The Processor:
The processor plays a significant role in the following important aspects of your computer system:
- Performance: The processor is probably the most important single determinant of system performance in the PC. While other components also play a key role in determining performance, the processor's capabilities dictate the maximum performance of a system. The other devices only allow the processor to reach its full potential.
- Software Support: Newer, faster processors enable the use of the latest software. In addition, new processors such as the Pentium with MMX Technology, enable the use of specialized software not usable on earlier machines.
- Reliability and Stability: The quality of the processor is one factor that determines how reliably your system will run. While most processors are very dependable, some are not. This also depends to some extent on the age of the processor and how much energy it consumes.
- Energy Consumption and Cooling: Originally processors consumed relatively little power compared to other system devices. Newer processors can consume a great deal of power. Power consumption has an impact on everything from cooling method selection to overall system reliability.
- Motherboard Support: The processor you decide to use in your system will be a major determining factor in what sort of chipset you must use, and hence what motherboard you buy. The motherboard in turn dictates many facets of your system's capabilities and performance.
The top 10 processors:
1. AMD A8-7670K:
Processor Cores: 4
Thermal Design Power: 95W
Graphics Controller: Radeon R7 Series
Clock Speed: 3.6GHz
Processor Socket: FM2+
L2 Cache: 4MB
Great for gaming at medium resolutions
Decent multi-threaded performance
Relatively high TDP
Relatively poor single-threaded punch
If you are an AMD enthusiast (or like rooting for the underdog), these are interesting times. AMD is about to launch a series of processors based on a new architecture (Zen) which will obliterate the current generation of CPUs. So prices are falling accordingly. The A8-7670K remains one of the rare bright spots in AMD's lineup despite being more than two years old.
It is built on a newer 28nm manufacturing process which kind-of explains why it has a 95W TDP - thermal design power, or a part's share of your power supply's available Watts - despite a relatively high base and turbo clock speed (3.6GHz and 3.9GHz). Its graphics performance is where it shines thanks to an onboard GPU that is slightly more powerful than the Radeon R7 240 GPU (six compute units, 384 shader cores, 757MHz GPU clock speed).
2. Intel Xeon E5-2670:
Processor cores: 8
Thermal Design Power: 115W
Graphics Controller: None
Clockspeed: 2.6GHz
Processor socket: FCLGA1011
Cache: 20MB
Intel Xeon E5-2670
Blazingly fast for certain tasks
Cheap as chips
Power guzzler
Xeon motherboards are pricier
One of the best kept secrets in the world of computer hardware is that, every now and then, data centers around the world, operated by some of the biggest tech companies in the world, dump hundreds, if not thousands of processors as they migrate to newer, faster and more power efficient models.
When that happens, they usually end up on eBay or on Amazon, where you can buy them for a fraction of their price (usually one tenth). The Sandy-Bridge E5-2670 v1 is one of them; it's second-hand price is one-tenth of its retail price. Grab a pair of them to construct a workstation rig that would put Intel's current finest CPU to shame with a total of 16 cores, 32 threads and 40MB cache.
3. Intel Core i3-6100:
Processor Cores: 2
Thermal Design Power: 65W
Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 530
Clock Speed: 3.7GHz
Processor Socket: LGA 1151
L2 Cache: 2 x 256KB
Intel Core i3-6100
Cheapest Skylake chip
Supports faster memory
Best paired with newer board
If you want to do some heavy lifting but don't want to blow your savings on a piece of silicon, then check out this chip. The Intel Core i3-6100 is the cheapest Core processor based on the new Skylake architecture, and you don't have to fork out a fortune for it.
True, you'll want to pair it with a motherboard with a decent chipset (Z710) in order to run faster memory (2.66GHz), but that isn't necessary. It is not a K-model, and there are two SKUs, the 6100 (higher TDP and higher clock speed) and the 6100T (lower TDP, lower clock speeds) so make sure you choose the right one.
Using a 14nm node, it reaches 3.7GHz with a 65W TDP; its dual-core/4-thread configuration should make for a decent gaming rig, and the 4K-capable Intel HD 530 GPU is clocked at 350MHz. Oh and it should make a fairly good overclocker as well.
4. AMD Sempron 3850:
Processor Cores: 4
Thermal Design Power: 25W
Graphics Controller: AMD Radeon HD 8280
Clock Speed: 1.3GHz
Processor Socket: AM1
L2 Cache: 2MB
AMD Sempron 3850
Great value
Integrated graphics
Ideal for lower-power systems
One memory channel
At the other end of the spectrum is the Sempron 3850, one of AMD's cheapest quad-core processors. It sports a Kabini core and is built on a 28nm process, which explains why its TDP only reaches 25W, almost one seventh of the FX-9590.
Obviously, the fact that it runs at only 1.3GHz also helps a lot. Add in the fact that it comes with an integrated AMD Radeon HD 8280 GPU (basic, but decent) and you get something that's better than most Baytrail-based systems at least. The best part though has to be the price; it is cheap especially, as it includes the heat sink and the fan; that means that you can envisage getting a motherboard bundle for less than Intel's cheapest CPU. A shame that it has only one memory channel though.
