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Best Mid-Range Gaming Processors

Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: November 2013
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Best Gaming CPU for £85:

Honourable Mention:
FX-6300

FX-6300
Codename: Vishera
Process: 32 nm
CPU Cores/Threads: 6/6
Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz)
Socket: AM3+
L2 Cache:   3 x 2 MB
L3 Cache: 8 MB
Thermal Envelope:
95 W

The FX-6300 fares fairly well in gaming, presumably thanks to better multi-core utilization and optimization for AMD's architecture over time. While Intel's Core i3-4130 offers a bit more gaming performance, we don't think you'll be able to tell the difference. On the other hand, the FX-6300 costs £5 less, and features six integer cores that unquestionably benefit performance in threaded desktop applications.

Read our review of the Vishera-based FX CPUs here.

Best Gaming CPU for £90:

Core i3-4130

Core i3-4130
Codename: Haswell
Process: 22 nm
CPU Cores/Threads: 2/4
Clock Speed (Max. Turbo): 3.4 GHz
Socket: LGA 1150
Integrated GPU:
HD Graphics 4400 (350 MHz, 1.15 GHz Turbo)
Cache:  2 x 64 KB, 2 x 256 KB, 3 MB
Thermal Envelope:
54 W

Intel's Haswell-based CPUs are very capable in games, though we're increasingly seeing dual-core Pentiums 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 Core i3 CPUs in those same blockbusters. Although a locked multiplier limits overclocking to a few-megahertz bump in BCLK frequency, we still consider Intel's Core i3-4130 to be a good starting point for gamers who might upgrade to a faster LGA 1150-based processor in the future.

Read our review of the Haswell-based CPUs here.

Best Gaming CPU for £130:

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 £130.

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.

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  • 0 Hide
    lorribot , 23 November 2013 01:48
    Was that a cut and paste from last month?

    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?
  • 0 Hide
    MajinCry , 23 November 2013 11:21
    AMD Wouldn't stand a chance; Intel has FAR more money and *cough* measures in place to prevent AMD from becoming a threat.

    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.
  • 1 Hide
    Treeroy , 24 November 2013 14:33
    Why is the i5-3570K the recommend CPU for £180? The i5-4670K is the same price...
  • 0 Hide
    Pailin , 24 November 2013 17:12
    also depends upon which games you play. For CryEngine based games I would Easily choose an AMD 8350 over the i5 for performance and especially the i7 for price/performance ratio.

    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)
  • 0 Hide
    anthonyla65 , 1 December 2013 01:25
    Can't see how a 740K is better than a Haswell G3420. I know its a dual but its 55W TDP and probably still much faster at stock clock. I know the 740K can be OC'd, but you are severely limited in upgrade path and it could run way past the 100W when OC'd aswell. Fast Dual > Slow quad in my opinion. The G3420 outperforms the X4 640 easily (performs similar to a PII 965) so it would destroy this 740K and would have a motherboard where you can swap it out for a i5 4670K if required. With the 740K you're stuck, unless you replace the motherboard too as FM2 is dead end.

    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.
  • 0 Hide
    MMSR , 1 December 2013 18:33
    What I don't understand..

    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?
  • 0 Hide
    MajinCry , 1 December 2013 18:44
    I predict we will be getting APUs with high-end GPUs, a la P$4 and XBone.
  • 0 Hide
    MMSR , 1 December 2013 19:06
    Yeah, but does machines are not for tweakers, those are for the masses.

    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?
  • 0 Hide
    chrisso , 7 December 2013 16:55
    The old chart layout was much easier to read.
  • 0 Hide
    Michael Robinson , 16 December 2013 17:07
    Guys, the info for the Athlon X4 750K is wrong!
    The table states 2 cores but I'm pretty sure it has 4.
  • 0 Hide
    Zeljko Vukovic , 17 December 2013 22:40
    And where are i3 Haswell processors?
  • 0 Hide
    Zeljko Vukovic , 18 December 2013 01:49
    And where are i3 Haswell processors?