Our Picks
Although processor makers probably hate us for saying so, the processor actually plays a relatively minor role in overall system performance. The difference in absolute processor performance between a $50 processor and a $500 processor may be a factor of two or less. Nor does buying a $500 processor make your system run twice as fast, because processor speed is only one element of system performance. Before you plunk down $500 for a processor, consider instead spending that extra money on more memory, a faster video card, a SCSI hard drive, or all of those.
- Inexpensive systems (sub $1,000)
Intel Celeron 4. We recommend the Intel Celeron 4 processor largely because of the many top-notch integrated motherboards available for it. Yes, you can find cheap Pentium 4 and Athlon systems in this price range, but those systems are built to a price point using components of lower quality than we feel comfortable using. The AMD Duron is also an attractive processor. Many inexpensive systems are built around the Duron, which has higher performance clock-for-clock than the Celeron, but most inexpensive Duron systems use VIA-based motherboards, which we find unacceptable. For a stable system with reasonably good performance, it’s hard to beat the Celeron. We’d choose the fastest retail-boxed Celeron you can find for about $85.
- Mainstream and performance systems ($1,000 to $2,500+)
Intel Pentium 4. For mainstream and performance systems, we recommend the Intel Pentium 4. Pentium 4 processors ...