Best Gaming CPU: under $95
Best gaming CPU for $65:
Athlon II X2 250 (Check Prices)
| Athlon II X2 250 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Regor |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 2 |
| Clock Speed: | 3.0 GHz |
| Socket: | AM2+/AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 2 x 64KB |
| L2 Cache: | 2 x 1MB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
The Athlon II X2 250 has dropped a few dollars in price, displacing its slightly slower Athlon II X2 245 derivative for our lowest-priced gaming CPU recommendation.
This chip allows the flexibility to go one of two different ways: either drop it in as an upgrade for your Socket AM2+-based platform or build a brand new low-cost Socket AM3 machine based on it. With a high 3.0 GHz clock speed, the Athlon II X2 250 offers excellent gaming performance at the price. Moreover, its 65W thermal design power is great for power- and heat-conscious enthusiasts.
Best gaming CPU for $80:
Athlon II X3 425
| Athlon II X3 425 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Rana |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 3 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.7 GHz |
| Socket: | AM2+/AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 3 x 64KB |
| L2 Cache: | 3 x 512KB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
The Athlon II X3 425 boasts three execution cores. And, compared to a dual-core processor, that extra core will make a notable difference in multi-tasking performance, as well as game play. This model also has good overclocking headroom if you want to push it a little further.
Best gaming CPU for ~$90:
Athlon II X3 435
| Athlon II X3 435 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Rana |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 3 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.9 GHz |
| Socket: | AM2+/AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 3 x 64KB |
| L2 Cache: | 3 x 512KB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
From a stock performance standpoint, the Athlon II X3 435 only offers a 200 MHz speed bump over the Athlon II X3 425. However, the higher multiplier might help if your goal is overclocking. Thus, we're including this one as a potentially-superior tweaker's choice.
Read our review of the Athlon II X3 435, right here.
Pentium E6500
| Pentium Dual-Core E6500 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Wolfdale-2M |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 2 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.93 GHz |
| Socket: | LGA 775 |
| L2 Cache: | 2MB |
| Front Side Bus: | 1,066 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
At stock clock rates, the E6500 will usually lose to AMD's Athlon II X3 435. However, the E6500 has already established itself as a CPU with plenty of high overclocking potential, reportedly exceeding 4 GHz without too much trouble. This makes it an attractive option for budget-oriented overclockers who already have have an LGA 775 motherboard.
Related Stories :
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: May 2013
- GAME UK Customers Name Nintendo Wii Best Console Ever
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: November 2011
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: October 2011
- Picking A Sub-$200 Gaming CPU: FX, An APU, Or A Pentium?
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: September 2011
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: August 2011
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: July 2011
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: June 2011
- Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: May 2011
Sigh I wish all the prices you say are the same as the prices in the link "check prices" anyway good job on the update
Another good job on this excellent feature Cleeve. Have a Merry Christmas!
Still missing Core i7 960 in the top tier on the chart in the last page.
The core 2 duo e8500 has remaind $189.99 on the egg since your last installment quoting that price there a couple weeks ago. Why would you now direct people to needlessly spend $230.00 @ server supply, a difference of $40?
I really can't understand the fascination to recomend the i5 750 over a Phenom II 965. The i5 is faster in various applications, but their gaming results are very similar and the platform cost for AMD is much lower.
I really can't understand the fascination to recomend the i5 750 over a Phenom II 965. The i5 is faster in various applications, but their gaming results are very similar and the platform cost for AMD is much lower.
what platform cost ? i am running a single 5850 on $105 gigabyte UD2 with i5 on 3.6 stock voltage . gskill ram , psu , case , hdd , dvdrw etc is the same price . and the i5 is only 5$ more than 965 "BE" .
Try this at dell.com
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showt [...] id=1750904
Dual Core Xeon Processor 5060,2x2MB Cache, 3.20GHz, 1066MHZ FSB [dell.com], $10.99 DEAD
Xeon 3.0 GHz Dual Core Processor [dell.com], $16.99 DEAD
Xeon L5430 2.66 GHz Quad Core Second Processor [dell.com], $12.99
Xeon E3110 3 GHz Dual Core Processor [dell.com], $16.99
Xeon X5470 3.33 GHz Quad Core Processor [dell.com], $23.99
Xeon E5450 3.0 GHz Quad Core Processor [dell.com], $39.99
yeah , merry xMas all of tom's hardware !
Are there any industry stats indicatings which cpu's are most popular with gamers? Intel Core2 Quads?
What this review always lacks is a recommendation on what to buy regardless of price. I think most people are like me - want to buy a graphics card for $70-$150 with the best value. Most times, good value is more important than a $15 price difference between two cards.
I would like a section saying: "The following 3 cards have great value". Then I could just pick one which fits in my budget.
Yes! I just researched and put together an $800 system and I came to the conclusion after my studies that the i5 with the GeForce GTS 250 would be the best value for my price range (leaving enough budget for case, mobo, ram, hdd, psu). With what I have been learning/reading these last few weeks (which is everything i now know about hardware) basically left me with the i5 or i7 to use, and the i7 was a little steep and like the 1156 is dual channel ddr3 where as the 1136 is tri-chan so going i5 i think gives cheaper ram and mobo to buy too, and i5 overclocks so well! Anyways, i ordered my parts Monday and I'm just glad to read that tomshardware recommends the i5 as the best CPU for gaming! Means i made the right choice...
I always enjoy the "Best...for the money" articles. I'm amazed that the 1366 chips are considered past the point of reason...interesting take on that.
Ohh finally for the perfect month.
How about the II X4 925 Deneb 2.8GHz for $140.00 on new egg. The only problem I see with the X3 425 and 435 is that new egg does not offer free shipping and that adds an extra 6 bucks to the price.
Micro Center has an i7-920 for $199.99. Seems like the winner to me.
You forgot to mention that the $199.99 i7-920 at Micro Center is the in-store price only. Can't have that shipped to you. They also have the i5-750 for $149.99. Great deals on all their processors (in-store only though).
Ewiz.com has $10 off any order over $75. Good savings there too.
Micro Center FTW. Bought my i7-920 there.
Antec P182 Gunmetal w/ Custom Side Panel Window/ Cooler Master Silent Pro M 700W
Intel Core i7 920 D0 @ 3.2 / OCZ Gladiator Max 120mm CPU Cooler
MSI X58 Platinum SLI / OCZ Reaper HPC 6GB DDR3-1800 @ 7-7-7-16 / XFX GTX 275 OC
160GB VelociRaptor(OS) / 2TB Storage / Samsung 22X & 20x SATA DVD Burner with LS
Hanns·G 24" 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor / Logitech Wireless Slim Desktop S 510
Windows 7 Professional x64
It's a good thing the closest Micro Center is only about 500 miles away from me because 1000 miles in gas is penny change.
Micro Center pwns the CPU prices, but not everyone has one in their region and they do not ship orders - it's in store purchases only.
But I don't know why people slam E8500 CPU builds. I've got an E8400 overclocked to 4.4GHz on air and it mows through heavily CPU bound games/sims like FSX at high resolution and graphic settings. If you are on a budget and can't afford an i7/x58 build, it's the way to go if you are successful at getting it overclocked. I'd shy away from the 1156/P55 platform as they aren't as proven to overclock success as the x58 boards.