Intel Pentium G6950 Clarkdale 2.8GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80616G6950

Pros: So I ended up getting this from a store that was going out of business for cheaper than retail so it was worth it. The price to performance ratio isn't amazing but this chip does have intel graphics which makes it worth my while in an HTPC. It handles win server 2008 r2 quite well.... and actually outperforms two 711 dual core xeons at 2.0ghz (with much newer hard drives)

Cons: Other than basic applications I would go with a core i5.

Other Thoughts: I may be biased towards higher end CPUs having an i7 920 in my desktop and i7 2630-QM in my laptop.

Pros: Fast, decent, very low-budget CPU. So far it's very good for what I use it for. Handles everyday tasks as well as medium-high rated games both on Linux via Wine and Windows 7.

Cons: Although it handles everyday tasks, this CPU lags a little in video encoding and heavy multi-tasking, but that's to be expected with a budget chip.

The on-board graphics are decent for everyday HD videos, but not really for games.

Other Thoughts: Overall I love this Processor and will recommend it to all looking for a decent everyday tasking CPU. Plus with a socket set of LGA 1156 you'll have plenty of room for upgrades when you're ready.

Pros: This processor is great i have it overclocked at 4ghz with cooler master v6 gt and arctic silver 5 thermal compound has yet to touch 40c idles at 20c-25c and games max settings at 35c-39c. For $99 i would highly recommend as a starter processor or for a budget system.

Cons: Wasn't free :p

Other Thoughts: Any questions on how to make yourself an epic pc let me know ;)

Pros: This processor did more than i was told. It did stay at 2.8 GHz, it stayed at a good 3-4 GHz, along with this amazing processor the devivary was over night when i didnt even pay for over night shipping. I would recommended this to anyone. Whats even better is that it was only $99

Cons: I would prefer pins but im not complaining

Pros: Overclocked to 4.3 Ghz @ 1.4V using a Corsair H50. Load temps were about 64C.

Cons: No HT or Turbo Boost, could be cheaper to compete with AMD's low-end

Other Thoughts: Not using the on-die graphics. Overclocked using a Gigabyte USB3.0 mini-ITX motherboard.

Pros: Easily overclocked to 3.12 with stock fan with very little temp increase (1 or 2 degrees C). Will overclock further once I get a better cooler (i dont want to take any chances). Plays blu ray once overclocked. Very cheap for LGA 1156. Being an LGA 1156 it is a great starter CPU. It allows you to upgrade CPU to an i3, i5, or i7 in the future without needing to get a different mobo.

Cons: Didn't render the color when playing blu ray right out of the box. Easily overclocked it to 2.95 and played blu ray. Overclocked again to 3.12 and played blu ray even better.

Other Thoughts: Read articles about this CPU and they overclocked it to 4.5 and killed it, but got another one and pushed it to 4.2 and worked fine with aftermarket cooler and fan. Plan on overclocking it to at 3.5 once I get a better cooler.

Pros: Not sure

Cons: go with an i3

Other Thoughts: For the price point your time and money may be better spent with
an i3.

Pros: Great little chip, I also got this chip at another store with an MSI board for $105, so that comes out to about $52.50 for the chip, if I had to pay full price for this, I do not think I would be as happy.

Cons: None, except stock clock for IGPU, but it easily overclocks to 733MHz, which is stock for the core i3/5.

Other Thoughts: I use the IGPU for light gaming and htpc purposes. I have the processor overclocked at 3.145GHz, and load is 30*C with stock fan, though I do have the A/C on.

Pros: very fast for what it is. Very low power usage and stays cool even with stock heat sync. Goes toe to toe with Phenom II X2 555 and even some AMD Athlon II triple core chips. I have seen reports of this chip over clocking to 4 ghz very easily because the gpu clock is 533 mhz instead of the 733 mhz and 900 mhz respectively.

Cons: at fifty dollars there is no way to complain about this little guy!

Other Thoughts: got this and a MSI micro motherboard for $104 dollars. The motherboard is very decent as well, hell its actually not bad i just say that because i usually go with Gigabyte or Asus boards and have no prior experience with MSI. Don't get me wrong here i would not paid $100 dollars for this when i could get an i3 for the same price at a local store but $50 come on there's not a hard decision here at all.

Pros: Easily over-clocked to 3.50 with a temp @ 65C with stock cooler when running Everest stress test. Could easily go higher, but I have no need.

Cons: CPU has a lower speed than the other 1156 chips, so memory performance suffers a little bit.

Other Thoughts: Save a little bit more and get the i3.