upgrading a couple computers

[Sniper82]

My sons have Core 2 Duos and I have a couple spare 1155 motherboards. I really don't want to spend $150+ for i5's each because I think thats to much. I'm not familiar with any 1155 stuff lower than i5's. Is there anything cheaper that is worthy upgrade from the Core 2 Duo? They do some gaming.

 

[Denithor]

There are i3 and Pentium and Celeron chips below the i5 chips. In that order, they get worse. I certainly wouldn't drop below i3 if they're gaming on these machines, you lose the hyperthreading below i3 and these days games actually take advantage of >2 cores if available (even if not true cores, they still help).

EDIT: I'd suggest this model if buying new. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116773

Any i3 from the Sandy/Ivy generations should be a nice upgrade over a C2D chip.

 

[Blue_Max]

I'd suggest grabbing some used i3 or i5 processors - there's great deals to be had! An i3-2100 is still a dandy processor and is $50 well spent!

I grabbed an i5-2400 for a lousy $80. 😉

 

[VirtualLarry]

There are i3 and Pentium and Celeron chips below the i5 chips. In that order, they get worse. I certainly wouldn't drop below i3 if they're gaming on these machines, you lose the hyperthreading below i3 and these days games actually take advantage of >2 cores if available (even if not true cores, they still help).

EDIT: I'd suggest this model if buying new. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116773

Any i3 from the Sandy/Ivy generations should be a nice upgrade over a C2D chip.

I agree with that choice of CPU. Good chip. I presume that the OP's systems in question use discrete graphics. The onboard IGP on the 3240 isn't good for gaming.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Hard to beat an FX8320 + free motherboard if you have a Microcenter nearby :
http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx

FX8320 + Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 for $119.99 + taxes.