Top 5 Best Core i7 Processors - PC CPU Motherboard 2012

When you are building your own computer you need to stick to a budget, but where is it good to cut corners and where is good to spend your hard earned money? Where you spend your money should really depend on what the purpose of your computer is. If you are designing a computer for your business, then the weight might lean towards hard drive space and speed. If you are building a gaming computer, then your focus might be on a video card or processor. One piece of hardware that is important for any type of computer is your CPU. This hub will cover the best processors for 2012, and which one you should pick.

Processor Reviews For 2012 - What's Your Spending Limit?

Before I begin my analysis, it's important to take into consideration the budget you have set for your computer. If it's under $700, then I would recommend you look into the i5 or i3 series of processors. If it's over $700, then purchasing an i7 processor may or may not be worth your money based on what you are using it for. i7 processors are the top of the line CPU for 2011. If all you do is browse the internet or write, then, regardless of budget, go with a processor that represents around 15% of your overall budget. If you are a gamer, video editor, or do anything that requires a good processor, then I would recommend 20-30% of your overall budget go towards a good gaming cpu.

CPU Motherboard Combos for the i7:

By selecting your CPU you narrow down which motherboard you can purchase. CPUs come with various socket sizes that are specific to motherboards that match them. Even though some processors are similar in price, socket sizes will determine which motherboard you can purchase. If you pick a CPU with a 1155 socket (sandy bridge) for example, then you might expect to pay slightly more for a motherboard that is compatible with the 1155 socket size. This is because the sandy bridge is the next generation model. Other socket sizes for the i7 include the 1366 and 1156. Here is some additional Information on motherboards.

Best CPU 2011:

My Choice for best Intel CPU of 2012 is the Intel Core i7 950 (1366 socket) and the i7-2600k (1155 socket). These are the bestselling, best rated processors for performance on the market today. If performance is not as important consider the i5 760 or the i3 540 to save yourself some money. Hopefully we'll also see a price reduction in the sandy bridge processors by Q4 2012.

I also am a huge fan of the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T. For AMD fans see my hub on the best AMD CPU motherboard Combos for 2011 and the best AMD CPU 2011 which specifically reviews the Phenom II processors.

Intel Core i7-950 Processor features:

• Four 3.06 GHz cores for better multitasking and multithreaded performance.
• 8 MB of smart cache.
• Integrated memory controller delivers higher memory bandwidth.
• Quick Path Interconnect provides fast data transfer between the processor and chipset.

Best Budget CPU 2012

If you are on a budget but still want most of the performance that the i7 offers, then go with the Intel Core i5 760 processor. It has 4 cores and 9 MB of Intel Smart Cache, while maintaining the 1156 socket for a less expensive motherboard.

This CPU is Still Great for Gamers

I have one of these at work and have played Battlefield Bad Company 2 on it with no problem.

2012 CPU Reviews:

In the end understanding what your needs are will allow you to pick which CPU is best for you. If you come up with a CPU that you feel I should feature, then please leave a comment below. More information on 1155, 1156, and 1366 motherboards.