Intel Pentium E2180

The Intel Pentium E2180 packs 2 cores and 4 threads. Clocks span 2GHz base to 2GHz boost. It drops into the LGA775 socket with a 65W TDP — about 32.5W per core. Board socket comes first when pairing parts — after that, make sure your cooler's rating covers the chip.

Expect to pay around $20.00, which lands it among budget options. 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. The full specification sheet below breaks out every listed detail, and the compatibility checker flags conflicts with parts already in your build.