Intel G-series Pentium Processors
 

What's performance like with Intel's G-series Processors? The latest in the range are the G645 and the G2020 Processors. Has anyone tried them?

They are an excellent value. Most of them are not far off from the i3. Depends on what one you are talking about however. The latest and best are the Pentium G series Ivy Bridge. There are also the Celeron G Series Ivy bridge which have less l3 cache.

It would be helpful to give us an idea of the use so we can help you better.

Thanks for the prompt response. I intend setting up an internet café and am considering installing PC's with the Intel G645 Processors instead of the i-series processors which are currently quite pricey. I expect customers to only access the internet and check their e-mail and, I reasoned that high-spec machines would be an overkill. Would you agree? At a later stage, once I am off the ground, I will install high-spec machines for gaming and so cater for a wider customer base.

That's all a non-gaming cafe machine needs. Put them in B75 motherboards.

Well, that is a Sandy Bridge CPU and it is a very good value. If you can locate an ASUS P8B75-M LX PLUS or a ASUS P8B75-V, life is good.

I have a Celeron G540 and I'm surprised how well it runs.

The Celeron G530/540/550 slightly trail the Pentium G600-series in benchmark tests, but in real world use the difference is imperceptible. The same applies to the the Celeron G1610/1620 compared to the Pentium G2000-series.

The 2.5GHz G540 is only $49.99 vs. $67.99 for the 2.7GHz Pentium G630 on Newegg. The only difference I can find in the specs is 2mb vs. 3mb of Intel Smart Cache (L3 cache, if I'm not mistaken).

The G540 would be more than enough power for your intended use.

That's correct. After I built my Celeron system I started building an i3 system buying better parts month by month taking advantage of sale prices and discounts at Newegg. I ended up with an i3-2105 system and it only has a small advantage over the Celeron system which is hyper-threading and bigger cache.

That made me realize how good the Celeron system is and I decided not to sell it.