Best Gaming CPU for £60:
Athlon X4 750K
| Athlon X4 750K | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Trinity |
| Process: | 32 nm |
| CPU Cores/Threads: | 2/4 |
| Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): | 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz) |
| Socket: | FM2 |
| Cache: | 2 x 64 KB + 4 x 16 KB, 2 x 2 MB |
| Thermal Envelope: | 100 W |
At around £100, AMD's A10-5700 isn't a particularly compelling gaming processor. But imagine if it was £40 cheaper and included an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. That isn't a dream any longer. At last, the Athlon X4 750K is available. Selling for roughly £60, this is the cheapest enthusiast-friendly CPU you'll find. And while its lack of L3 cache hurts in games, we at least like knowing that its 100 W thermal ceiling isn't divided between x86 cores and graphics.
Read our review of the Trinity-based A series CPUs here.
Best Gaming CPU for £80:
AMD FX-4300
| AMD FX-4300 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Vishera |
| Process: | 32 nm |
| CPU Cores/Threads: | 4/4 |
| Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): | 3.8 (4.0) GHz |
| Socket: | AM3+ |
| Cache (L1, L2, L3) | 2 x 64 KB + 4 x 16 KB, 2 x 2 MB, 8 MB |
| Thermal Envelope: | 95 W |
At stock clock rates, AMD's FX-4300 is in the same league as the company's Phenom II X4 965 and not far behind the Core i3-4130. However, its TDP is 30 W lower than the extinct Phenom, and an unlocked multiplier is an advantage over the more expensive Core i3. We're singling out the FX-4300 for folks who might want to consider a low-cost, multiplier-unlocked, gaming CPU built on the Piledriver architecture and armed with L3 cache, which the Athlon line-up lacks.
When (if ever) are we going to see updated FX processors to challang Intel in the mid range? Have AMD just given up on this area?
Though, if HSA is transparent to all forms of software (I.E, already-made programs/games), I'd expect AMD to become the champ. At least for a short while.
Not all game support Hyperthreaded logical cores, but more do support multi core CPUs like AMD's 8 cores.
Sure right now I do not see an OC'd i5 holding you back much either, but can only be a good thing to see AMD do well and help make the CPU market even more competative in the near future... really feels like Intel have been dragging their feet in recent years while keeping prices up (also good for AMD who were left a bit far behind for a while there)
And I think they recommended the i5 3570K instead of the Haswell i5 4670K, because Ivy Bridge can clock much higher than haswell and also runs cooler.
Aren't gamers most likely to buy a stand alone GPU?
Why bother with CPU's with integrated GPU.
Why pay for something you will never use?
What about the guys that pimp their systems with all kinds of water, led, etc..
And isnt it much easier to upgrade just your GPU instead of CPU + MOBO?
The table states 2 cores but I'm pretty sure it has 4.