SA Intel CPU price roundup

In this article we take a look at prices for Intel processors across various online retailers in the country.

Many people feel that Intel is the better brand to go for when it comes to processors and to a certain extent, they’re right. Intel’s gaming prowess, strong single-core performance and reasonable prices have made them a mainstay in the hearts and minds of South African technology enthusiasts and gamers. What if you wanted to build up your rig yourself, but you have no idea where’s the best place to buy your processor?

Don’t stress! Hakuna Matata. We’ve gone and done all the hard work so you don’t have to. Chill out and read through our price roundup to help you assemble a list for your dream rig.

The table below shows the various Intel processors available from local retailers. The lowest prices are highlighted in Bold. If a processor is listed as “Sold Out”, “Contact for availability” or is out of stock, that price does not make it into the table. For reference; “2C” = dual core, “4C” = quad core, “6C = six cores, “8C” = eight cores, “HT” = hyperthreading enabled.

Intel Processor	Rebeltech	Wootware	Ikonix	Titan-Ice	Takealot
Celeron G1610 2.6GHz 55w (2C)	446	490		469
Pentium G2020 2.9GHz 55w (2C)	626	654	629		681
Core i3-3220 3.3GHz 55w (2C, HT)	1294	1305	1291		1407
Core i3-3225 3.3GHz 55w (2C, HT)	1465	1483	1475	1529
Core i5-3470 3.2GHz 77w (4C)	2100		2149	2129	2256
Core i5-3570 3.4GHz 77w (4C)	2306	2373	2357	2449	2462
Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz 77w (4C)	2548	2535	2610	2499	2662
Xeon E3-1230 v2 3.3GHz 69w (4C. HT)	2899	2817		2999
Core i7-3820 3.6GHz 130w (4C, HT)	3301		3357	3499	3454
Core i7-3770 3.4GHz 77w (4C, HT)	3308	3364	3373	3320	3478
Core i7-3770K 3.4GHz 77w (4C, HT)	3714	3699	3788	3699	3879
Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 130w (6C, HT)	6434	6622	6569	6749
Core i7-3970X 3.5GHz 150w (6C, HT)	11,631	11,924	11,711	11,999

The Celeron G1610 is the cheapest Intel dual-core offering here and its based on Ivy Bridge. Its strong single-core performance means that it’ll run well in a budget gaming rig where you’re strapped for cash. Its only 300MHz slower than the Pentium G2020 and lacks 1MB of L3 cache, which won’t matter much for where it’ll be used – budget gaming or office productivity.

There are two Core i3 chips here but if you’re planning on using the integrated graphics, stump up for the i3-3225. Clock speeds between it and the i3-3220 are the same , but the i3-3225 packs Intel’s HD4000 graphics core. It’ll enable some very light gaming capability and you also get the benefit of Quicksync, Intel’s proprietary transcoding technology that can accelerate video transcoding just like Nvidia’s CUDA.

If you’re not going to overclock or use the integrated graphics, or if you’re stuck with a H61, B75 or H77 motherboard, pick the Core i5-3570. Its cheaper than the i5-3570K and has more features like full virtualisation support. If you’re on a Z75 or Z77 board, the i5-3570 is still a valid choice if you’d like to save some cash. You can also raise the Turbo boost frequencies to default on 3.8GHz for all cores – just make sure you pack in better cooling for that.

At the high-end, the Core i7 family rules the roost. If you’re trying to save money and won’t ever use the integrated graphics, you can choose the Xeon E3-1230 over the Core i7-3770. It still has four cores with hyperthreading, boosts up to similar frequencies, has the same amount of cache and, on average, it saves you R463.6 which you can use for more memory, a better motherboard or faster graphics cards.

LGA2011 processors are also in good supply still and that platform, unlike Ivy Bridge, won’t be going away very soon. The i7-3820 is the entry into the server-based X79 platform, but it’s also only a quad-core with a locked multiplier. If you’re keen on overclocking, the i7-3930K shoves in an extra two cores, more cache and an unlocked multiplier, but costs nearly double the price.

The i7-3970K is the fastest stock-clocked processor Intel has ever made, but it’ll only be a good choice for bragging rights. If you’re sensible, choose the 3930K instead.