Best dual-core processor

Last updated: 2012-12-24 13:01 US/Eastern

How to find the best processor for a given price? First - choose which type of performance characteristic you are interested in. "Overall performance" takes into account all CPU cores which means it shows total theoretical CPU speed. If you plan to use applications capable of handling multiple cores (for example: audio and video editing, 3D rendering and most of the newer 3D games), then this is the chart for you. On the other hand, "Single-core performance" shows approximate performance of a single core in every CPU. Most of the "non-proffesional" applications still are able to use only a single core, so this CPU speed chart is more applicable to them.

When you have chosen the chart, then find your budgeted price on its horizontal axis. On the left of your price find the highest point on the chart. To answer the big question: "which is the the best processor?" - its this one!

These CPU speed and value charts are built based on performance data from cpubenchmark.net and prices from Newegg. "Score" is computed as performance to price ratio.

Hold Shift and click to sort by more than one column.

CPU Socket Performance Price Score
Intel Celeron G530 LGA 1155 2278 48.99 46.50
Intel Celeron G540 LGA 1155 2284 49.99 45.69
Intel Celeron G555 LGA 1155 2412 56.99 42.32
AMD A4 3300 FM1 1620 39.99 40.51
Intel Celeron G550 LGA 1155 2387 59.99 39.79
Intel Pentium Dual Core G645 LGA 1155 2708 69.99 38.69
Intel Pentium Dual Core G860 LGA 1155 2872 74.99 38.30
Intel Pentium Dual Core G630 LGA 1155 2424 64.99 37.30
Intel Pentium Dual Core G640 LGA 1155 2634 71.99 36.59
AMD Athlon II X2 270 AM3 1921 54.99 34.93
Intel Pentium Dual Core G870 LGA 1155 3121 89.99 34.68
AMD A4 3400 FM1 1623 46.99 34.54
Intel Pentium Dual Core G620 LGA 1155 2266 65.99 34.34
Intel Core i3 3220 LGA 1155 4257 129.99 32.75
Intel Pentium Dual Core G850 LGA 1155 2642 81.99 32.22
Intel Core i3 2120 LGA 1155 3993 124.99 31.95
Intel Core i3 3225 LGA 1155 4457 144.99 30.74
Intel Core i3 2105 LGA 1155 3957 129.99 30.44
Intel Pentium Dual Core G630T LGA 1155 2275 74.99 30.34
AMD Athlon II X2 260 AM3 1786 58.99 30.28
Intel Core i3 2130 LGA 1155 3928 129.99 30.22
Intel Core i3 2100 LGA 1155 3596 119.99 29.97
AMD A4 5300 FM2 1927 64.99 29.65
AMD A6 5400K FM2 2222 74.99 29.63
Intel Core i3 3240 LGA 1155 4141 149.99 27.61
Intel Core i3 2125 LGA 1155 4050 149.99 27.00
Intel Pentium Dual Core G840 LGA 1155 2676 99.99 26.76
Intel Pentium Dual Core G850 LGA 1155 2642 99.99 26.42
Intel Core i3 2120T LGA 1155 3283 134.99 24.32
Intel Core i3 540 LGA 1156 2692 129.99 20.71

Hold Shift and click to sort by more than one column.

CPU Socket Performance Price Score
Intel Celeron G530 LGA 1155 1139 48.99 23.25
Intel Celeron G540 LGA 1155 1142 49.99 22.84
Intel Celeron G555 LGA 1155 1206 56.99 21.16
AMD A4 3300 FM1 810 39.99 20.26
Intel Celeron G550 LGA 1155 1193 59.99 19.89
Intel Pentium Dual Core G645 LGA 1155 1354 69.99 19.35
Intel Pentium Dual Core G860 LGA 1155 1436 74.99 19.15
Intel Pentium Dual Core G630 LGA 1155 1212 64.99 18.65
Intel Pentium Dual Core G640 LGA 1155 1317 71.99 18.29
AMD Athlon II X2 270 AM3 960 54.99 17.46
Intel Pentium Dual Core G870 LGA 1155 1560 89.99 17.34
AMD A4 3400 FM1 811 46.99 17.26
Intel Pentium Dual Core G620 LGA 1155 1133 65.99 17.17
Intel Core i3 3220 LGA 1155 2128 129.99 16.37
Intel Pentium Dual Core G850 LGA 1155 1321 81.99 16.11
Intel Core i3 2120 LGA 1155 1996 124.99 15.97
Intel Core i3 3225 LGA 1155 2228 144.99 15.37
Intel Core i3 2105 LGA 1155 1978 129.99 15.22
Intel Pentium Dual Core G630T LGA 1155 1137 74.99 15.16
AMD Athlon II X2 260 AM3 893 58.99 15.14
Intel Core i3 2130 LGA 1155 1964 129.99 15.11
Intel Core i3 2100 LGA 1155 1798 119.99 14.98
AMD A4 5300 FM2 963 64.99 14.82
AMD A6 5400K FM2 1111 74.99 14.82
Intel Core i3 3240 LGA 1155 2070 149.99 13.80
Intel Core i3 2125 LGA 1155 2025 149.99 13.50
Intel Pentium Dual Core G840 LGA 1155 1338 99.99 13.38
Intel Pentium Dual Core G850 LGA 1155 1321 99.99 13.21
Intel Core i3 2120T LGA 1155 1641 134.99 12.16
Intel Core i3 540 LGA 1156 1346 129.99 10.35

Note: Results presented can not be treated as the one and only truth, simply because there is not one definition of generally "best processor". Before making final decision about purchasing your chosen CPU, make sure to read some more in-depth reviews published by specialized sites.

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