Best Gaming CPU for £90:
Core i3-3220
| Core i3-3220 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Ivy Bridge |
| Process: | 22 nm |
| CPU Cores/Threads: | 2/4 |
| Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): | 3.3 GHz |
| Socket: | LGA 1155 |
| L2 Cache: | 2x 256 KB |
| L3 Cache: | 3 MB |
| Thermal Envelope: | 55 W |
Intel's Ivy Bridge-based CPUs are very capable gaming processors, though we're increasingly seeing dual-core derivatives of the design lagging behind in our favorite titles. Conversely, benchmark data makes it clear that the company's Hyper-Threading technology is effective in helping improve the performance of a dual-core CPU in threaded games.
Although a locked multiplier limits overclocking to a few-megahertz bump in BCLK frequency, we still consider Intel's Core i3-3220 to be a good starting point for gamers who might upgrade to a faster LGA 1155-based processor in the future.
Read our review of the Ivy Bridge-based CPUs here.
Honourable Mention:
FX-4300
| FX-4300 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Vishera |
| Process: | 32 nm |
| CPU Cores/Threads: | 2/4 |
| Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): | 3.8 GHz (4.0 GHz) |
| Socket: | AM3+ |
| L2 Cache: | 2 x 2 MB |
| L3 Cache: | 8 MB |
| Thermal Envelope: | 95 W |
At stock clock rates, AMD's FX-4300 is able to keep up with the Phenom II X4 965 and just about reach the Core i3-3220. However, its TDP is 35 W lower than the Phenom, and an unlocked multiplier is an advantage over the Core i3. We're giving it an honourable mention for the few reasons folks might want to consider a low-cost CPU built on the Piledriver architecture.
Read our review of the Vishera-based FX CPUs here.
Best Gaming CPU for £135:
Core i5-3350P
| Core i5-3350P | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Ivy Bridge |
| Process: | 22 nm |
| CPU Cores/Threads: | 4 |
| Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): | 3.1 GHz (3.3 GHz) |
| Socket: | LGA 1155 |
| L2 Cache: | 4 x 256 KB |
| L3 Cache: | 6 MB |
| Thermal Envelope: | 69 W |
Intel's Sandy and Ivy Bridge-based Core i5 processors are well-known for their gaming prowess at reasonable prices, and the Core i5-3350P is a particularly interesting option at £135.
The P suffix is an indication that Intel disables its HD Graphics engine, but we're perfectly alright with such a decision. If you're buying a gaming processor, you're going to want discrete graphics anyway. Consequently, this CPU ducks in under 70 W.
Read our review of the Ivy Bridge-based CPUs here.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
i think that the charts gets a bit confusing if you compare some of the intel processors to the AMD ones
Its like a first step for AMD, next is steamrollar and Excavator
If you want a cheap upgradable modern gaming PC go 1155 + G860 + discrete graphics or if you want a cheap allround/gaming pc then go FM2 + AMD integrated graphics.
The 965 BE, AMD's price
Keep your intel jargon to yourself, tornadohh.
Pls show me some benchmarks where 965 BE is just 20% slower at worse than the i5 2500k. That is at best wishful thinking and no im not Intel fan... otherwise i would have bought this wonder AMD long time ago but the truth it its old technology by now and the i5 CPUs are very well worth their money.
and honestly tomshardware was hyping the G860 like its the best thing after sliced bread (beating the 965 BE in some of the same games they are still benchmarking now) but in 2013 a dual core cpu is not good anymore so the old AMD quadcores get the recommendation because they are cheaper than the i5 s - hhhhm interesting.
actually when i compared my Athlon II X3 425 (4th core unlocked and overclocked to 3GHz) the G860 (dual core 3GHz) performs a lot better and im talking about current simulations not only shooters.
on the other hand there is the FM2 plattform and for example the A10 5800k really kicks some ass when its comes to a cheap TINY itx allround gaming pc (with picu psu for example). WITHOUT discrete graphics card. other than that im sorry there is not so much AMD can offer at the moment.
and really im not intel fanboy ...
Honourable Mention:
FX-4300
i wish that would have been the i5 killer but unfortunately its just not there... competing with an intel dual core cpu
The way it is we have quite the odd battle AMD quadcore vs Intel dualcore in the same price range... which makes decision not so easy because yes sometime soon there might be really no place anymore for a dual core in gaming but right now there is.