Shop for processors

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: Thanks to an expensive new motherboard requirement, Intel's new Core i7 desktop processors will remain enthusiast and professional-level parts until more affordable complementary hardware comes out later next year. Speed never comes cheap, however, and if you're willing to spend for it now, you'll find yourself in possession of the fastest CPU on the market. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition I7-965, FC-LGA8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: AMD's new high-end dual-core CPU offers plenty of bang for the buck, outpacing Intel's Pentium 965 Extreme Edition, which costs $200 more. Sounds like a good deal, but wait to see what Intel's next-gen Core 2 Duo chips have to offer when they debut later this year. Read review

Specs: Processor, AMD Athlon 64 X2

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 27 reviews

The Bottom Line: Intel's Core 2 Duo E6700 offers the best price-to-performance ratio we've seen in a desktop chip. For half the cost of AMD's top-of-the-line chip, you get identical if not superior performance and better power efficiency. AMD surprised us last year with its completely dominant dual-core chips, but Intel regains the crown with Core 2 Duo. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6700

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: AMD's new Phenom quad-core CPU has little to recommend it over competing chips from Intel. The Phenom is marginally less expensive, but not enough to make up for its subpar performance. Unless AMD drops prices more aggressively, it looks like Intel will maintain its grasp on the CPU market for the foreseeable future. Read review

Specs: Processor, AMD Phenom X4 9500

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Intel Pentium processor with Intel dual-core technology delivers great desktop and mobile performance, low power enhancements, and multitasking for everyday computing.

Specs: Processor, Intel Pentium E5300

• CNET Editor rating:
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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: AMD Sempron processors for desktop and mobile products offer best in class performance, compatibility with all the applications you need, and the reliability of AMD processors.

Specs: Processor, AMD Sempron LE-1250 Energy Efficient

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6300

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you thought dual cores were over the top, get ready. Intel presents the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, a single CPU with four distinct processing cores. At $999, the first quad-core CPU will remain an enthusiast part for a while, but as a glimpse of the future, it's clear that clock speed is out and core counts are in. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: AMD's new Phenom quad-core CPU has little to recommend it over competing chips from Intel. The Phenom is marginally less-expensive, but not enough to make up for its subpar performance. Unless AMD drops prices more aggressively, it looks like Intel will maintain its grasp on the CPU market for the foreseeable future. Read review

Specs: Processor, AMD Phenom X4 9600

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Manufacturer description: With faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where it's needed most, Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in PC performance. They are the best desktop ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core i7 I7-920

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: This industry's first quad-core processor for mainstream servers provides breakthrough performance and capabilities for the ultimate in powerful, dense and energy efficient servers. With the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Quad-Core Xeon E5420

• CNET Editor rating:
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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Intel Core 2 Duo processors are built in several of the world's most advanced, high-volume output manufacturing facilities using Intel's leading silicon process technology. The processor family ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E7500

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: AMD's new Phenom X4 9850 is overpriced and outclassed compared with its Intel-based quad-core competition. If PC vendors can use this chip to make cheap systems (as they did with older Phenoms), we might have nicer things to say, but as a DIY part at this price, we can't recommend AMD's latest quad-core CPU. Read review

Specs: Processor, AMD Phenom X4 9850

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: You can take performance over the top with AMD Phenom II processors. Second generation AMD Phenom II processors feature a refined architecture, the award-winning innovation of AMD64 technology with direct ... Read more

Specs: Processor, AMD Phenom II X4 965

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Intel Core 2 Duo processors are built in several of the world's most advanced, high-volume output manufacturing facilities using Intel's leading silicon process technology. The processor family ... Read more

Specs: Processor ( Mobile ), Intel Core 2 Duo T9600, 478-pin Micro FCPGA

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center. Read review

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6400

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: Leaders of the pack seeking monster performance, look no further. With four execution cores, the Intel Core 2 Quad processor blows through processor-intensive tasks in demanding multitasking environments and makes ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: With faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where it's needed most, Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in PC performance. They are the best desktop ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core i7 I7-950

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Intel Core 2 Duo processors are built in several of the world's most advanced, high-volume output manufacturing facilities using Intel's leading silicon process technology. The processor family ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E7400

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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: AMD Phenom II processors deliver the ultimate visual experience for high definition entertainment, advanced multitasking performance, and power-saving innovations for smaller, cooler machines that are energy efficient. Live your life ... Read more

Specs: Processor, AMD Phenom II X2 545

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: With faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where it's needed most, Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in PC performance. They are the best desktop ... Read more

Specs: Processor, Intel Core i7 I7-960

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Intel Core 2 Duo processors are built in several of the world's most advanced, high-volume output manufacturing facilities using Intel's leading silicon process technology. The processor family ... Read more

Specs: Processor ( Mobile ), Intel Core 2 Duo P8700, 478-pin Micro FCPGA