Best overall CPU for ~$100

[johnnydrinkawater]

Thanks and sorry in advance if this has been covered 4,000 times!

I'm looking for a CPU around the $100 price point, eventually to build a system around a 430W PSU that I just bought for my old system.

My first reaction is go with an E8200 (microcenter $99) with an Asus P5Q SE. But I know in the past AMD generally offered more performance for the money.

Any suggestions as to where I can find the best value? Deals?

 

[totalnoob]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680

 

[LoneNinja]

I know it's not a dual core, but I would recommend the Athlon II X4 620 at $99.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

I know it's not a dual core, but I would recommend the Athlon II X4 620 at $99.

Number of cores isn't too important, just looking for best performance for the money.

This computer will be used for light gaming and heavy scientific software usage (Matlab, Simulink, 3D function plotting, CAD).

 

[Acanthus]

Honestly, my last few E5300s have clocked to 3.6ghz on stock voltage and the stock cooler, and thats with garbage motherboards.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

Honestly, my last few E5300s have clocked to 3.6ghz on stock voltage and the stock cooler, and thats with garbage motherboards.

What are your thoughts on the E8200 versus the E5300 versus AMD equivalents?

Seems like Intel has lots of OC overhead at 65W dissipation (versus 80-95W AMD equivalents).

 

[21stHermit]

heavy scientific software usage (Matlab, Simulink, 3D function plotting, CAD).

If those applications are multi-threaded, then you'll get more bang/$ with AMD. If not the higher clock of an Intel will win. Generally AMD wins the $ equation and Intel the power (watts) equation. Another factor, AMD MB's are generally a good bit cheaper. Lots of good choices.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

Okay, thinking this combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.303840

 

[boomhower]

If your doing heavy matlab and CAD you want a quad.

 

[Cogman]

Another vote to go for a quad.

Matlab and other scientific programs like quad cores.

 

[MalVeauX]

Thanks and sorry in advance if this has been covered 4,000 times!

I'm looking for a CPU around the $100 price point, eventually to build a system around a 430W PSU that I just bought for my old system.

My first reaction is go with an E8200 (microcenter $99) with an Asus P5Q SE. But I know in the past AMD generally offered more performance for the money.

Any suggestions as to where I can find the best value? Deals?

Heya,

As others pointed out, the AMD Propus 620 (2.6ghz) Quadcore is only $99 and is probably your best bet right now. It can be overclocked too, quite a bit, which only makes it even more worthy of that $99.

Alternatively, if you must buy a new system from scratch (ie, you don't already have an AMD capable board), then the i5 series from Intel is actually not that much more expensive. Or, if you're willing to wait, the new i5 and i3 series from Intel are coming and they're very cheap (they released their price road map, some are near $100). But the motherboards are more expensive in general.

Okay, thinking this combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.303840

I'd still go for a Quad over that Dualcore.

Very best,

 

[cbn]

I would go AM3 over LGA 775.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

Thanks for the help guys, lots to digest.

 

[BD231]

Spend the extra nineteen bucks and get a phenom II x3, that's the best value out there right now IMO.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Okay, thinking this combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.303840

This gets my vote.

This Asus 785g/Phenom 550 combo will save you $30.

I've got a Gigabyte 785g with an under-volted and unlocked Phenom 550 --- dropped total system power at load by 30%+ (to 129w) when I undervolted.

0.832v at idle (804MHz) and 1.184v at load





--

 

[ShawnD1]

I know it's not a dual core, but I would recommend the Athlon II X4 620 at $99.

I have one of these and I think it's a great processor. I would buy the same processor again if I was going to build another computer.

 

[iluvdeal]

Any suggestions as to where I can find the best value? Deals?

If you have a Fry's near you, they often have really good cpu and motherboard combo deals.

 

[Decembermouse]

Get the Athlon X4.

 

[nyker96]

Get the Athlon X4.

+1 for the venerable x4 620, very well positioned for 100 bucks.

 

[Rifter]

Get the Athlon X4.

This X2, there just is not a better CPU for $100

intel cannot compete on the low end, kinda like how AMD cant compete on the high end.

 

[Dadofamunky]

I know it's not a dual core, but I would recommend the Athlon II X4 620 at $99.

First message on your post says it all. You can't possibly go wrong with this recommendation. It's incredible what $100 will buy you these days. Truly, a Golden Age of CPUs. Intal's stuff is great too, just a bit pricier (though compared to years ago that's a very relative thing).

 

[Fox5]

Number of cores isn't too important, just looking for best performance for the money.

This computer will be used for light gaming and heavy scientific software usage (Matlab, Simulink, 3D function plotting, CAD).

Uh, if you're doing scientific software and modeling, how could you not go with a quad core? Those programs eat cores for breakfast.

You could also consider the Athlon x3 triple cores if you want a bit more mhz at the expense of 1 core.

Or go up to $130 and get a phenom II 925 from zipzoomfly in a combo deal.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

Uh, if you're doing scientific software and modeling, how could you not go with a quad core? Those programs eat cores for breakfast.

You could also consider the Athlon x3 triple cores if you want a bit more mhz at the expense of 1 core.

Or go up to $130 and get a phenom II 925 from zipzoomfly in a combo deal.

Well, what about unlocking the X2 550?

 

[Hey Zeus]

I3 520 will be out next Thursday and will be 87 Dollars

 

[Fox5]

Well, what about unlocking the X2 550?

Unlocking is never guaranteed, and not all motherboards can do it. However, given how few Phenom II X2's and X3's are on the market at this point, I'd imagine AMD's manufacturing has gotten pretty good, which means either:
A. The X2's that exist are just there to fill a niche and are fully functional quads.
B. The X2's that exist are the x% of phenom II's that are really hosed.