Intel Core i5-750 Buyer's Guide
Positioning and generation
The Intel Core i5-750 is a desktop processor from Intel's first generation of Core chips, and it sits in our very old / entry level band. By today's standards it is clearly behind, and its main value now is in maintaining older systems or handling basic play on a tight budget.
It has 4 cores and 4 threads and no integrated graphics, so you need a separate graphics card to get any picture. In our ranking it sits just above the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 but below the Intel Core i3-2100 and the Intel Core i7-920, which are newer or higher-end choices.
Key specs explained
The only specifications we hold for this chip are its core and thread counts: 4 cores and 4 threads. In games, more cores let the processor handle game logic, physics and background tasks at the same time. Four threads means each core runs one task at a time, so newer games that spread work across many threads will tend to push it hard.
Because there is no integrated graphics, your frame quality depends mostly on the graphics card and its video memory (VRAM). The processor handles the CPU side of the work while the graphics card draws the image, so both matter. Other specifications such as clock speed, cache size and power draw are not recorded in our data, so we do not cover them here.
Suitable games and resolutions
Of the 439 games in our catalogue that have official requirements, we can assess 416 against this processor. 306 of those are below the official minimum, 66 only meet the minimum, 28 meet the recommended level, and 16 are well above the recommended level. Most modern games will be a stretch for it, and only lighter titles will run comfortably.
Examples that meet the recommended level or better include Timberborn, Peglin, The Planet Crafter, Witch's Night Banquet, Brotato, Catch Me!, Vampire Survivors and POPGOES Arcade, mostly games with light pacing or modest simulation load. Titles that only reach the minimum include Fields of Mistria, BALL x PIT, Magical Girl Witch Trials, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Dokimon Quest and TCG Card Shop Simulator. For resolution, 1080p with low to medium settings is the sensible target; higher resolutions mainly add load on the graphics card and do little for this processor.
Compared with similar hardware
Close to it in tier and slightly above are the AMD Phenom II X4 965, which shares its tier position, and the Intel Core i3-2100, which sits one step higher. Further up is the Intel Core i7-920. Compared with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, just below it, the gap is small, since both are older quad-core designs. The Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 and AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ sit lower still, and as dual-core or earlier parts they leave far less headroom for modern games.
These comparisons reflect only their relative positions in our ranking, not actual differences in game performance. If you are shopping in this price range, base your choice on the games you actually want to play.
Buying new or used
This processor uses the LGA1156 socket, so make sure the motherboard is also LGA1156; it will not fit otherwise. It was the launch generation of this socket, so you should not need a BIOS update for it. Any specific chipset or BIOS requirements are not recorded in our data, so check the motherboard maker's notes.
The boxed version includes a basic stock cooler; tray units do not.
This processor uses a land grid design: the pins are in the motherboard socket, so take care not to touch them when installing it.
Its multiplier is locked, so it cannot be manually overclocked.
If you are buying used, check the chip and cooler for physical damage, ask the seller for proof of purchase, and confirm the warranty status. Where possible, buy from a source that lets you inspect the item in person, and prefer listings that include the original packaging and accessories.
Upgrade advice
If you already own this processor, an upgrade is only worth it when you need a clear performance gain. The upgrade targets we list are the AMD FX-4300, the Intel Core i3-3220 and the Intel Core i5-2300. All three rank well above it and are newer generations, so they are the right ones to compare.
When you upgrade the processor, look at the graphics card and memory at the same time. If the graphics card is already the bottleneck, a processor swap alone will do little; if the card is fine but memory capacity is low, that will hold back your games. Work out what is limiting the games you play most, then decide whether a processor upgrade is the right fix, and confirm the new chip fits your motherboard socket.