Intel CORE I3-4130 3.4 3 LGA 1155 Processor BX80646I34130

In 2003, my family bought a gaming PC with an Intel CPU. It was fast for the time but quickly became obsolete. It was VERY loud with its stock Intel fan and would put out enough heat to make a room many degrees above ambient even when just doing medium load work.In 2011, I got a laptop for college. With an Intel Core i5-2410m, it was alright for the time and could play most games up to 2007 (with quality adjustments for some). Though it still wasn't great for gaming; the integrated graphics just wasn't powerful enough to have any good experience.In 2014, I finally build my own computer. I had been planning it for ages but I finally did it in a spur of the moment type deal using PCPartpicker. Thus, it was pretty unplanned and I would have gotten different components and even waited so I could have used more money. But I am happy with this Intel Core i3-4130 3.4 GHz. It gives off next to no heat compared to my laptop and especially compared to my old desktop.Integrated graphics were VERY good and I was debating whether to just stay with integrated or buy a GPU. I eventually went with a GPU because it still couldn't run certain games. I put my old Nvidia GTS 250 in it and it was insane (goes to show you I've only used crappy computers through my life).Also, I had nightmares about fan noise (that's how loud my first desktop was). I played flying games on my old desktop and the stock cooler fan sounded like a jet engine so I always had to have my headphones with music or games playing to drown it out. Because of this, I was going to buy an after market fan but once I started it up, it was very quiet. I was surprised! Not only that, but the temperatures are very acceptable too.To finish, it's a great CPU even for moderate gamers! Just get a video card and you'll be set.

I am using this in conjunction with an ASROCK Z87E-ITX - LGA1150 Intel Z87 Chipset DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 WiFi Mini-ITX Motherboard and the performance is great. This processor is literally at the low end of i3 processors listed as compatible for that board, but this gives me far more power than I need for the HTPC I'm using it in.Back when Windows 7 was in beta, I bought a new MB with advanced features that weren't supported in older versions of Windows. So I needed a new processor at the time and went with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Processor, which was far from low end. It was 75% more expensive than what this one costs now and this one outperforms it. While this is still a lower end processor, the fact that it can outperform a processor from a few years ago, with power to spare and better graphics capability, means that you can have something that's far more than an entry level PC with it. It used to be that a lower end Intel processor meant saving money by compromising. But depending on your needs, it might give you as much as you can throw at it. For real world applications in daily use, I get more performance out of the PC with this processor than I get out of my laptop with an i7. You need to go by your system as a whole.If you run the types of applications that truly need more power, you will know what they are and wouldn't be looking at this one. If you aren't sure that an i3 can meet your needs, for a typical user who runs multimedia applications, common gaming applications, web, email and office type applications, you probably won't see an advantage with a faster processor unless you use software to measure the difference. The throughput that you will get with any SSD will be the maximum, so there's no limitation in that respect. And if you don't find the graphics more than good enough for your purposes, you would probably be buying a separate video card anyway.

This chip is fast enough for all of your basic tasks and the price is right. I would spring for an i5 part if your budget allows it but for basic web surfing and office tasks this will do everything you need.

I had my reservations on buying this processor over an i5 or an i7. However, I decided to give this new Haswell chip a chance. I must say that I am very pleased with its performance so far.I was able to install this CPU without any issues in an Asus Z87 Pro motherboard. I did install an aftermarket cooler, since my experience with OEM coolers has never been pleasant. We keep our home at around 70 degrees (21 celsius) and the CPU with the cooler idles at 82-86 degrees (28-30 celsius). I haven't yet measured the temps under load.My doubts with this i3 revolved around how well it would be for gaming. So, I installed Skyrim and modded it with some moderate graphical improvements, set it at Ultra at 1080p and loaded the game. All I can say is it is smooth! No stuttering, No lag, it plays wonderfully. I couldn't be happier.Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Instant Video, etc all play without a hiccup. Compression software, Web browsers, Productivity apps are all snappy and smooth.If you are looking for a good mid range processor...This is it! Get it! You won't be disappointed.System Build:Intel i3 4130Asus Z87 ProEVGA GTX 760 SC 2gbCM Hyper 212 CPU cooler8gb Corsair Vengeance RAMCorsair CX600 PSUCM Elite 430 CaseWindows 8

Just worked. Exactly as described. Good value. included heat sink/fan good. 2nd purchase- just as good.

Poorly wrap did not come with fan or in a box.