Best Gaming CPU for £85:
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 £140.
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.
Create a new thread in the UK Article comments forum about this subject
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1 Hideruban71 , 12 February 2014 23:03For mid range I would go for the AMD FX8320 which is now under £110
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0 HideRobCrezz , 13 February 2014 11:22Small mistake in the article. You list the 4930k as Sandybridge-E, when its Ivybridge-E.
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1 HideRobCrezz , 13 February 2014 11:23And you also list the 4770k as Ivybridge, when it is Haswell.
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0 HideWarlord Zorg , 13 February 2014 13:50as thet did last month - they do not follow the comments aparrently
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0 HideOMGninjakiller , 13 February 2014 23:11Don't the i5-4670K and the i7-4770K use LGA 1150 not 1155 as mentioned here?
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0 HideWarlord Zorg , 14 February 2014 08:20Indeed it does
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2 HideUsmanM4 , 14 February 2014 15:34how is an i5 2300 better than a fx8320.