The Intel G3258 is the first budget Pentium processor to feature an unlocked multiplier. This enables a comfortable overclock to 4.3 GHz using just the stock heat sink and fan. At 4.3 GHz, in terms of single and dual core performance, the G3258 challenges a fully overclocked i7-4790K, the fastest CPU I have seen to date! These results are stunning considering that the G3258 is retailing for around one fifth as much as an i7-4790K. The G3258's Achilles heel is its poor multi-core performance which is over 50% weaker than the group leaders. For the vast majority of users, assuming an overclock of 4.3 GHz, the G3258 is the best value processor on the market by miles. On the other hand, users that encode multi-media or run SLI/Crossfire setups should look elsewhere. ^{[Jul '14 CPUPro]}

MORE DETAILS