Best Processor Overall:
There are a wide range of processors available to suit everyone from the budget builder to the most demanding enthusiast. Either extreme has its advantages and drawbacks, but most people that are building or upgrading a PC fall somewhere in between -- looking for that 'sweet spot' of performance versus cost. The processors on this list are the perfect benchmarks for today's PCs, delivering considerable power and speed while never going past the point of diminishing returns on your CPU investment.
Intel Core i5-2400 Quad Core Processor
Intel's Sandy Bridge processors are the current champions in the mainstream price-vs-performance race, and the i5-2400 is the best in its class. Overclockers will need to go up the scale, and the cost of this CPU is still just high enough to recommend thinking twice about whether a lower-end i3 or AMD processor will get your job done, but the i5-2400 cannot be ignored by anyone looking to put together a fast, cool, and reasonably future-proofed PC to serve nearly any need. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i3-2100 Dual Core Processor
The Core i3-2100 is an attractively-priced CPU from Intel that improves upon previous generation's processors in every way. Overclockers may be able to squeeze more performance from a similarly-priced AMD processor, but the i3-2100 delivers cooler, faster results right out of the box...and the Socket 1155 format will still be around when Socket AM3 is becoming obsolete. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor
With most AMD processors, you feel compelled to add "for the price" when discussing the Phenom II X4 955's many merits. AMD simply excels at delivering more performance and 'tweakability' per dollar, and nowhere is this more obvious than the 955 which -- when pushed -- can go toe-to-toe with much more expensive CPUs. Until AMD provides a deal-breaking upgrade to the aging Socket AM3 format, the 955 remains the best cost-vs-performance equation in the overclocker's arsenal. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition 3.2Ghz Processor
The AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition is an extremely powerful and 'tweakable' processor for a very attractive price. The only downside is that much of its power will only be seen in very specific situations; most mainstream and gaming PCs would be equally well-equipped with the less-expensive X4 siblings. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4 Ghz Processor
Whether you choose the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition or the just-slightly-slower and just-slightly-cheaper 955 almost makes no difference. Overclockers will be able to see huge unlocked quad-core power and general-purpose PC builders will simply get good results at a much lower cost than the competition, but with the risk of being left behind by more updated Intel processors and the upcoming Bulldozer generation of AMD CPUs. Read Full Review »
Best Processor for Speed:
Obviously, raw CPU speed isn't everything; a 2005-era Pentium 4 running at 3.8 Ghz could never dream of keeping up with any of today's 2.4 Ghz processors. Details such as the number of processor cores, the data bus, memory latency, cache, and especially IPC (instructions per cycle) have considerably more real-world impact than simple clock speed. All things considered, total measurable speed keeps improving, while efficiency and price gets more and more reasonable. When evaluating processors for this list, all these performance aspects of the CPU have been taken into account to give you the best possible comparison between the fastest overall processors on the market today.
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition i7-990x 3.46 GHz Processor
A lot of the appeal of Intel's flagship is the simple bragging rights that come with having the most expensive processor on the consumer market. However, this can overshadow the fact that the i7-990X is truly a performance monster; with amazing speed (stock and especially overclocked) and six cores to make extremely short work of audio/video rendering and encoding, as well as any other threaded multitasking situations. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i7-2600K Quad Core Processor
Between the stock speed, the Turbo mode, and the nearly effortless overclocking, you'll have no troubled getting 4.0+ Ghz out of Intel's Core i7-2600k. What the specs may not fully show is how efficient and powerful this Sandy Bridge CPU really is; even last year's quad-core processors heat up and struggle to achieve what the 2600k can do on a single of its cores -- without breaking a sweat. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i7-980 Processor
Six cores of blazing LGA 1366 power make Intel's i7-980 one of the quickest ways to complete nearly any computing task. Offering most of the benefits of it's bigger 990x sibling -- i.e., the fastest consumer CPU available -- the 980 can handle everything from video rendering to multitasking servers to the latest extreme games (and probably all of these at once). Still, it's a bigger chunk of change than many will want to spend on last-year's technology, even if it can run circles around nearly anything else on the market. Read Full Review »
AMD FX-8150 8-Core Processor
An AMD Bulldozer processor broke the Guinness World Record for speed. Okay, so the FX-8150 doesn't reach anywhere near 8 Ghz (and most certainly don't try it with the stick cooler, if at all), but you won't find many CPUs (for any price) than can get into the 4 - 5 Ghz range so effortlessly. With great multi-threading capability, many users will be able to overlook some of the FX-8150's well-publicized shortcomings and get a fast CPU that will take AMD fans into the next generation. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition 3.2Ghz Processor
Even with the eight-core Zambezi CPUs on the scene, one of AMD's best contenders for 'speed king' is still unarguably the Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition. A hexacore monster priced within the reach of mere mortals, nothing that the competition offers has quite the same appeal. If you're willing to forgo the emerging next generation processors for now, there are very few options that can give you comparable performance results for the price of the 1090T. Read Full Review »
Best Overclocking CPU:
Overclocking has never been easier; both major manufacturers are making CPU overclocks more stable, more efficient, and more user-friendly than ever. Still, extreme overclocking still requires more specialized knowledge and equipment, and the processors that you'll see here will deliver the most benefits when used with effective cooling, sufficient power, and (most of all) an understanding of how to get the most from your components. From the record-setters to the biggest range (from stock clock to top stable speed), these five processors represent the greatest potential to tweak your CPU to the limits.
