CPU And Cooler
Processor: Intel Core i3-3220
Aside from a weakness in the most CPU-demanding areas of Crysis 3, we know Intel's Core i3-3220 to be a highly capable gaming processor. Its pair of Hyper-Threaded physical cores is each capable of scheduling two threads at a time. And although it isn't overclocking-friendly, high per-clock performance and a respectable 3.3 GHz clock rate make it a worthy foundation on which to build a value-oriented gaming PC.
Read Customer Reviews of Intel's Core i3-3220 (opens in new tab)
CPU Cooler: Intel Retail Boxed Heat Sink And Fan
Intel’s boxed cooler consists of a low-profile orb-style aluminum heat sink, a low-speed 0.28 A PWM-controlled fan, and a push-pin mounting bracket. It's sufficient for what we need it to do, and even under full-load, the fan remains fairly quiet. Best of all, it doesn't pull funds away from other more performance-oriented parts.