Best Gaming CPU: $90-$110

Best gaming CPU for $100

Athlon II X4 620
Codename:	Propus
Process:	45nm
CPU Cores:	4
Clock Speed:	2.6 GHz
Socket:	AM3
L1 Cache:	4 x 128KB
L2 Cache:	4 x 512KB
HyperTransport:	4,000 MHz
Thermal Envelope:	95W

Frankly, the high clock rate of the Athlon II X3 435 allows it to perform better than an Athlon II X4 620 at stock frequencies in a great majority of games.

However, there are a few titles out there that will take advantage of a fourth CPU core, making the Athlon II X4 a potentially-attractive choice to buyers who want all four CPU cores and are willing to overclock this processor. Moreover, as a general-purpose CPU (during the hours you don't spend gaming, of course), the quad-core solution is going to be superior.

Read our review of the Athlon II X4 620,

Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition

Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition
Codename:	Callisto
Process:	45nm
CPU Cores:	2
Clock Speed:	3.1 GHz
Socket:	AM3
L1 Cache:	2 x 128KB
L2 Cache:	2 x 512KB
L3 Cache:	6MB
HyperTransport:	4,000 MHz
Thermal Envelope:	80W

Although the dual-core Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition might be a bit slower than the less-expensive Athlon II X3 435 when it comes to gaming, it offers something that the Athlon II X3 doesn't have: an unlocked clock multiplier. Like all of AMD's Black Edition processors, the Phenom II X2 550 can be easily overclocked by simply upping its multiplier in the motherboard BIOS of your choice, earning this CPU a place on our recommended list for overclocking fans.

Read our review of the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition,

Pentium E6500

Pentium Dual-Core E6500
Codename:	Wolfdale-2M
Process:	45nm
CPU Cores:	2
Clock Speed:	2.93 GHz
Socket:	LGA 775
L2 Cache:	2MB
Front Side Bus:	1,066 MHz
Thermal Envelope:	65W

With only two CPU cores, the E6500 will usually lose to AMD's Athlon II X3 435 at its stock clock rates. However, the E6500 has already established itself as a CPU with plenty of high overclocking potential, reportedly exceeding 4 GHz without too much trouble. This makes it an attractive option for budget-oriented overclockers who already have have an LGA 775 motherboard.

Pentium G6950

Pentium G6950
Codename:	Clarkdale
Process:	32nm
CPU Cores:	2
Clock Speed:	2.8 GHz
Socket:	LGA 1156
L1 Cache:	4 x 32KB
L2 Cache:	2 x 256KB
L3 Cache:	3MB
Thermal Envelope:	73W

The new Clarkdale-based Pentium G9650 deserves a mention in this category, built on what we hope is an overclocking-friendly 32nm process with a respectably-high clock speed. There may be a lot of overclocking potential in this new CPU, and we will be exploring that with a review in the very near future.