The Best Processors that will not kill your wallet
In the world of PC building there is no piece more important, more crucial than the CPU (Central Processing Unit). Your whole build is centered on what CPU you are going to use. The CPU is the most important piece of a PC. Without the CPU the computer cannot process any information and in plain old English your computer is dead. Choosing the right CPU for your computer is vital, but the term “best” is subjective. What might be best for you, might not be the best for someone else. It all comes down to two factors.
What are you going to be using the PC for?
What is your budget?
If you are going to be using the computer for light office work, internet use, listening to music, and maybe light movie watching, then you will not need anything more than a dual core or even a low quad core processor. If you are going to do heavy 1080p 4k gaming, heavy multitasking, video and music editing, or any of those combinations, then you are going to need a high performance six core+ CPU.
No matter what budget you have, these CPU’s will serve your needs. Here the top ten Budget Processors as of June 2015.
10: Intel Celeron G1840
Average Price: $45.99
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: two
Cache: 2MB
Processor Base Frequency: 2.8GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics
RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333 at 1.5V
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
The Intel Celeron G1840 starts off the list because it’s the cheapest processor you can get. It can outperform so of AMD’s Dual Core Processors with similar prices.
Pros:
affortable Price
It has a Integrated graphics card
Doesn’t use that much Power
Cons:
Only Dual Core
No overclocking
Can only support 1333MHz DDR3 RAM
Perfect For:
Browsing the internet
Watching Movies (DVDs, 720p)
Listening to music
Streaming
Office Work
Not Good For:
Heavy Multitasking
Demanding Applications
Any kind of Editing
Gaming (old school games are ok but anything 2005 and over not good)
09: Intel Pentium G3250
Average Price: $56.42
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: two
Cache: 3MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.2GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics
RAM Support: DDR3 1333MHz
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
Next on the list is the Intel Pentium G3250. This Processor has better specs than the Intel Celeron on this list and has enough raw processing power to outperform most AMD’s dual core processor in the same price range.
Pros:
Good CPU performance
Low price
Integrated Graphics Card
Doesn’t use that much power
Cons:
Only a Dual core Processor
No Overclocking
Can only Support DDR3 1333MHz RAM
The Integrated Graphics Card is not suitable for gaming
Perfect For:
A Budget Family PC
Office Work
Internet Browsing
Watching Movies
Listening to Music
Streaming
Not Good For:
Heavy Multitasking
Demanding Applications
Any Kind of Editing
Gaming
08: Intel Pentium G3258
Average Price: $69.99
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: two
Cache: 3MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.2GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics
RAM Support: DDR3 1333MHz
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
You may be wondering why this processor is on the list when the Intel Pentium G3250 has similar specs and is cheaper. What sets this CPU apart from the previous ones are that this processor is fully unlocked. This CPU has enough processing power to outperform any of AMD’s Premium Dual Core CPUs.
Pros:
Good CPU performance
Can be Overclocked
Doesn’t use that much power
Integrated Graphics Card
Cons:
Only Dual Core
Supports only DDR3 1333MHz
Perfect for:
Very tight budget gaming PC
Family PC
Watching Movies
Browsing the internet
Listening to music
Streaming
Small budget server
Not good for:
Any kind of Editing
High End gaming
07: Intel Core i3-4160
Average Price: $118.30
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: two
Cache: 3MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.6GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4400
RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
The Processor of choice for Alienware’s Entry level Alpha Series desktops. This Processor holds the reputation of outperforming AMD’s six Core CPUs in single thread gaming on most games. I would have to say the only down fall to this great CPU is that it’s only a Dual Core processor.
Pros:
Great CPU performance
Doesn’t use that much power
Integrated Graphics Card
Cons:
Only Dual Core with hyper threading
No Overclocking
Perfect For:
Family PC
Office PC
Internet use
Streaming
Watching Movies
Listening to Music
Budget Gaming PC
Budget Server
Not good for:
Workstation
High Performance Gaming PC
06: AMD FX-8320
Average Price: $141.15
Architecture: Vishera
Cores: eight
Cache: 8MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
Integrated GPU: No
RAM Support: DDR3 1866MHz
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: AM3+
The First AMD Processor on this list and I think a good one to start AMD with. For the price you are getting an eight core processor. Intel doesn’t really have a CPU that outperforms this processor for the price. What is good about this processor is that it excels at multitasking. While Intel excels at raw gaming power, AMD processors can multi-task better.
