Intel Core 2 Duo E4500

The Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 brings 2 cores and 4 threads. It drops into the LGA775 socket with a 65W TDP — about 32.5W per core. Clocks run from 2.2GHz base to 2.2GHz boost. Board socket comes first when pairing parts — after that, make sure your cooler's rating covers the chip.

Its $129.95 price tag places it squarely in budget territory. Use the PlanMyPC system builder to verify it works alongside your other components and to watch live retailer pricing. Support and warranty service run through Intel, with terms that vary by region. The full specification sheet below breaks out every listed detail, and the compatibility checker flags conflicts with parts already in your build.