A couple of months ago, I wrote about the Asus Z87 Deluxe DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard and suggested it as a great starting point for a new computer. A loyal reader wrote me as he was assembling this motherboard and other parts I’ve suggested to build a powerhouse computer of his own. He asked me which processor he should get and so today I want to give some suggestions.
The most critical part of selecting a processor for that motherboard (or any other motherboard) is getting one compatible. For this specific motherboard, it lists LGA 1150 as the slot into which a processor is connected. So our search for processors has to be something in LGA 1150 packaging. I should also mention that is an Intel type of slot so a search for this motherboard will only lead to Intel processors.
After we get past the LGA 1150 requirement, your choice is highly dependent on how much speed you want and how much money you are willing to spend. Faster processors cost more money. Yet for this particular slot, the most obscenely expensive processors are not compatible. I’ll list four choices from fastest/most expensive to slowest/least expensive. It is up to you to select which one best meets your needs and budget. Note that the prices I list are the prices shown to me on Amazon as I write this. They certainly may change and I have no control over it.
- Intel Core i7-4770 Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.4 GHz with 8 MB Cache ($309.99)
- Intel Core i5-4670 Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.4 GHz with 6 MB Cache ($229.99)
- Intel Core i5-4570 Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.2 GHz with 6 MB Cache ($189.99)
- Intel Core i3-4130T Desktop Processor 2.9 GHz ($141.56)
Keep in mind that the processor you choose will probably be what drives your computer for the next 3-5 years. Is it really worth saving a few dollars now and losing out on performance for several years? I personally would suggest you stick with one of the top two choices. Sure, they also have the highest cost. Trying to save more by buying the latter two will hurt you long-term is the loss of performance. Heck, wait a couple of weeks and it is quite possible the price will go down on the top two. Of course there will probably also be something newer and faster coming just as quickly.
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