Pros:
Good Processing Power
Eight Core Processor
Fully unlocked
Can be overclocked
Officially Supports 1866MHz DDR3 RAM
Cons:
Gaming Performance is as good as a Intel Quad Core Processor
High power usage then Intel
No Integrated Graphics Card
Upgrading is limited
Perfect for:
High end Family PC
Mid-Range Gaming PC with a dedicated graphics card
Workstation PC
Server PC
Not good for:
Streaming PC
Budget Low Power Consumption
05: AMD A10-7850K APU
Average Price: $141.15
Architecture: Kaveri
Cores:12 (4 core CPU + eight core GPU)
Cache: 4MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.7GHz
Integrated GPU: Radeon R7
RAM Support: DDR3 2133MHz
Max RAM: 64GB
Socket: FM2+
AMD’s Newest APU bad boy. This CPU is on the list because of its features and price. AMD has done something that Intel has not and that is creating a CPU with a good integrated graphics card. This APU as AMD calls it has the power to play some games at 1080p. The frames per second are not that great by gaming standards with most games pushing 30fps to about 45 maybe 50 depending on the kind of RAM you have. For the price you are getting a two in one deal. You are getting a good GPU with an ok to good CPU.
Pros:
Powerful integrated Graphics Card
Supports 2133MHz and 2400MHz DDR3 RAM
Cons:
Average CPU Performance (Intel has better Quad Core CPU for little higher prices)
Perfect for:
A budget Family PC (Offers good overall balance performance)
A budget Gaming PC (Can run some games at 1080p without a dedicated graphics card)
Not good for:
Workstation
Streaming PC
Server that requires a low power consumption
High End Gaming PC
04: Intel Core i5-4590
Average Price: $199.99
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: four
Cache: 6MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.3GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600
RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
Alienware’s CPU choice for their mid-range Alpha Desktop lines. This Quad-Core CPU out performs AMD’s eight core FX Series CPU because most games only use two to four cores at the most and that is what Intel focuses on the most. In the end the Intel Core i5-4590 is the better choice.
Pros:
Great CPU performance
Uses less power than AMD’s CPU
Cons:
No Overclocking
Integrated Graphics Card is weak and not good for gaming
Perfect For:
Family PC
Gaming PC (Needs a Dedicated Graphics Card)
Budget Workstation
Budget Server
Not good for:
Anything that needs low power consumption
03: Intel Core i7-4790K
Average Price: $339.65
Architecture: Haswell
Cores: four
Cache: 8MB
Processor Base Frequency: 4GHz
Integrated GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4600
RAM Support: DDR3 and DDR3L 1333MHz/1600MHz at 1.5V
Max RAM: 32GB
Socket: LGA 1150
High gaming performance. The only downfall I see in this CPU is that it’s only a Quad-Core Processor. This CPU offers better performance and low power consumption then AMD.
Pros:
Best CPU performance for gaming
Lower power consumption then AMD’s CPU and APU
Integrated graphics card
It can be overclocked
Cons:
The integrated graphics card is not good for gaming
Perfect for:
High end family PC
Medium to high end gaming PC
Budget Workstation
Budget Server
Not good for:
Trying to cut back on electricity
02: Intel i7-5820K
Average Price: $391.32
Architecture: Haswell-E
Cores: six
Cache: 15MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.3GHz
Integrated GPU: No
RAM Support: DDR4 1333/1600/2133
Max RAM: 64GB
Socket: LGA2011
The go to Processor for Alienware. The name Alienware says it all. Alienware is known for using the best Processors, so it’s a no brainer why Alienware chose this processor for their cheapest gaming desktop. This processor destroys anything AMD has right now. It is the processor gamers choose when they are building a gaming PC. There is nothing this processor can do.
Pros:
Great CPU Performance
Can be overclocked
Supports Quad Channel DDR4 2133MHz
Consumes less electricity then AMD’s best CPU
Cons:
Must buy your own CPU cooler
PCI-Express 3.0 24 lane support only (Can be a problem if installing multiple Graphic Cards)
No Integrated graphic card
Perfect for:
High end Family PC
Gaming PC
High end Workstation
A Server
Not good for:
If you are trying to cut back on electricity
01: Intel i7-5930K
Average Price: $592.68
Architecture: Haswell-E
Cores: six
Cache: 15MB
Processor Base Frequency: 3.5GHz
Integrated GPU: No
RAM Support: DDR4 1333/1600/2133
Max RAM: 64GB
Socket: LGA2011
A faster version of the i7-5820k with full 40 Lanes PCI-Express 3.0 available for you to use. This the go to Processor for Alienware’s premium Gaming Desktop line. Do I need to say more?
Pros:
Great CPU Performance (Can handle anything you throw at it)
Can be overclocked
Supports DDR4 2133MHz
Ideal for crossfire or SLI with multiple video cards Use less power than AMD CPUs with similar specs.
Cons:
Need to buy a CPU Cooler
No integrated graphics card
Pretty pricy
Perfect for:
High-End Family PC
High-End Gaming PC
Workstation
Server
Not good for:
If you are trying to cut back on the electricity usage
There you have it. The best budget processor as of June 2015. Comment below if you have built a PC with any one of these processors or if you want to build one with any of these processors.
