock Speed: | 3.1 GHz |
| Socket: | AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 2 x 128KB |
| L2 Cache: | 2 x 512KB |
| L3 Cache: | 6MB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 80W |
Although the dual-core Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition might be a bit slower than the comparably-priced Phenom II X3 710 when it comes to gaming, it offers something that the 710 doesn't have: an unlocked multiplier. Like all of AMD's Black Edition processors, the Phenom II X2 550 can be effortlessly overclocked by simply upping the multiplier, earning this CPU a place on our recommended list for overclocking fans.
Best gaming CPU for $120: None
With the Athlon II X4 640 and Phenom II X2 550 BE offering great performace at the $100 price point, there's little benefit offered from the following $120 CPUs. However, these models can provide extra headroom for overclockers willing to massage them a bit:
Honorable Mentions:
Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition (Check Prices)
| Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Heka |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 3 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.8 GHz |
| Socket: | AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 3 x 128KB |
| L2 Cache: | 3 x 512KB |
| L3 Cache: | 6MB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 95W |
- Phenom II X3 720...
Is the mere 200 MHz clock speed increase over the Phenom II X3 710 worth $20? Maybe, but the unlocked multiplier feature that AMD's Black Edition processors sport is worth a lot more to overclockers who want easy access to the headroom available in AMD's Deneb die.
Core 2 Duo E7500 (Check Prices)
| Core 2 Duo E7500 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Wolfdale-3M |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 2 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.93 GHz |
| Socket: | LGA 775 |
| L2 Cache: | 3MB |
| Front Side Bus: | 1,066 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
At 2.93 GHz, the Core 2 Duo E7500 is a good match-up against the Phenom II X3 720. Even without an unlocked multiplier, the E7500 is an excellent overclocker and won't disappoint. It has a slight clock rate advantage over AMD's contender, but its dual-core design won't be as nimble in threaded apps. The direction you go at this price level will really depend on the type of software you run.
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Best gaming CPU for $100: Tie Phenom II X3 710 Phenom II X3 710 Codename: Heka Process: 45nm CPU Cores: 3 Clock Speed: 2.6 GHz Socket: AM3 L1 Cache: 3 x 128KB L2 Cache: 3 x 512KB L3 Cache: 6MB HyperTransport: 4,000 MHzThermal Envelope:...
Good mix, AMD CPUs are earning the recommendations but what's this? i7 920 is "Past the point of reason"?
This is especially the case since the Core i7-750 can be overclocked to great effect if more performance is desired,
my cpu didn't make the list
my cpu didn't make the list
Im sorry......I think Intel stopped making Pentium 4s.........
my opinion is that instead of best cpu for X amount of money i think they should make it best cpu for x pricerange or at least include it somewhere.
what i mean by that is if you have x dollars to spend on a new build you buy the cpu meant for x pricerange.
my opinion is that instead of best cpu for X amount of money i think they should make it best cpu for x pricerange or at least include it somewhere.what i mean by that is if you have x dollars to spend on a new build you buy the cpu meant for x pricerange.
Interesting idea, but I know myself I wanted a i7, and was willing to sacrifice elsewere.
A i7 was no were near my budget... don't regret it at all though.
But tacoslave, wouldn't that be harder to define? A gaming new build can be for multi-threading gaming (WiC, GTA4), super heavy graphics gaming (Crysis), or gaming while multi-tasking.
Given that each build have different main purposes, the 'ingredients' will vary too. Like, a $500 gaming build should have X CPU if doing multi-threading/tasking or Y CPU with better GPU for gaming.
Since other parts; PSU, GPU, RAM, Mobo, etc, have their individual spec, it'll be more like which CPU can fit in the budget left for it e.g budget = $500, other components = $400, CPU budget = $100
Well, just my personal opinion
Still glad to see the E7500 and E8500 as I have an E7400 and am waiting for Generation 2 Core i7 1366 chips. This chart has always been a useful indicator for gamers.
Although it would be nice to see different categories for instance Video/audiophiles would enjoy a different platform and not necessarily a gaming CPU, it would be nice to see charts for that segment of PC user.
Also it would great to see some graphs to directly compare cpus.
You obviously wrote Core i7 850 instead of Core i7 860 in the Gaming CPU Hierarchy Chart. Anyways, I think that Core i7 860 should not be forgotten even for recommendation (at least honorable mention) because, while it performs at the same level with i7 920 and it even costs the same, i7 860 is more power efficient not to mention that the 860's platform as a whole, costs less than 920's platform (P55 against X58).
Man, my E6400 is starting to show his age... Gonna start saving for the 750...
Good article and very useful. I just think that should be some diferences between recomending for example an Q9550 and an 750 because the first only costs the price of the CPU, because there is a lot of 775 MBs out there, while the second costs the price of the CPU and the MB and RAM, so maybe it´s not worth the price diference.
Just a thought...
Did anyone consider cheaper CPU, I'd like to know how good the Atom CPU is.
The Atom CPU would not be a good choice for gaming; It is not very powerful and also I believe only comes built-in to the motherboard.
The Atom might not be, but I think the Sempron 140 with the 2nd core unlocked holds up against 5200+ and it's cheaper.
You just can't go wrong with an i5-750.Low TPD,insane over clocks,low system motherboard,memory,CPU cost it should be the most popular new platform out there especially for gamers.Pair it up with 2 Radeon 5850 cards and you have a stacked deck of cards (bang per buck with lots of bang.You can go the i7 route though but you're paying up the *ss for it.
what i really wish toms would do when it comes to its recomandation of gaming cpu's is.
Let me see how to explain.
say the athlon 250, yes its an ok cpu for its money, but when considering building a gaming rig u need to know how powerful gpu solution can that cpu support.
can it drive a gtx 275 or 4890 without beeing a bottelneck, can it drive a 5850 and so on. In order to do the best and best bang for buck build u need to know where the limits for a cpu goes when it comes to feed the graphic cards with input.
I really wish Toms would do a test like that for cpu/gpu combination. Because that really would settel the best gaming cpu in all classes.
X3 720 only an honourable mention? Not if you're a gamer, it doesn't make sense to go with the X4 620 which has no L3 Cache, compared to the X3 720 with has 6MB. It makes a big difference.
RE: the $190 category:
Honorable Mentions:
Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
Very little reason?!?!? It is absolutely ridiculous not to list the 955 as the best CPU @ $190.
I've owned the x3 720 (destroyed by USPS) and currently own the x2 550, very pleased with both, great performance vs. price and overclocking.
Why would anyone with any real-world experience knock the E8500? Easily overclockable to 3.6Ghz, for the price it's one of the best CPU's out there if you're making a gaming rig. Go TH for sticking to your guns on this one.
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail $62.99
Look, the 5200 was a great CPU, but why in God's name you would recommend the $60 5200 over the $63 45nm Athlon II x2 is beyond me. That's not even a fluke price, it's been that way for weeks.