Opinion time: What is the "best value" in a CPU today?

[dud]

I am hoping to get some community feedback on what the community feels is the best value in a CPU (either brand) as of today. "Best value" CPU is defined as the CPU that represents the most value from a price/performance perspective. The CPU may not be the fastest nor the least expensive ... but represents the biggest "bang" for the buck out there.

Feedback on why you feel that CPU is the best value would be appreciated.

 

[Yuriman]

I'd say a Pentium G630, FX-6300, and 3570K are generally the best value in their respective price brackets.

The G630 is only a little shy of an i3 clock for clock and lacks hyperthreading, it's no slouch for ~$60.

The FX-6300 beats the i3 in value because it's unlocked.

The 3570K and FX-83xx are priced pretty competitively but single-threaded performance and lower heat/power consumption sway me toward Intel's offering.

 

[blckgrffn]

I think the A8-5600k is a fair value if you can drop having a discrete card in the system.

It's not for everyone, but a very good "compromise" CPU - and the A75 chipset is pretty well equipped for the prices you can find them at.

 

[Shephard]

what about the Celeron Sandy Bridge?

I thought that was best bang for buck CPU?

It can play 1080p videos flawless and low power consumption. Fast enough to do any regular computer stuff. With a video card it can game well.

 

[SocketF]

AthlonII 750K

Cheap, unlocked, 4 threads and all instruction sets (Pentiums lack AVX and AES).

 

[hokies83]

229$ 3770k or 169$ 3570k

 

[Shephard]

229$ 3770k or 169$ 3570k

I just got my 3570k for 170 after taxes and shipping.

 

[crazymonkeyzero]

Agree with Yuriman for the most part. Best Value(s) imo @ regular prices (not discounted BF prices)...

Enthusiast Level: Intel Core i7 3930k (compared to i7 3960/70x)

Mainstream/High End: Intel Core i5 3570k

Entry Level: AMD FX-6300 & Intel Core i3-3225 (its $5 more than the 6300 and better performance at stock, for those who won't OC)

Budget: Intel Pentium G630

 

[VirtualLarry]

I really think Trinity requires an honorable mention in that list.

 

[Madpacket]

A8-5600k

 

[DominionSeraph]

Phenom II X4 955 at $82.

 

[Torn Mind]

Celerons provide "good enough" for basic tasks for only 45 bucks. The same thing applies to the lowest Pentiums when you buy from an OEM.

 

[Arkaign]

Got a used Xeon 1230 for $75 for a buddy, used always seems to have the best value imho if you are patient and look hard enough.

New, well that totally depends on what your needs are. For a WHS box, hell anything will do almost, for a heavy gamer with dual 7970GE's, then anything short of i7-K is a bit of a weak link.

 

[Iceshot]

FX-6300. For $140 it's the best "bang for the buck" going on a new cpu and I have yet to hear of anyone not getting theirs overclocked to at least 4.5 (provided they have proper hardware and know what they are doing). Quite pleased with mine.

 

[NTMBK]

AthlonII 750K

Cheap, unlocked, 4 threads and all instruction sets (Pentiums lack AVX and AES).

This.

 

[Gryz]

I just got my 3570k for 170 after taxes and shipping.

Lucky bastards. Here in the Netherlands all webshops offer the 3570K for 210 euros. That's 270 USD. Our prices include 21% V.A.T. But still, the difference is ridiculous.

I bought mine in April. And the price didn't drop a single euro since. (So I am happy I bought mine on release day).

 

[hokies83]

Lucky bastards. Here in the Netherlands all webshops offer the 3570K for 210 euros. That's 270 USD. Our prices include 21% V.A.T. But still, the difference is ridiculous.

I bought mine in April. And the price didn't drop a single euro since. (So I am happy I bought mine on release day).

buy a used one from the USA shipping will be 15$ get shipper to mark box as gift and the value of gift 50$

u could get one for 180usd that way.

 

[CakeMonster]

If you have one or more friends who frequent sites like this, the best value is getting their 1 generation old stuff for a friendly price so they don't have to bother with ebay or craigslist. That's how I get rid of my old stuff effortlessly. You can't beat the typical used price minus 20-30% for value.

 

[MustangSVT]

$99 2500k was the best damn value of the century.

 

[blckgrffn]

If you have one or more friends who frequent sites like this, the best value is getting their 1 generation old stuff for a friendly price so they don't have to bother with ebay or craigslist. That's how I get rid of my old stuff effortlessly. You can't beat the typical used price minus 20-30% for value.

Haha, hilarious.

And true.

 

[DominionSeraph]

AthlonII 750K

Cheap, unlocked, 4 threads and all instruction sets (Pentiums lack AVX and AES).

Hmmm... interesting. Doesn't seem to be released in the States yet, and I can't find any good reviews of Trinity's CPU performance.

 

[JerYnkFan]

$99 2500k was the best damn value of the century.

How the heck did you do that? I thought mine at 159.99 was a steal.

 

[MustangSVT]

How the heck did you do that? I thought mine at 159.99 was a steal.

microcenter had a store clearing crazy sale. but i missed it

 

[Roland00Address]

AthlonII 750K
Cheap, unlocked, 4 threads and all instruction sets (Pentiums lack AVX and AES).

If you can find said cpu

 

[dud]

microcenter had a store clearing crazy sale. but i missed it

And isn't Microcenter a small "niche" retailer with about 2 dozen store? Most MC and Fry's deals are unavailable to the vast majority of buyer because they have limited B&M stores.