Intel Xeon E5-2609

The Intel Xeon E5-2609 packs 4 cores and 8 threads. 16MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. It drops into the LGA2011 socket with a 80W TDP — about 20W per core. Clocks run from 2.4GHz base to 2.4GHz boost. Confirm motherboard socket compatibility before anything else, then size the cooler to the TDP.

Its $89.95 price tag places it squarely in budget territory. 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. The full specification sheet below breaks out every listed detail, and the compatibility checker flags conflicts with parts already in your build.