Best LGA 1156 CPU

Intel LGA sockets are something to brag about as they make the CPU and motherboard connectivity better and faster. Among the numerous LGA sockets, the LGA 1156 is known as socket H1. Intel Xeon 3rd series, Core i3, i5, and also i7 CPUs use this land grid array socket. Especially the first generation processors of these aforementioned CPUs use it. Though people are preferring the latest LGA sockets, 1156 is still used to upgrade old CPUs, or for building this particular socket-based PC. Whatever the reason is, you are at the right place if you were looking for the best LGA 1156 CPU.

LGA 1156 socket is the successor of LGA 775 & the 771 while its successor is 1155. It supports the DDR3 SDRAM memory channel and the form factor of this chip is a Flip-chip land grid array. Since this socket is mostly found at the 1st gen series of Core i7, Core i5, Core i3 & 300 series of Xeon processors, we have tried to include all types of these CPUs here. The following discussion may help you find the best LGA 1156 CPU for gaming or editing or even some overclocking.

5 Best LGA 1156 CPU

Model	Cores / Threads	Core Clock / Boost Clock	Price
Intel Core i7-875K Processor	4/8	2.93/3.60 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i7-880 Processor	4/8	3.06/3.73 GHz	Check Price
Intel Xeon Processor X3480	4/8	3.06/3.73 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i3-550 Processor	2/4	3.20/- GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i3-550 Processor	4/4	2.66/3.20 GHz	Check Price

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Intel Core i7-875K Processor

The Intel Core i7 875K is a very fast processor out of the box. When you set it up and run for the first time, you will feel the breeze and how fast this one runs. It offers incredible performance in gaming, video editing, and also overclocking. It is easy to overclock, the BIOS setting also has an easy setup. Whether you are a hard-core gamer or an overclocker or even do both enthusiastically, it will hold on for you. This all-rounder processor has an unlocked CPU multiplier which makes it up for the overclocking enthusiasts. Even if takes a little more money than its previous ones, it is thrice as better than them. The price is pretty reasonable and you will get what you pay for. 

The Core i7-875K is the best LGA 1156 CPU so far that runs faster, better, and comes at a pretty decent price. The overclocking is rock-solid and once you get familiar with it, it will become a fun play to you. It does not come with a heatsink and you will need an additional cooler. However, it runs cool even under load which is why you do not have to buy a powerful cooler. Also, a good GPU will suffice if you are working on videos, films, and like play games with crisp & smooth graphics. 

This processor offers extra four simulated cores which work alongside the physical four cores and the performance is awesome. You can render films and videos faster. It is the fastest lga 1156 CPU till now and makes your system so much better than before. It runs fast, cool, has an unlocked multiplier, comes at a reasonable price, and can do anything you throw at it. So what else is needed? Nothing. It has everything the best lga 1156 CPU can have.

Key Features & Downsides

Key features: The Intel Core i7 875K features 4/8 cores/threads, and 95W of TDP. It also features 2.5 GT/s Bus Speed, 8 MB Intel smart cache, and 45nm based lithography. The processor base clock speed is 2.93 GHz and the Max turbo boost clock speed is 3.60 GHz. It also features 2 x DDR3 memory channels that support 16 GB memory size and 21 GB/s memory clock speed. As for the integrated panel, it uses a max of 16 x PCI Express 2.0 lanes.

Downsides: It has no included heatsink or integrated graphics.

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Intel Core i7-880 Processor

The Intel Core i7-880 is a quad-core processor based on 45nm architecture. It is a lot faster and quicker than its predecessors. This 1156 socket CPU has a very good performance and offers satisfactory results in any modern game. This Intel-manufactured processor is one of the best CPUs in this quota. It supports 64-bit Computing and can run up to 3.50 GHz. Also, it supports hyper-threading technology. Including Intel virtualization technology, the Core i7 880 does a lot better. This high-end desktop processor offers most of its best performance in gaming. Though it is relatively old being released in 2010, the speed is still pretty good to run present games and do some productivity. 

Core i7-880 does not have quite good results in heavy multitasking or heavy productivity work. Moreover, the price also does not make it fairer and valuer. It also heats pretty quickly which is why it is better if you get an aftermarket cooler. When you let go of these few drawbacks, this is still a great CPU. It has good reflexes and can present moderate performance in overall everything.

Key Features & Downsides

Key features: Intel Core i7-880 processor comes with 4 cores and 8 threads. It features an 8 MB cache, 95 W of total TDP, 2.5 GT/s of bus speed, and 45 nm Lynnfield technology. The Base and Max Turbo Frequency of this CPU are respectively 3.06 GHz and 3.73 GHz. It has 2 x DDR3 memory channels supporting 16 GB max memory size and 21 GB/s max memory bandwidth. Also, it has 16 x PCI Express 2.0 with 1×16 &  2×8 configurations.
Downsides: It has no integrated Graphics, and needs a good aftermarket cooler. Also, it does not offer good results in heavy multitasking/productivity work.

