The Best Low Cost Cpus

Finding the correct CPU for your needs is rarely simple. If you're on a budget it can be even more challenging. Fortunately, there are several awesome affordable processors to be had. If you understand what you need, you don't have to overspend. Here are a few of the nicest processors for an affordable build.

The cheapest processor on my list is the AMD Athlon II X3 455. For a mere 80 dollars, it's a steal. This is a 3.3GHz tri-core CPU. The socket used by this CPU is the AM3 design. Most socket AM3 motherboards will work with AMD's future Bulldozer processor, giving you a potential upgrade path. While this processor is starting to show it's age, you cannot ignore the awesome deal here.

The next CPU on the list is the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition. Running at 3.2GHz, this true four core CPU is fantastic. As with the Athlon II, this CPU runs in the AM3 socket, giving you an upgrade option. The extra core over the Athlon II will be very handy in the future and the architecture of the Phenom II is frankly better. The black edition in it's title means this processor has unlocked multipliers. Because of the unlocked multiplier, this CPU overclocks very well. At around 115 dollars, this is the best bang for the buck true four core around.

The next CPU I'd recommend comes in from Intel. Intel has been silent in the low end market for some time, so their prominence here is somewhat unusual. Their dual core i3 2100 clocks in at 3.1GHz. Avoid being tricked by the under whelming numbers there. This i3 has hyper threading, meaning in many situations it can multitask as well as a four core. The clock speed seems slow, but in fact this is the fastest processor I've listed so far. The i3 2100 runs on the 1155 socket, which should have compatibility with the future Ivy Bridge processors. Like the processors above, there is a good upgrade route here. The 125 dollar price tag on this is a tremendous value.

The final low cost CPU I'd like to talk about is the Intel i5 2500k. At around 225 dollars, it's questionable this belongs in a budget list. The reason I choose to include it, however, is that the i5 2500k actually competes with the the absolute nicest CPUs around and also has built in video. Not even the 1000 dollar 980x CPU can separate itself too much from the speed of the 2500k. At 3.7GHz in turbo mode, this is the highest clocked processor in the round up. Almost no CPUs can match it. Because it is a K model, it has an unlocked multiplier. With the lack of a multiplier lock, the 2500k overclocks very well. Because the 2500k also comes with built in video, the price here is nicer than it initially appears to be. If you can afford this, know that you're receiving top end speed for a mid range price.

So there you have it. If anybody ever tells you enthusiast processors can't be affordable, inform them otherwise. Any of these CPUs will give you solid performance in any applications or games. In addition to that, they all run on motherboards that offer future upgradability. I've never seen such a awesome time to build a low cost computer!