Intel Xeon E5-2640 V3

The Intel Xeon E5-2640 V3 offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Clocks run from 2.6GHz base to 3.4GHz boost. It drops into the LGA2011-3 socket with a 90W TDP — about 11.3W per core. 16MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. Confirm motherboard socket compatibility before anything else, then size the cooler to the TDP.

Its $189.95 price tag places it squarely in mid-range territory. PlanMyPC's builder flags compatibility problems automatically and tracks the latest processor deals from multiple stores. Warranty coverage follows Intel's standard policy — confirm regional terms on the listing. Scroll down for the complete spec table; the builder's compatibility checker will warn you about any conflicts with components you have already picked.