Older CPUs That Still Perform?

[MEC-777]

Alrighty, I'm working on a new and somewhat secretive project (build log will be posted soon). Please don't go recommending new parts because it's out of the question, way above the intended budget and defeats the purpose of this project.

 

What I'm looking for is suggestions for the fastest gaming CPUs within the last 6-7 years. Nothing newer than Sandybridge and nothing AMD. I'm thinking Core 2 Quads and 1st gen Core i series mainly, but I'm not overly familiar with these CPU line-ups. I'm researching these as much as I can in the mean time, but I'd like to hear from you guys what you've used or which ones you know that would still perform decently for gaming today.

 

Why am I looking for older stuff? Simply put; I'm looking for the best [gaming] performance for the absolute lowest cost. Kind of like what Linus and Slick are doing with their latest budget gaming build-off video series.

 

So, any thoughts/suggestions?

 

*EDIT* Actually not ruling out AMD - depends what I can find for the right price.

 

Thanks,

 

MEC.

[Speedbird]

Core 2 Quad Q8200. I'd say it performs like an FX4300. I highly recommend overclocking it.

[Majestic]

i5-750/760 is still very good.

[Swndlr]

if you consider sandy bridge old enough and if you could find one for the right price, then the 2600k and 2700k are monsters

generally they can be found on ebay for like ~$100 USD, and good motherboards dont go for much, at all.

[zappian]

PHENOM II.

 

Better IPC than FX.

[TomvanWijnen]

The Intel Core 2 quad q6600 also is a pretty good performer, right? I got mine for €15, so they can be pretty cheap.

[FruitBasketSilex]

900 series i7

[Benielishackove]

lol im using Pentium e2140 o.c 2.03ghz cant complain os windows 10 9926 loads in about 4-6sec with the evo 850 250gb ssd my ram is even underclocked to 1004mhz so the MB and CPU to work but IE browsing video sucks (facebook loading) loading time of games (like Heroes of newearth) lets say on an 4th gen I3 is x3 faster but I think my cpu is from 07  lmao

[MEC-777]

Yeah, it's not easy to track down these types of parts for cheap. Ideally Sandy Bridge would awesome if I can find it for the right price.

 

Just stopped in at a small, local private computer parts/repair shop. Guy tried to sell me a Core 2 Quad with an H61 motherboard...  :huh: Yeah, that'll work... And to top it off they wanted about $180 for the CPU and $90 for the mobo. I just walked away. >_<

 

Best best I think will be to grab a cheap tower off kijiji or craigslist that has the CPU/mobo I need and toss the rest. That's the only place I've seen these parts reasonably cheap. Though I did find one guy at another small shop willing to part with a Core 2 Quad and brand new mobo for about $150. Might try to haggle him down a bit - at least he knew what he was talking about. lol.

 

Thanks for the suggestions folks.

[dandrix]

Kinda stupid to exclude AMD since Phenom II are still decent for gaming and easier to come by for lower price than decent Intels from that time.

[Benielishackove]

this is made in Israel maybe u will like http://www.solid-run.com/products/cubox-i-mini-computer/ maybe LINUS will review it lol would be awesome

[Jarsky]

The E8400/Q6600 (LGA775) i7-950/980 (LGA1366) or i5-750/i7-920 (LGA1156)

[harrynowl]

From my X5450 @4.55Ghz I got 5.44 in Cinebench R11.5

 

In perspective that's margnially slower than a very lightly (250mhz) overclocked 2500K http://hwbot.org/submission/2600631_kimir_cinebench_r11.5_core_i5_2500k_5.58_points

 

although to get that kind of clock 24/7 would be very hard, and it guzzles power like an amd fx.

[StarFire]

Core i5 750

@Jack.EXE's favorite.

I wouldnt reccomend ruling out the Phenom IIs either, They preform similarly to the C2Qs.

[david cassar]

LGA 771 xeons can be socket modded easily to run on LGA 775. They are basically higher binned core 2 quads and are very cheap nowadays. Performance of the Xeon e5450(q9650) is actually better than the fx 4300. Other good old CPUs are phenoms and 1st gen i5s.

[typographie]

i5-750/760 is still very good.

 

Still using mine, and still happy enough with it's performance that I plan on keeping it until Skylake. Very good purchase.

[Kherm]

i7 990X is still a beast, along with the Core 2 Duo QX9775

[MEC-777]

Kinda stupid to exclude AMD since Phenom II are still decent for gaming and easier to come by for lower price than decent Intels from that time.

 

Not stupid. I just prefer Intel.

 

I'm aware the Phenom II were strong at the time, but they are hard to come by (where I live anyways). Of course, money talks. If I can find the right deal, I may jump on a PII 9XX x4 BE...

 

this is made in Israel maybe u will like http://www.solid-run.com/products/cubox-i-mini-computer/ maybe LINUS will review it lol would be awesome

 

Too bad I can't plug my full-sized graphics card into that. Also, I don't think 1 or 2GB ram will be enough for what I need.

[NakedChicken]

I had an i7 860, worked great I only upgraded because Arma is single thread hungry. Any of the first gen i7 800,900, or i5 600 series cpus are still pretty solid. You can get a i7 920 on ebay for ~$50. 

[MEC-777]

Just found a Phenom II x4 955 BE with an ASUS M4A79T Deluxe mobo for $70. It looks to be in like new condition as well, going by the pics. Best deal that I've seen thus far by a long shot. Might have to jump on it...

[Anarchyz11]

Was using a Core2Quad Q9500 up until a few months ago.  Performed about as well as an A10-7000 series APU. 

 

 

Realistically, the "sweet spot" would be a Sandy Bridge, as an i5 of that age can usually be had for a really low price and still perform well on modern games.

[MEC-777]

Was using a Core2Quad Q9500 up until a few months ago.  Performed about as well as an A10-7000 series APU. 

 

 

Realistically, the "sweet spot" would be a Sandy Bridge, as an i5 of that age can usually be had for a really low price and still perform well on modern games.

 

Would love to go Sandy, but most people seem to know the value and are holding out with higher prices.

 

Just looking at some benchmarks, looks like Sandy was the last real significant jump in CPU performance in the last 5 years +. That also seems to be where AMD started to fall back.

[Majestic]

Still using mine, and still happy enough with it's performance that I plan on keeping it until Skylake. Very good purchase.

 

upgraded mine to haswell.

[JustCallMeVlad]

X58 chips are still faster than Fx chips of today. Problem is finding a good X58 board

[Anarchyz11]

Would love to go Sandy, but most people seem to know the value and are holding out with higher prices.

 

Just looking at some benchmarks, looks like Sandy was the last real significant jump in CPU performance in the last 5 years +. That also seems to be where AMD started to fall back.

Yeah sandys are still really effective, not just given their age, but even still based on their secondhand pricepoint for modern games.

 

It's surprising they're still so expensive where you're looking, I've seen i5-2500k go for sale at around $100 on secondhand sites.