Intel Pentium G645 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz LGA 1155 Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623G645

Pros: cheap with great performance; perfect for a general use computer that will rarely or never need to use high end production software/ high end 3d games.

Cons: the push to lock fastening system on the heatsink.
it seems the newer models lock into place a little easier but it is still recommended to support the motherboard from underneath while locking them down to avoid stressing/flexing the motherboard.

Other Thoughts: much snappier then expected on an economy msi z77 build.

Pros: I've never had an issue with Intel. This CPU has gone into 10+ builds and not one issue.

Cons: None

Pros: Picked it up from newegg for $49.99. Awesome chip for the money! PDC G645 is setup in a MSI H61-E23 (B3) motherboard and acts as a file server, bittorrent server, web server, and does transcoding to my PS3 using the PS3 Media Server. Runs perfectly! It doesn't have hyperthreading, but when under load from the PS3 Media Server it is still super responsive.

Cons: Like one of the other posters said, if you understand the specs and how it will integrate into your hardware then there are no cons for this chip.

Pros: Amazing CPU for the money. Yes, I like many picked it up from a local vendor for less. With the correct drivers from Intel installed, light gaming and blu-ray are a breeze. In fact, this unit matches up with the AMD quad-cores - at considerably less power draw!

Cons: None. There can't be any cons if one is familiar with specs. Don't expect the G645 to act like a 860 or 2120 and you won't look like a novice.
I would say this is the best Intel CPU for low cost family builds.

Other Thoughts: Downloading the correct drivers from Intel at downloadcenter.intel.com can mean all the difference in how the processor performs.

Pros: The price is very nice for this chip. The clock speed is quite high compared to the numbering system used for the older Pentium chips (the ones that don't end in 5).

This allegedly has slightly better graphics power than a G640 so if you're going low end but need to run HD Netflix and Youtube movies or something, it's not a bad idea. I'm not convinced though that it's necessarily better than a G850 at graphics performance given that the memory controller speed is lower. Since the GPU in it uses system memory, 1066 may mean a net loss in performance.

Cons: The memory controller got worse and this is where it gets weird. Compare this G645 to a G640 and you'll see that both memory controllers only run at 1066. This one's 2.9GHz and the 640 is 2.8GHz. The GPU has the same clock frequency but given their previous pattern of XXX5 chips in i3 processors, all they did was add more lanes for the GPU. That does increase the performance by double digit percentages but it's still pathetic compared to a GTS450 or 550TI for example.

Now compare the G645 to the also 2.9GHz G850. That one has a full blown 1333 memory controller, making this a lot worse choice for a 2.9GHz processor.

Other Thoughts: You'll probably want to wait and see if Intel releases a faster GXX5 version that has a 1333 memory controller. Otherwise this chip doesn't make a lot of sense for most people.

By the way, I've used the G640 before with 1333 CL9 RAM and it automatically changed the timings to 1066 @ CL8, resulting in similar overall performance but somehow it still wouldn't exceed 5.9 in the WEI.

Pros: Reasonalbly priced, good runner for being a dual core, 3mb l3 cache, 2.9ghz, with a good video card can play almost any current title decently and is great for a low end gaming or websurfing system.

Cons: I notice that the Intel Pentium G860 is $5 cheaper than this chip. That chip is 100mhz faster and has ddr3 1333 support. Why do I want to pay $5 more for something thans going to even cost me more in the long run? I see alot great deals on ddr3 1333 and finding ddr3 1066 that is decent is getting harder to do since alot of ram dealers are phasing it out. Save the $5, get the Intel Pentium G860 and with the saving just use that towards a better hsf system :).

Other Thoughts: I got this chip from somewhere else for a good bit cheaper than newegg is selling it for and if I had to buy this chip from newegg I sooner would of went with the Intel Pentium G860 before even considering this one. But I don't regret getting this chip because of what I paid for it and it does perform great for most basic computer apps.