Because a computer can not be functional without a processor, and that it follows certain requirements, including the type of motherboard, we must guide you in choosing the processor that meets your needs. We will focus our buying guide here by splitting the processors into four main categories: entry, middle, high and ultra high-end.
For the entry level, we will processors whose price is less than 100 euros, while we targeting the range of 120-160 euros for mid-range. In terms of high-end processors, we will remain around 200-300 euros, while the selection ultra high-end will not know about it practically no financial limit. And yes… it is good to be rich!
A processor for less than 100 euros
Our selection entry level
We said right from the introduction, the entry-level processors on lies we believe around one hundred euros. A sector which is almost exclusively the preserve of AMD, the cost of the Intel platform as a whole higher. It is important to know that if AMD and Intel come to propose processors at a rate roughly similar, the price of motherboards it is appropriate not quite equal, since we often pay more for at Intel to concoct a platform for entry-level roughly appropriate. We retain three processors in our selection:
Note: Rates listed are those processors sold naked, without fan then. They should choose the version box fan to enjoy the standard and the extended warranty. Reverse of the Medal, processors box versions are expensive.
AMD Sempron LE-2100: the office first dual-core version!
Hard to fine mouth before the Sempron LE-2100 AMD, which is proposed at lower rates than fifty euros. Despite an appellation no curious, Sempron is a model double-heart with an operating frequency of 1.8 GHz and 256 KB of cache second level by heart. Compatible with 64-bit instructions, Sempron in this format Socket AM2 and requires DDR2 memory.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 +: all field office / games
For a budget of just over 80 euros, we suggested several months ago Athlon 64 X2 5200 +. Since then, AMD has widely and massively reduced its tariffs, which leads us to offer you, with a budget equivalent Athlon 64 X 6000 +. Double-heart, this processor in this format Socket AM2 and is clocked at 3 GHz (400 MHz or better than the Athlon 64 X2 5200 +). It includes 1 MB cache second level by heart and can handle 64-bit instructions and instructions SSE3. Engraved on 90nm, this processor will be for lack of warm significantly, at least more than the latest models to Intel 45nm.
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2220: probably the most costaud!
Just recently, the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 is, as its name suggests, a dual-processor heart. Also engraved on 65nm and logically proposed format Socket LGA775, the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 advantage of the Core architecture processors Core 2 Duo. If the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 inherited the Core architecture, it naturally loses many of its characteristics as the cache second level is reduced from 6 MB for the best Core 2 Duo only 1 MB for the two hearts.
Compatible SSE3 instructions and integrating the 64-bit Pentium Dual-Core E2220 adopts a system bus of 800 MHz (against 1 066 or 1 333 MHz for the best Core 2) and displays an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz. Faced with the Pentium Dual-Core E2180, the frequency increases still 600 MHz. Offering performance significantly higher than the Athlon 64 X2 most advanced processor displays thermal characteristics and potential for overclocking much better.
A processor between 120 and 160 euros
Our selection midrange
On the processor mid-range offering of Intel resumed all its rights even to the point of excluding AMD. Here, the issue of cost of the platform is no longer really in favor of AMD, the two smelters that match while the Core 2 Duo allows Intel to take advantage on the field performance, the overclocking and consumption ...
Intel Core 2 Duo E8200: lightning overclocking
Based on the Core architecture, the Core 2 Duo E8200 incorporates the key features of Core 2 Duo processors while benefiting from the recent refinements Penryn architecture and Engraving to 45nm. Thus, the amount of second level cache is here increased to 6 MB while the bus system is set at 1 333 MHz. A 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo E8200 presents a potential for overclocking quite exceptional as he integrates Intel SSE4 instructions for particular operations significantly accelerated video encoding, subject to compatibility of software.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600: a quad-hearts almost affordable
While the Core 2 Quad Q6600 Intel began seriously dating, it remains a quad-core processor inescapable part of its tariff. Admittedly, the Core 2 Quad Q6600 is engraved on 65nm certainly its bus system is limited to 1 066 MHz when the latest Intel processors benefit from a FSB 1 333 MHz, certainly SSE4 instructions are not the party. However, less than 160 euros TTC, the Core 2 Quad Q6600 remains a very good business until his successor, Core 2 Quad Q9300, track its rate decrease.
AMD Phenom 9550: The other quad-core
Three euros! Three euros, is the gap that separates the Phenom X4 9550 AMD's Phenom X3 8750, the lowest price comparator, even though one of the two processors is quad-core and the other not has three hearts. With a fee schedule with gaps as low, it is difficult to recommend the Phenom X3 even though the quad-core model costs only three euros more. We therefore orient the Phenom X4 9550 whose four cores are clocked at 2.2 GHz.
Given the availability of Intel, the Phenom 9550 is certainly not faster or more efficient. However, it is relatively inexpensive for a quad-core processor. But beware, this model and consumes relatively hot as always engraved in 65nm when it comes to the socket AM2 +. Good news, however, the famous bug TLB is finally resolved with the series of 50 Phenom.
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