Core i3-560 Processor 3.33 GHz 4 MB Cache Socket LGA1156

Short summary: If you're looking for an inexpensive upgrade, or an inexpensive system builder, with a power kick like a mule, don't pass this chip up. The i3-560 has a powerful left hook, and with some tweaking and the right cooling, you can really get some speed out of it. Don't expect i7 quad core performance, but don't be shocked when you find out just what this chip can do for you.PROS:* The price is awesome - You get a lot for what you pay, and can get even more if you bump up the power. This is more than just an entry level CPU, this will play most average games, and cover most folk's HD needs.* On board graphics support - Reduce the need to buy an expensive card, for most users. DVDs, BluRay and most standard games and web graphics are a breeze.* OC friendly - The chip comes clocked at 3.33ghz, but with ease you can bump this chip up. Some folks have reported up to 4ghz. So far I'm halfway there.* Almost all major motherboard MFG's support the i3 - You'll find a system in your pricerange* Great for upgrading from other 1156 systemsSUGGESTIONS:* The included CPU fan works well enough for most average user's needs, but if you want to go beyond the basic 3.33ghz clock of the chip, you're going to want an even better thermal dissipation system.I suggest either a heat-pipe-fan unit such as the Cooler Master TPC 812 - CPU Cooler with Vapor Chamber Technology and 6 Heat Pipes (RR-T812-24PK-R1), or my preference, a liquid cooling solution such as the Antec Kuhler H2O 620 Liquid CPU Cooler System. I run the Antec in several machines, a couple of them in harsh hot environments, and the CPU's scream.* For an inexpensive system which can process really high end graphics, you can get this i3 chip and then couple it with a decent video card. In one of my systems I've coupled this chip with an eVGA GTX 285, and it's cakewalk to run true HD videos and high frame rates. Believe it or not, you could also go with a lower end video card under $100 and get really great performance as well.* You'll get the most out of this if you couple it with a recent motherboard which supports a lot of the built-in enhancements of the chip.My experience so far with this chip:I've put this chip into two different setups, with really surprising performance in each. The 560 series chip seems to enjoy OC'ing more than it's newer counterparts, and runs smooth as butter.One motherboard is a Gigabyte GA P55-UD5, and the other is a Zotac H55-ITX-C-E. Both of them had Corsair XMS DDR3 1600 memory. Without making any changes to the bios, just popping that memory onto the board, with this CPU, brought together a tough system for more than just average needs. Both systems are using the Antec Kuhler liquid cooling setup, and are running just a smidge over ambient for most average tasks.This particular chip supports Intel HD video, which means as long as your motherboard supports onboard graphics (Such as the Zotac) then you don't need an external video card. Of course, for even crazier video horsepower, an external one is suggested, like the eVGA I run in the Gigabyte.The included CPU fan gets the job done as long as you don't need more power than what the chip gives you out of the box. For more the more adventurous users like myself, you'll want to increase your thermal dissipation once you start OC'ing, as I state above. Again, I recommend the liquid cooling option, and Antec makes it affordable and simple.If you do want to tune the system and up your power, there's plenty of overclocking guides and information out on the net for this exact chip, which is really nice. In my Zotac I simply upped the CPU from 3.33 to 3.5 without issue, and am probably going to aim for 3.7 or 3.8 as a final goal. Some folks are reaching 4ghz without issue, so there's room to spare!For one of the popular guides to OC'ing your i3/i5/i7 chip, do an internet search for '3 step guide to overclock your core i3' and you should find some great info.

Came boxed just like shown. In fact, it comes with a fan. I just looked at the ad again, and can't find anywhere on it that says it comes with a fan. The ad says "What's in the Box: Intel Core dual-core 3.33 GHz i3-560 processor." Well it comes with a fan too, with a small amount of thermal grease on it. So small, I didn't even know what it was. Since I didn't know it came with a fan, I got a Zalman fan, and used that instead. The one that comes with the CPU may just barely be adequate if you don't overclock.I was able to overclock this CPU to 4.125 GHz. It (or my memory) gave out at 4.25, I didn't try in-between values, and backed-off to 4.0 GHz to play it safe. By playing with the multiplier (I left it at 25), you could probably get 4.25 GHz out of it.For that I give it 5 starts. I wish it had 8 threads and Turbo Boost, and more than 4MB L3 cache, but I can't knock it for that, those are the specs.

e8400 was a fave (overclocked builds) up til I grabbed one of these years ago... simply said its a beast if you want a cheap gaming-rig CPU.Makes for a balanced build even if you are on a budget (+-50usd per unit now)Insane overclocks on AIR (Stable: 5.0GHz Windows / 4.9GHz gaming)Good substitute to low-end i5-i7 CPUs (more expensive CPUs)Benchmark: i3 factory vs overclocked (one prior to making an account)http://www.3dmark.com/compare/3dmv/4748224/3dmv/4748438

works great