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition i7-990x 3.46 GHz Processor
This is an obvious choice; after all, for over six months, the 990X just kept setting the world record for overclocking (it would probably still hold it, if not for an AMD Bulldozer CPU that has yet to be made available for sale). If you're truly serious about overclocking, the sheer price of the 990X is going to be the only reason to even consider another option. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i7-2600K Quad Core Processor
Overclockers, the Intel i7-2600K draws a new line in the sand. The optimized efficiency and speed of the Sandy Bridge line means that even with stock cooling, you can rival the performance of even the mightiest of Intel's LGA 1366 processors. Even AMD's brand-new Bulldozer CPUs (with the technology that broke the overclocking record) struggle in vain to keep up with a 2600k. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i5-2500K Quad Core Processor
We all knew that Intel made great performing CPUs, but the i5-2500k shows that they can make an unlocked processor at a price low enough to make AMD lose plenty of sleep. While your 2500k will never break the Guinness record, you can push it (even with stock cooling) to compete in the 4 Ghz to 5 Ghz range -- in other words, to compete with processors costing three times as much. Read Full Review »
AMD FX-8150 8-Core Processor
AMD manages to maintain (although perhaps not advance) its overclocking reputation with the FX-8150, the top of its new Zambezi line of processors. Eight unlocked cores give you easily-attainable 4+ Ghz clock speeds with nothing but stock cooling, and aftermarket solutions promise even higher potential. Read Full Review »
AMD FX-8120 8-Core Processor
The Zambezi processors may not have provided the clear performance (or even price-versus-performance) win over Intel's Sandy Bridge that many AMD fans had been hoping for, but nobody is denying that they overclock very well. The FX-8120 can be pushed an extra 1 Ghz with almost no effort, so dedicated overclockers can conceivably get 5 Ghz speeds for a very competitive price. Read Full Review »
Best Intel Processor:
For well over a decade, Intel has earned its reputation as the leader in performance, as well as consistently beating long-time rival AMD in efficiency, cooling, and stability. Last year saw the simultaneous release of two separate product lines, for mainstream users (LGA 1156, also known as Socket H) and enthusiasts (LGA1366 or Socket B). This year, Intel began to roll out LGA 1155 (or Socket H2) Sandy Bridge processors, which put Intel into an excellent position to attract users interested in both overclocking and value-conscious overall performance. From record-setting clock speeds to efficient, stable workhorses, Intel's range offers a solution for nearly any PC need. The five processors listed here represent the best of both the current and cutting-edge CPU technology.
Intel Core i7-2600K Quad Core Processor
It's hard to beat Intel's i7-2600k. Although the relatively high price may give you some second thoughts, you really do get plenty to justify the price: a powerful, stable, efficient, and fast processor that meets cutting-edge needs -- and rewards serious overclocking like no other CPU on the market today. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i5-2500K Quad Core Processor
While the 2600k provides the best enthusiast overclocking, it's still enough of a price tag to put off many builders. The 2500k gives you most of the same speed and potential, but suits many more PC budgets, making it both an amazing performer and possibly the single best value of this generation of CPUs. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition i7-990x 3.46 GHz Processor
If you are one of the few who cannot have anything but the very best, you're going to choose Intel's i7-990X Extreme Edition for your CPU. There is no more prestigious performer on the market right now -- but you might want to keep in mind that you're paying several hundred dollars for bragging rights and a mere percentage increase; for less than half the price, the i7-2600k (or even a Phenom II X6) can provide comparable results in many applications. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i7 875K 2.93 Ghz Quad Core Processor
Yes, it's aging technology. But the i7-875K is an overclockers' dream, with speed and power that only needs a little know-how and maybe a bit of cooling assistance to provide performance to rival the vast majority of current-generation CPUs. If you're building a PC from scratch, the price and longevity of the processor may make you look elsewhere, but the 875K will get you a Socket H system that can still compete in the enthusiast class. Read Full Review »
Intel Core i5-2400 Quad Core Processor
No overclocking, and not even the highest-end processor in Intel's Sandy Bridge line -- so why is the i5-2400 one of the "best" Intel processors? Well, the speed and efficiency of the 2400 makes it a worthy competitor for any of the previous generation (including the mighty i7-900 series), the built-in features make it versatile enough for any PC purpose, and all while achieving a price-versus-performance ration that even AMD struggles to match. Read Full Review »
Best AMD Processor:
For several years now, the prevailing wisdom has been that AMD offers good processors 'for the price'. At this point, Intel is still struggling to come up with competing products that match AMD's cost-vs-performance 'sweet spots', and the best AMD processors can still be tweaked to give most Intel CPUs a significant challenge. There are certainly legions of AMD fans, especially amongst gamers and overclockers, who claim that Intel processors are both overrated and overpriced by comparison. In this list, we'll see the five AMD processors that are most likely to make you a believer.
