Most (universally) overclockable cheap CPUs

[marienbad]

Hi all -- I've been away from the computer scene for a while (see my signature link). I've discovered the awesomeness of http://www.cpubenhmark.net and I think many people would like to see the community's answers to this question:

Which current low-cost (<$100) CPU models are highly overclockable on the widest variety of motherboards?

 

[Rhoxed]

for quad core only the Athlon II's would fit that bill- able to OC near 4ghz

for triple cores, again AMD either the phenom II 710 or one of the Athlon II derivatives (intel doesnt make tri's)

for dual cores i would say intel e6500 or e5X00

 

[Ben90]

I agree with the above, but would like to add another:
The AMD Phenom II x2s and athlon II x2s. These are definitely more of a gamble (and require certain mobos to unlock their full performance), but if you can manage an unlock, its nearly impossible to beat their price/performance ratio. Although semi-rare i believe, I have seen an Athlon II x2 unlock into a full PII x4/6mb cache +OC

 

[Ayah]

Phenom II 550 imo. You might be able to unlock 1 or 2 more cores, or none at all. But it should still overclock like a beast.

 

[aigomorla]

for quad core only the Athlon II's would fit that bill- able to OC near 4ghz

for triple cores, again AMD either the phenom II 710 or one of the Athlon II derivatives (intel doesnt make tri's)

for dual cores i would say intel e6500 or e5X00

+1

 

[cbn]

Good points about unlocking cores on AMD products.

What chipset/southbridges are needed for accomplishing this?

Do all boards with such chipsets have ACC (which is needed for unlocking).

 

[Markfw]

Good points about unlocking cores on AMD products.

What chipset/southbridges are needed for accomplishing this?

Do all boards with such chipsets have ACC (which is needed for unlocking).

Please read the other 100 posts that cover this subject.

 

[cbn]

Please read the other 100 posts that cover this subject.

http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/535501-amd-phenom-ii-core-unlocking-guide.html

I found a good guide right here with a comprehensive list of mobos capable of unlocking.

 

[nyker96]

if you refering to the best bang for buck for under 100 probably the x4 620s. I personally just oc mine to about 3,25 but it can definitely go higher with more juice, but considering amd cpu's very power hungry, I don't see the performance/watt advantage high oc on this amd cpu would bring. Intel is a different story. but in short you can't beat the value of a x4 for under 100.