Tigerdirect has Intel i3-2100 for $115 - $25 rebate (rebate ends 8/11; limit 2 rebates per customer). This may be the lowest i3, being a Sandy Bridge, it has enough grunt to even outrun AMD Phenom II quad-cores (with the exception of multitasking). This would be ideal for HTPC's and basic rigs.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Id_22_I69-0210
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Id_22_I69-0210