Intel Xeon E5-2695 V3

The Intel Xeon E5-2695 V3 brings 14 cores and 14 threads. It drops into the LGA2011-3 socket with a 120W TDP — about 8.6W per core. 16MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads. Clocks run from 2.3GHz base to 3.3GHz boost. Confirm motherboard socket compatibility before anything else, then size the cooler to the TDP.

At $498.95 it sits in the high-end processor bracket. Use the PlanMyPC system builder to verify it works alongside your other components and to watch live retailer pricing. 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.