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Best Gaming CPU: Mid-range

Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: February 2012
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Best Gaming CPU for £85: None

Honourable Mention:
FX-4100

FX-4100
Codename: Zambezi
Process: 32 nm
CPU Cores: 4
Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): 3.3 (3.9) GHz
Socket: AM3+
L2 Cache: 6 MB
L3 Cache:   8 MB
HyperTransport: 4000 MT/s
Thermal Envelope:
95 W
Although the FX-4100's stock gaming performance is nothing to write home about, this CPU might appeal to overclockers because of its unlocked clock multiplier. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect stable frequencies in the neighbourhood of 4.5 GHz from this budget-oriented representative of AMD's new processor family. And at that speed, it comes close to the performance of a Core i3-2100. With the Phenom II X4 955 at the end of its life and disappearing from retail, this FX-4100 is the only CPU from AMD left in our list.

Read our review of AMD's FX CPU right here.

Best Gaming CPU for £95:

Core i3-2120

Core i3-2120
Codename: Sandy Bridge
Process: 32 nm
CPU Cores/Threads: 2/4
Clock Speed: 3.3 GHz
Socket: LGA 1155
L2 Cache: 2 x 256 KB
L3 Cache: 3 MB
Thermal Envelope:
65 W

As our 'Who's Got Game?' CPU comparison article proved, the budget Core i3-2100 is a surprisingly capable force in the gaming arena, able to beat the powerful quad-core CPUs that traditionally dominate this price segment. As such, the newer and faster £95 Core i3-2120 is a great starting point for folks who want to enjoy solid gaming performance now, with an option to upgrade to Ivy Bridge-based parts once they emerge later this year.

Yes, you have to essentially forsake the potential for overclocking, given (what we consider to be) enthusiast-unfriendly locks on the multiplier and a base clock with very little room to scale beyond 100 MHz. But the stock performance is compelling, and this CPU still warrants a recommendation.

Read our review of the Sandy Bridge-based CPUs here.

Best Gaming CPU for £150:
Core i5-2400

Core i5-2400
Codename: Sandy Bridge
Process: 32 nm
CPU Cores/Threads: 4
Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): 3.1 GHz (3.4 GHz)
Socket: LGA 1155
L2 Cache: 4 x 256 KB
L3 Cache: 6 MB
Thermal Envelope:
95 W

Intel's Sandy Bridge microarchitechture is undeniably fast. Test data suggests that the Core i5-2400 can stand toe-to-toe with Core i7-900-series processors when it comes to gaming performance. We're not talking about the entry-level models, either. This affordable processor has the chops to compete with Intel's older £800 Extreme Edition chips.

As great as the Core i5-700-series chips are, the Core i5-2000 processors hit the afterburners and fly right by. Plus, the LGA 1156 interface is essentially dead, so it seems silly to sink any money into it at this point.

Read our review of the Sandy Bridge-based CPUs here.

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  • 0 Hide
    williehmmm , 18 February 2012 20:29
    My direct experience of a FX-4100, I saw a 50% increase in frame rates in the game F1 2011 compared to a core 2 duo e8500 OC'd to 3.9Ghz. GTX470, Ultra details, 1280x1024, x4AA, 40fps for the core 2, compared to 60fps for the FX 4100.

    Yet these 2 CPUs are on the same tier.

    You need to do an extensive testing benchmark of what I consider to tbe the best value CPU currently on the market.

    Compare it to older CPUs, Phenoms, core 2 duos, i3, and the mighty i5 2500k. Resolutions through to the ridiculous, where the FX 4100 really seems to be on par with much more expensive CPUs.

    And overclock them to see what extra is available.

    Then give us that all important frame rate per pound/dollar bar graph. And make sure you include the cost of the motherboard. My experience is that AM3+ boards cost 30% - 40% less.

    The FX 4100 is significantly faster than a core 2 duo. If you read this chart, you would be persuaded not to upgrade. And that information is plain wrong.