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Intel Xeon Processor X3480

Intel Xeon Processor X3480 is a reliable one and also performs well. This one is also a quad-core CPU and is based on 45nm lithography. It has good working performance and an easy installation process. If you follow the instruction, assembling it would not take more than ten minutes. If you are trying to upgrade your old LGA 1156 CPU which is supposed to upgrade the whole system, X3480 is definitely a better choice. It will run twice as faster as before and the performances will skyrocket. It works fast and supports more synchronous threads. Though it does not feature integrated graphics, as a first-gen processor it offers a lot. However, the price to performance and the value does not match. The price is high but there is no upgrade or improvement in performance.

The Xeon X3480 is one of the fastest Xeon first-gen processors and an LGA 1156 CPU. It will work just fine even if the temperature gets too high. The included heatsink part will help you even if a little for a better cooling atmosphere. However, it may not be enough if you do gaming, multitasking, or heavy workloads. This reliable processor has good construction and a solid build. 

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: The Intel Xeon Processor X3480 comes with 4 cores and 8 threads. It features 45 nm lithography technology, 2.5 GT/s Bus Speed, 95 W of total TDP, and 8 MB cache. Its Base frequency is 3.06 GHz and the max Turbo frequency is 3.73 GHz. It includes a max of 16 x PCI Express 2.0. Moreover, it features 2 x DDR3 memory channels supporting 32GB max memory size and 21 GB/s max memory clock speed.

Downsides: Apart from the pricey cost, it has no fault worth mentioning.

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Intel Core i3-550 Processor

The Intel Core i3 550, an i3 processor comes with excellent speed and potential. It works fine and runs cool. The pricing is so much better and could not be lesser than this. That’s why the price to performance value remains great. Whether you want it to build a Gaming PC or intend to do video/photo editing, this one slaps. It is quick and won’t make you broken in terms of price. Video rendering does not take long and is smooth. Gaming results are well-performed and the overall performance is excellent as well. The dual-core technology helps and ensures well-performed multitasking. It can even handle heavy multitasking. Four-way multitasking is always a better option.

The installation process is also simple and quite easy, you just have to follow the right instructions. Whether it is for a gaming rig or a non-gaming rig, the Intel Core i3-550 performs really well and goes on for a long time. It has HD integrated graphics that was used on the previous processors.

Key Features & Downsides

Key features: The Core i3 550 Processor comes with two cores and four threads. It features 32nm lithography technology, 4 MB cache, 2.5 GT/s Bus Speed, 73 W of total TDP, and Intel HD integrated graphics. The graphics support two displays and its base frequency is 733 MHz. The processor base frequency is 3.20 GHz. Moreover, it features 2 x DDR3 memory channels. They support 16.38 GB max memory and 21 GB/s max memory bandwidth. As for expansion options, it includes 16 x PCI Express 2.0.

Downsides: It does not have turbo boost clock speed and the multitasking is pretty average among the competitions.

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Intel Core i3-550 Processor

Intel Core i5 750 is a perfect processor for a gaming build. It is, right now, the cheapest and best budget LGA 1156 CPU on this list. It is the most affordable option right now and the value is also great. It is an outstanding CPU based on “Lynnfield†architecture. All the four cores work together which makes the system faster and offers great performance. You have to make sure that your BIOS is up to date. It heats up pretty easily, and that’s why you may need a better additional cooler. 

If you play high-end and modern games, this one will easily handle them. Also, it handles overclocking easily. It cannot execute more threads simultaneously since its operating frequency is low. 

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: The Intel Core i5 750 includes 4/4 cores/threads, and 95 W of total TDP. The base frequency and max turbo boost frequency are respectively 2.66 GHz and 3.20 GHz. It features an 8 MB Intel cache, 2.5 GT/s Bus Speed, and 45nm lithography technology. It also features 2 x DDR3 memory channels and they support 16 GB max memory & 21 GB/s max memory bandwidth. The expansion slots are 16 x PCI Express 2.0 lanes. 

Downsides: The operating frequency is low and it cannot execute more threads.

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Closing Thought

The LGA 1156 CPUs are pretty old and more upgraded sockets & CPUs are being released continuously. However, this socket & CPUs did not lose their potential and are still offering some of the best performances. Since you have looked for the best LGA 1156 CPU, this article should have been a help to you. Among all these choices, the Intel Core i7 875K is the best one that we have chosen. It is fast, reliable, has great value, and the performance is also incredible. However, that does not mean that all other CPUs do not have good value. The descriptive and overall review of each of these processors should help you choose the best one for you. If we have missed out on anything or made a mistake in this article, please let us know through a comment or you can contact us directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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