Intel Core i7-4770K

The Intel Core i7-4770K offers 4 cores and 8 threads. It drops into the LGA1150 socket with a 84W TDP — about 21W per core. Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 graphics let it run headless-GPU builds and troubleshooting. 8MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. Clocks run from 3.5GHz base to 3.9GHz boost.

Board socket comes first when pairing parts — after that, make sure your cooler's rating covers the chip. At $26.99 it sits in the budget processor bracket. PlanMyPC's builder flags compatibility problems automatically and tracks the latest processor deals from multiple stores. Support and warranty service run through Intel, with terms that vary by region.