Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for BioShock
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 7700 has the largest L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
BioShock runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. 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 rated power 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)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600K
The highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i7-9700K
The top of this price range, adding 8 cores without Hyper-Threading.
Best for: Spending more than the Core i5-14600K costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K (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) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (14 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding 8 cores without Hyper-Threading. | Spending more than the Core i5-14600K costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K (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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required.
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 7700 (32MB) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (12MB). It matches the Core i7-9700K on boost clock (4.9GHz).
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 Core i5-14600K, which has an LGA1700 socket. It also offers 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. 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 7700 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
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 7700 (32MB) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (12MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7700 leads at 5.3GHz.
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 125W. Like the Core i5-14600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core i7-9700K uses an LGA1151 socket.
Like the Core i5-14600K, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 7700 uses DDR5 memory. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Ryzen 7 7700 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 Core i7-9700K
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (5.3GHz)
Largest Game Cache3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700 is the 65W version of the 7700X and ships with a Wraith Prism cooler.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Core Ultra 5 225F was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. Nothing else here matches its 32MB L3 cache; the Core i5-14600K comes closest at 24MB. It matches the Core i5-14600K on boost clock (5.3GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i7-9700K at 8 cores. Its 65W rated power is the lowest here; the Core i7-9700K comes next at 95W. It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR5 memory; compare the Core i5-14600K, which has DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14600K cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Highest Core Count4 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. Its 24MB L3 cache ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 7700 (32MB) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (12MB).
It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on boost clock (5.3GHz). Nothing else here matches its 14 cores core count; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 125W.
Like the Core i5-14400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core i7-9700K uses an LGA1151 socket. Like the Core i5-14400F, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 7700 uses DDR5 memory. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 7700 and below the Core i7-9700K at the time of writing. It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (65W)
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-9700K has eight cores without Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier.
Best for
- Spending more than the Core i5-14600K costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the most common upgrade for a Z370 or Z390 board still running a four- or six-core chip. Its 12MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7700 leads at 32MB. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock (4.9GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 95W: the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W, and the Core i5-14600K comes in at 125W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1151 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 memory; compare the Core i5-14400F, which has DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It also offers Intel UHD Graphics 630 and DDR4-2666 support up to 64GB. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14600K the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 12MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 95W
- Threads: 8
- Socket: LGA1151
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 cores without Hyper-Threading
- Unlocked multiplier
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (32MB)
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out rated power.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Core i7-9700K, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Core i7-9700K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for BioShock
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 5 picks L3 cache spans 12MB (the Core i7-9700K) to 32MB (the Ryzen 7 7700). If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 7700 sets the ceiling at 32MB.
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 7 7700 tops boost clock at 5.3GHz and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 4.7GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. The Ryzen 7 7700 is the pick for boost clock.
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Core i7-9700K to 14 cores on the Core i5-14600K, a 75% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 10 cores, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core i5-14600K.
Memory
The Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-14600K list DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 7700 lists DDR5; the Core i7-9700K lists DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Core i5-14400F, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i7-9700K go without; the Ryzen 7 7700 has it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for BioShock
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 |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 7 7700 | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600K | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
| Spending more than the Core i5-14600K costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Core i7-9700K | The top of this price range, adding 8 cores without Hyper-Threading |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 7700 leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600K at 24MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core Ultra 5 225F 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 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-9700K | 12MB | 4.9GHz | 8 cores | 95W |
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 Core i7-9700K the highest ($250 to $500) 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 7700, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-9700K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Ryzen 7 7700 or the Core i5-14600K?
Between the top two, it is 32MB on the Ryzen 7 7700 against 24MB on the Core i5-14600K, a 33% difference. The Core i7-9700K closes the ranking at 12MB.
Is the Core i5-14600K ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count?
The Core i5-14600K tops core count at 14 cores; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 10 cores, 40% apart. The Core i7-9700K is at the other end of this group with 8 cores.
How does the Core i7-9700K compare with the Ryzen 7 7700 on rated power?
The Ryzen 7 7700 comes out best at 65W, with the Core i7-9700K at 95W. The Core i5-14600K is at the other end of this group with 125W. No rated power figure is published for the Core Ultra 5 225F, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Core i7-9700K add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core i7-9700K matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache, boost clock and core count, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 225F still leads on L3 cache (22MB) and core count (10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i7-9700K in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the Core i5-14600K our Highest Core Count pick?
The label rests on the highest core count here (14 cores). On core count it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 14 cores against 10 cores, a 40% margin. The Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts core count 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 and the Core i5-14600K use LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 7700 uses AM5; the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151.
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 Core i5-14600K for the highest core count here (14 cores) and the Core i7-9700K for the top of this price range, adding 8 cores without Hyper-Threading if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.