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4 Ghz Processor
AMD's low-end and high-end processors alike provide good reasons to dismiss the competition. However, it's right in the middle, with the undeniably affordable yet astonishingly powerful Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, that AMD found its perfect 'sweet spot'. The simple performance-vs-price benefits of this processor suit any home or office PC purpose, and If you're an overclocker or gamer, you'll really need to work hard to think of a reason to not put the 965 BE on your short list. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X4 975 3.60 GHz Processor
AMD makes it very hard to choose. The difference between its Phenom II Black Edition 975 and 980 processors is a handful of dollars and one-tenth of one Ghz; I'm recommending the 975 simply because the 980 is (at the time of this writing) going for the same price as the six-core X6 1090T Black Edition -- that's two more cores for free, more or less, which is a big boost if you need them. And chances are you don't, so choose the 975. Read Full Review »
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AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition 3.2Ghz Processor
Buying the AMD Phenom II X6 is like paying for two cores and getting four more thrown in for free. Add a stock 3.2 Ghz speed that can be easily pushed toward 4.0+ Ghz territory (with some extra cooling support, of course) and you have a great wallet-friendly solution for gaming, video encoding, rendering, or any other enthusiast activities. More mainstream home and office PC builders (and probably many gamers too) could save even more by going with a Phenom II X4 without losing noticeable performance. Read Full Review »
AMD FX-8150 8-Core Processor
The eight-core, 3.6 Ghz FX-8150 is the powerhouse of AMD's new line of Zambezi processors, and provides a good amount of forward-looking, overclocking power for those who want to get in on the ground floor of the new AM3+ "Bulldozer" format. Gamers and other PC users who want to get the most for their money right now may still find the older AM3 format's Phenom II X6 or X4 a more flexible and cost-effective choice, however. Read Full Review »
AMD FX-8120 8-Core Processor
With eight cores (more or less) and plenty of overclocking potential, the next-generation FX-8120 shows AMD keeping up with Intel in many respects. For die-hard AMD fans and overclockers, it will be a close race between the 8120 and the i5-2500k, and regular users of heavily-threaded apps will see some clear wins over even costlier Intel processors. General-purpose PC builders and gamers may get a little more mileage out of older AMD or newer Intel CPUs, however. Read Full Review »
Best Budget Processor:
The term 'budget processor' might make you think that you're sacrificing essential power and performance. Nothing could be further from the truth! Each of the CPUs on this list are fast and versatile enough to make an excellent 'brain' for a modern PC, easily capable of satisfying the day-to-day needs of the vast majority of PC users. If you want to keep costs down, and your PC goals aren't excessively demanding on the hardware (extreme gaming, high-end multimedia, or constant multitasking), these budget processors are the perfect choice.
AMD Athlon II X4 640 3 GHz Quad Core Processor
If you are building a quad-core system on a budget, you simply must consider the AMD Athlon II X4 640. With 3Ghz speed out of the box (and considerably more if you want to delve into the overclocking potential), there is nothing else that compares for the price. Read Full Review »
AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz Black Edition Dual Core Processor
Countless gamers and tinkerers have experienced the thrill of using the AMD Phenom X2 555 Black Edition to challenge processors that are two or three times as expensive. Given the fact that AMD's Socket AM3 is still going strong (for the time being), there's no better way to get into serious overclocking on a modern PC for a minimal investment. Read Full Review »
AMD Athlon II X3 455 Triple Core Processor
While not as versatile as the L3 cache-equipped big brothers of the Phenom range, the AMD Athlon II X3 455 is still a serious contender for those seeking a budget-friendly processor for general-purpose home or server duties. The third core adds an extra threading dimension to a cost class likely to be dominated by dual-core contenders, and the potential of overclocking and unlocking that fourth core make it a fun and frugal CPU for budget tinkerers. Read Full Review »
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AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.20 GHz Processor
With all of the quad-core power and 3.2Ghz speed that the Phenom II X4 840 has to offer for the price, you may want to forgive AMD for playing a bit of a shell game with the naming. Forget that it's called a Phenom, and instead compare this CPU to other Athlons and even low-end Intel processors — you'll get a much better idea of how good a deal this really is. Read Full Review »
Intel Pentium G860 3 GHz Processor
Intel's only entry on this budget list is the powerful, cool, and efficient Pentium G860. Future compatibility is virtually guaranteed for this next-generation CPU, but the 'merely' dual-core architecture and lack of 'tweakability' means that you'll be far more likely to upgrade eventually rather than overclock now. Read Full Review »
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