Intel Xeon E5-2620

The Intel Xeon E5-2620 brings 6 cores and 12 threads. Clocks span 2GHz base to 2GHz boost. It drops into the LGA2011 socket with a 95W TDP — about 15.8W per core. 16MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. Match the socket to your motherboard first; cooler TDP rating second.

At $189.95 it sits in the mid-range processor bracket. Drop it into the PlanMyPC builder to check compatibility with the rest of your parts and compare current processor prices across retailers. Support and warranty service run through Intel, with terms that vary by region. Scroll down for the complete spec table; the builder's compatibility checker will warn you about any conflicts with components you have already picked.