Intel Core 2 Duo E8300

The Intel Core 2 Duo E8300 offers 2 cores and 4 threads. It drops into the LGA775 socket with a 65W TDP — about 32.5W per core. Clocks span 2.83GHz base to 2.83GHz boost. Confirm motherboard socket compatibility before anything else, then size the cooler to the TDP.

Expect to pay around $99.95, which lands it among budget options. PlanMyPC's builder flags compatibility problems automatically and tracks the latest processor deals from multiple stores. Intel backs the product through its standard warranty channels; check the listing for region-specific terms. Scroll down for the complete spec table; the builder's compatibility checker will warn you about any conflicts with components you have already picked.