5. Intel Pentium G4400:
Processor Cores: 2
Thermal Design Power: 65W
Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 510
Clock Speed: 3.3GHz
Processor Socket: FCLGA1151
L2 Cache:3MB
Good performer on a bargain
Very low TDP
May require new motherboard
Below average video performance
Its predecessor, the Pentium G3258, was one of the best options at the lower end of the market, and the G4400 is a shoe-in replacement offering Skylake architecture on a budget. The laws of supply and demand means that it is actually retailing for cheaper than the G3258 or the slower Celeron parts.
This chip sports 3MB of L2 cache, hits 3.3GHz on its dual-core, two-thread setup with a TDP of 54W. It doesn't have an unlocked multiplier like the G3258 though but its improved processor graphics (HD510) can support DirectX 12, 4K resolutions at 60Hz over DisplayPort which makes it great for a home theatre PC.
6. Intel Core i7-6700K:
Processor Cores: 4
Thermal Design Power: 91W
Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 530
Clock Speed: 4.0GHz
Processor Socket: LGA 1151
L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB
14nm goodness
Opens up overclocking
It's not a lot faster
Still just four cores
This is Skylake, Intel's sixth Core generation. The i7-6700K, it is the company's most powerful Skylake model set to replace the Broadwell-based desktop processors in the short term.
Here we've got a pretty powerful processor boasting four cores, eight threads, 8MB cache, a base clock speed of 4GHz, a turbo-boost of 4.2GHz and an Intel HD Graphics 530 subsystem inside. Overclocking is what may get some of us excited, however, as it's the distinguishing feature of the "K" models such as itself.
Pair that with a decent 100-series chipset, an oversized HSF and a couple of overclocker-friendly DDR4 memory modules, and watch it fly. And, although you'll want to pay close attention to that 91W TDP, 5.0GHz isn't a lofty goal with the 6700K.
7. Intel Core i5-4690K:
Processor Cores: 4
Thermal Design Power: 88W
Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 4600
Clock Speed: 3.5GHz
Processor Socket: LGA 1150
L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB
Approachable price
Easy to overclock
No hyper-threading
Fairly high TDP
There is a good reason why the Intel Core i5-4690K is among the best-selling processors on Amazon.
This Devil's Canyon part is one of the most, if not the most affordable K-series processor from Intel's Core range at $239 (£182, about AU$321) and as such can overclock fairly easily with modest efforts. It has a base frequency of 3.5GHz with many users reporting being able to hit 25% increase in speed using a decent aftermarket HSF.
The 4690K doesn't come with hyper-threading, but for the price it wasn't expected. The processor, bilt on the 22nm fabrication process, packs 6MB of L2 cache, an 88W TDP and even an Intel HD Graphics 4600 onboard GPU.
8. AMD FX-8320E:
Processor Cores: 8
Thermal Design Power: 95W
Graphics Controller: None
Clock Speed: 3.2GHz
Processor Socket: AM3+
L2 Cache: 4 x 2MB
Great price
Pretty high TDP
Easily ousted by Core i3
Old, 32nm process
Meet the AMD FX-8320E; this is one of the cheapest eight-core processors on the market.
Built on a mature 32nm node, it's clear why the FX-8320E has such a high TDP (95W). Then again, maybe it's not an unusual spec given the 3.2GHz clock speed. Plus, when needed, it can even boost all the way to 4GHz.
9. Intel Core i7-5820K
Processor Cores: 6
Thermal Design Power: 140W
Graphics Controller: None
Clock Speed: 3.3GHz
Processor Socket: LGA 2011-v3
L2 Cache: 6 x 256KB
Big L2 cache
OK price given performance
Requires high-performance socket
Very high TDP
With AMD ceding a bit of the limelight the past few years, Intel has gone back to releasing products that require a new socket on a quasi-yearly basis - great for sales, not great for customers. The Core i7-5820K, a Broadwell component, is no exception. It uses yet another socket aimed at the high-performance and server market.
What makes this little processor worth listing here is that even though it has all six cores intact, it isn't priced outrageously. it's really not a bad deal. Add in 15MB of cache, 12 threads and 28 PCI Express lanes, and you get a compelling compute solution. Shame about the TDP, a whopping 140W for a part that's clocked at 3.3GHz.
10. AMD Athlon x4-860K:
Processor Cores: 4
Thermal Design Power: 95W
Graphics Controller: None
Clock Speed: 3.7GHz
Processor Socket: FM2+
L2 Cache: 4MB
Highly overclockable
Cheap as chips
Still lags the competition
High TDP
Like most other AMD CPUs in this list, this is an old CPU which managed to remain relevant by combining decent performance with a superbly low price. Since this is an Athlon model, it doesn't come with a GPU. It does however offer an unlocked clock multiplier which means that it is ideal if you want to overclock it.
It has all the necessary ingredients to be at the core of a great entry level computer. It is cheap, has four cores clocked at 3.6GHz (4GHz turbo) and, thanks to its 28nm manufacturing process, has a rather reasonable 95W TDP. Expect it to roughly match a Skylake-based Core i3-6100T CPUs albeit with a far higher TDP (three times) but almost half the price.
SOURCE: From Internet
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