Good Intel CPU for $100-ish

[ccm1270]

I'm about to build a new computer because you can only use a laptop with integrated graphics for so long and one of the components that I'm really struggling on is the CPU. I want to be able to upgrade to an i5 later on down the line, but I still want to have decent performance right now. Is there a good Intel CPU in this price range or is the Pentium G3258 my best bet? (And yes I'm well aware that AMD has fairly decent priced options in this price bracket)

[ZetZet]

Get an i3. Better in every way to be fair. Possibly better resale value too since it's not overclockable no one will think you ruined it somehow.

[Cactu]

Amd would honestly be a better option for this price point

But an i3 works

[Wingfan]

An i3 would be the way to go.

[Agazed]

i3-4160

[RazerZ]

Amd would honestly be a better option for this price point

But an i3 works

Why would AMD be a better option?

[Cactu]

Why would AMD be a better option?

I feel that they have better value at that price point

[Wingfan]

I feel that they have better value at that price point

Which AMD chip?

[wyattzx]

Which AMD chip?

FX-6300. 

[Cactu]

FX-6300.

Yup

[ZetZet]

I feel that they have better value at that price point

Feeling is of little value. i3 is as powerful as fx6300 possibly even faster in some applications. The only drawback that processor has is hard bans on dual cores which seem to be going away again.

 

FX-6300. 

Way more power hungry, needs more expensive supporting motherboard, slower without overclocks, comparable with, needs cooling.

[Wingfan]

 

 

Way more power hungry, needs more expensive supporting motherboard, slower without overclocks, comparable with, needs cooling.

 

This ...but the power hungry part ? doesnt really matter to most people

[RazerZ]

I'd go with any Haswell i3 at this price point. Best option out there. Unless you want to look for a used 2500k on a place like reddit hardware swap. They go for around $120 there.

[Cactu]

Feeling is of little value. i3 is as powerful as fx6300 possibly even faster in some applications. The only drawback that processor has is hard bans on dual cores which seem to be going away again.

 

Way more power hungry, needs more expensive supporting motherboard, slower without overclocks, comparable with, needs cooling.

The quad core makes a big difference and the fx-6300 or 6350 can achieve higher overclocks. Although I do agree for upgradability Intel is the way to go

[ZetZet]

This ...but the power hungry part ? doesnt really matter to most people

It's just that the power hungry part impacts the motherboard since you need VRM cooling and better power supply potentially. 

Forgot to mention upgrade path on AMD is lulz.

 

The quad core makes a big difference and the fx-6300 or 6350 can achieve higher overclocks. Although I do agree for upgradability Intel is the way to go

It does, which is why i3 has HT

http://techbuyersguru.com/haswellgaming5.php

i3 is great.

[Cactu]

I'd go with any Haswell i3 at this price point. Best option out there. Unless you want to look for a used 2500k on a place like reddit hardware swap. They go for around $120 there.

Yeah, at this price point it's either two fast cores or 4 medium cores (i3 bs fx 6300 and 6350)

[Wingfan]

The quad core makes a big difference and the fx-6300 or 6350 can achieve higher overclocks. Although I do agree for upgradability Intel is the way to go

This CPU needs to be OC'd to perform 'well'. That means $ for a cooler, just took it out of the price range, noty to mention the board would be more expensive to OC with

[Cactu]

It's just that the power hungry part impacts the motherboard since you need VRM cooling and better power supply potentially. 

Forgot to mention upgrade path on AMD is lulz.

Yea, Intel for upgradability any day

[Cactu]

This CPU needs to be OC'd to perform 'well'. That means $ for a cooler, just took it out of the price range, noty to mention the board would be more expensive to OC with

Ah very true but the board wouldn't have to be that much mor expensive to make a big difference

[ZetZet]

Ah very true but the board wouldn't have to be that much mor expensive to make a big difference

but it does. The cheapest motherboard I would run amd chip is like 90$. Intel I would run on 50$ mobo and not care.

[Cactu]

but it does. The cheapest motherboard I would run amd chip is like 90$. Intel I would run on 50$ mobo and not care.

But then what about overclocks

[ZetZet]

But then what about overclocks

i3 can't be overclocked. non K i5 can't be overclocked. xeons can't be overclocked. All great cpu's. I run a xeon on a cheap ass mobo myself.

[Cactu]

i3 can't be overclocked. non K i5 can't be overclocked. xeons can't be overclocked. All great cpu's. I run a xeon on a cheap ass mobo myself.

Well you have made a very reputable argument but now I think it is all up to the preference of the creator of this topic

[Faceman]

I3.

Its a very powerful processor, even more powerful than FX6/8/9 in a lot of games. Doesn't need to be overclocked and you are the right platform for an upgrade to an i5/i7/Xeon.

[vembutech]

Choose AMD FX-6300 processor.