Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Beat Saber
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 7700X has the highest boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A budget processor is enough for Beat Saber, and the same chip also covers other lighter games in your library. Every pick has at least eight cores and cost $300 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; a missing max boost is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14400F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
A 65W TDP.
Best for: Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP.
Best for: Buyers who want 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| A 65W TDP. | Buyers who want 65W TDP. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab) |
| 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP. | Buyers who want 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 7700X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (4.6GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Ryzen 7 5700X, which has an AM4 socket. You also get 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14400F the next step up. There is no published rated power figure, whereas the Ryzen 7 5700 offers 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 22MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Socket: LGA1851
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards
- L3 cache of 22MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 7700X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (4.6GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 7 5700 offers 65W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Ryzen 7 5700X, which has DDR4 memory. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Ryzen 7 5700 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W)
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700 is built around a 65W TDP, with a Wraith Spire cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 32MB. Its 4.6GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7700X leads at 5.4GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 7 7700X at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 65W. Like the Ryzen 7 5700X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was priced above the Core i5-14400F and below the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB)
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 7700X (5.4GHz)
Worth a Look4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X stands out for 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP, and it adds DDR4-3200 dual-channel support.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It also offers a 32MB L3 cache and offers an 8 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 7700X on core count (8 cores). It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 on rated power (65W).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 7 5700 and the pricier Ryzen 7 7700X, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its boost clock; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 5.4GHz.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP
- DDR4-3200 dual-channel support
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No published boost clock
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz).
It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 5700X on core count (8 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (125W). An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket.
You get DDR5 memory here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 5700 and its DDR4 memory. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 5700X and the rest. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores)
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and boost clock and rated power are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Ryzen 7 7700X, state L3 cache, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 5700X gives no boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 7700X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Beat Saber
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 7 5700 to 32MB on the Ryzen 7 5700X, a 100% spread. Start with the Ryzen 7 5700X if L3 cache decides it.
How much core count you need
Across these 5 picks core count spans 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 7700X) to 10 cores (the Core Ultra 5 225F). If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 7 7700X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz and the Ryzen 7 5700 sits lowest at 4.6GHz. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 4.9GHz, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Ryzen 7 7700X. The Ryzen 7 5700X gives no boost clock figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 5700X list DDR4; the Ryzen 7 7700X lists DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 7 7700X go without; the Ryzen 7 5700 has it.
How to Choose a CPUs for Beat Saber
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 65W TDP | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP |
| Buyers who want 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP | Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 7700X | The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X at 32MB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Ryzen 7 5700X leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | Not listed | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 7 7700X the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 7 5700, Ryzen 7 5700X, Ryzen 7 7700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 7 7700X or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Ryzen 7 7700X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 4.9GHz, 10% apart. The Ryzen 7 5700 closes the ranking at 4.6GHz. No boost clock figure is published for the Ryzen 7 5700X, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Ryzen 7 7700X add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
On paper it adds L3 cache (32MB against 22MB) and boost clock (5.4GHz against 4.9GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 225F still leads on core count (10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 7700X in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 7700X our Highest Boost Clock pick?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). On boost clock it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 5.4GHz against 4.9GHz, a 10% margin. The price of that: the Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, still beats it on core count (10 cores against 8 cores). It makes sense for anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 7 5700X use AM4; the Ryzen 7 7700X uses AM5.
What extras do the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F include?
The Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. The Core i5-14400F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. The Ryzen 7 5700: a 65W TDP.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 225F, chosen for the lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. Look at the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, the Ryzen 7 5700 for a 65W TDP and the Ryzen 7 5700X for 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.