Well, this article aims to show some strong CPUs with affordable price that can run newest games with good settings.
A few things you need to know when choosing a good CPU for gaming:
* In order to get optimal performance in modern gaming, you need at least a strong a quad-core CPU like Intel Core-i5 3350P. However, if you are planning to play new games on 720P resolution, then a 3.0 Ghz dual-core or 3.0 Ghz triple-core processor is still enough for you.
* If budget is your concern, getting an AMD processor is always the best idea.
* Make sure the CPU you choose will not bottleneck with other components, like graphics card for example. Obviously, you can't optimize the performance of a good mid-range graphics card like GTX 650 Ti on a weak dual-core processor.
* Most quad-core processors consume a lot of power, so make sure your computer power supply is strong enough to handle the CPU you want to get.
Let's go to the main topic, these are some cheap processors but still good for gaming:
A. Intel Core-i5 3350P Quad-Core Processor 3.1 Ghz
The most obvious thing you may notice about Intel Core-i5 3350P is its max power consumption. With 69W TDP, you can run the CPU properly inside a computer with 300W power supply. Note that you need a better power supply to build a good gaming PC.
Unfortunately this CPU doesn't have integrated GPU, so you need a strong graphics card for optimal gaming experience.
Specifications
Socket Type: LGA 1155
L3 Cache : 6MB
Max TDP: 69W
Core Name: IVY BRIDGE
Click here to buy Intel Core-i5 3350P from amazon
B. Intel Q8300 Core 2 Quad Processor 2.5 GHz
Just like the other quad core processor series by Intel, this CPU is good to handle multitasking environments and Intel has also featured this processor with Intel Advanced Smart Cache, thus you can get improved performance.
The Intel Q8300 Core 2 Quad is great choice if you are looking for inexpensive CPU to build a gaming computer.
Specifications
Socket Type: LGA 775
L2 Cache : 4MB
Max TDP: 95W
Core Name: Yorkfield
C. AMD Quad-Core A8-Series APU A8-6600K
A8-6600K "Richland" processor has similar specs with APU A8-5600K "Trinity", fortunately, the clock rate of A8-6600K is slightly faster then A8-5600K.
The word "K" at 6600K shows that this processor has an unlocked multiplier, which means this CPU is overclocking-ready for its users.
At the time of operation, the AMD A6-6600K will run at 3.9Ghz clockspeed, but thanks to AMD Turbo Core technology, A8-6600K will operate at 4.1 Ghz clock when loaded with Multithreaded applications. Meanwhile, when this CPU handles "light" application, this processor can reach the maximum limit up to 4.2GHz Turbo Core.
Although A8-6600K is placed in the low end CPU, its performance is able to match or even beat AMD "Trinity" A10-5800K. Well, if you are tight on budget and don't want to invest more money to get an external graphics card, then this processor is the best choice for you. It's powered with Radeon HD 8570D, and strong enough to handle new games with medium and high settings, on 720p resolutions of course.
Specifications
Socket Type: FM2
L2 Cache : 4MB
Max TDP: 100W
Core Name: Richland
Integrated Graphics: Radeon HD 8570D
Click here to buy AMD Quad-Core APU A8-6600K from amazon
D. AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300
The AMD FX-6300 6-Core Processor is really ideal especially if you want build a cheap AMD computer for gaming. Well, just like the video you can see above, this CPU is quite strong to handle Grand Theft Auto V on high settings when it's paired with GTX 750 Ti.
Surprisingly, the FX-6300 can almost match the performance of Intel i7 3770K in Battlefield 4 benchmark test when both CPU is paired with the same video card, Radeon R7 260X. Well you can see the video test below:
Without a doubt, the AMD FX-6300 is the strongest CPU with the cheapest price at this time. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with this processor is it takes a lot of power consumption (95W max TDP) and it can get really hot when you overclock this CPU.
Specifications
Socket Type: AM3+
L3 Cache : 8MB
Max TDP: 95W
Core Name: Vishera
Click here to buy AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300 from amazon
Thanks for reading this article...
Update
More info about new gaming processor
* AMD APU A10-7800
In the Beginning of 2014 ago, AMD APU released their 4th generation, known by the codename 'Kaveri'. AMD's latest APU is made with a 28nm fabrication process, providing increased performance per clock, and also lower power consumption. In addition, the Kaveri has several advantages that did not exist before, like full support for Huma and HSA (Heterogeneous System Architecture), and also the use of the integrated GPU with architecture GCN (Graphics Core Next). No wonder why AMD gives it tagline as "AMD's APU Most Advanced Ever" to Kaveri.
Well, A few weeks ago, AMD announced several new APU models that will add product lines of AMD APU architecture based Kaveri, the one we tested is the AMD APU A10-7800.
AMD A10-7800 included in the ranks of the new APU line, which is marked with a TDP of 65 Watt TDP which is different than the first A10-7850K Kaveri, that has 95 Watt TDP. The A10-7800 specifications is similar to A10-7850K, and still have 4 CPU cores, and 8 GPU Compute units (512 Radeon Cores).
Kaveri is included in the new product line with unique feature, which is customizable TDP (cTDP), meaning the ability to manually change the TDP of the APU to match the needs of the users. CTDP menu can be selected from the BIOS menu.
The performance of the processor and the integrated GPU in A10-7800 is very similar to A10-7850K. So far, the biggest differences between AMD A10-7800 new Kaveri APU and AMD APU A10-7850K is only in part of overclock ability, TDP, and its power consumption. By default with lower TDP (65W) and also a feature to lower the TDP, AMD APU A10-7800 is good choice for PC users who want to build a low power gaming computer.
Specifications
Socket Type: FM2+
L2 Cache : 4 MB
Max TDP: 65 W
Core Name: Kaveri
Integrated Graphics: Radeon R7 graphics
Click here to buy AMD APU A10-7800 from amazon
* AMD FX 8370E 8-Core Prosesor
Unlike the FX 8370 and FX 8320, the FX 8370E processor is designed to operate with low max TDP. If the FX 8370 and FX 8320 have 125 watts max TDP, then FX 8370E only requires 95 Watt power consumption.
With CPU-based architecture similar to the AMD FX 8300 Series, but with a lower clock speed, it is not surprising that the overall performance of FX 8370E is not as strong as the other AMD's middle-end CPUs.
Specifications
Socket Type: AM3+
L2 Cache : 8 MB
Max TDP: 95 W
Core Name: Vishera
Integrated Graphics: AMD Padeon R9 285
