Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Blue Prince
Four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Core i5-14600K has the highest core count; the Ryzen 5 8500G is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Blue Prince is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a processor. Every pick has integrated graphics and cost $250 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | 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) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8500G is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with Radeon graphics built in on top.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 7 7700; the Core i5-14600K goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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.
Worth noting: integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card. It undercut the Ryzen 5 7600X and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon graphics built in
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz)
Also Consider2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 and the Core i5-14600K at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G on core count (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 7 7700 (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-14600K (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 7 7700; the Core i5-14600K goes with an LGA1700 socket.
You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 8500G and the pricier Ryzen 7 7700, at the time of writing. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core i5-14600K offers 14 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 12
- 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
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
Lowest Rated Power3 of 4
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
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Ryzen 5 8500G was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Core i5-14600K on boost clock (5.3GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 8 cores: the Core i5-14600K offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 7600X comes in at 6 cores. On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (105W). Like the Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 5 7600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600K uses an LGA1700 socket.
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 Ryzen 5 7600X 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
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600K
Cons
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Highest Core Count4 of 4
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
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 is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 32MB.
It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700 on boost clock (5.3GHz). On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (8 cores). On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W.
No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 7600X, which has an AM5 socket. It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 8500G has DDR5 memory instead. Only the Ryzen 7 7700 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
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
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600X (32MB)
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (65W)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four 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 4 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Core i5-14600K, state boost clock, core count and threads and share integrated graphics.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14600K ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Blue Prince
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G to 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 6% spread. Start with the Ryzen 5 7600X if boost clock decides it.
How much core count you need
Across these 4 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7600X) to 14 cores (the Core i5-14600K). For less, the Ryzen 7 7700 is the runner-up at 8 cores ($150 to $250 tier).
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 7600X tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Core i5-14600K sits lowest at 24MB; 2 picks share the top figure. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 5 7600X sets the ceiling at 32MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700 list DDR5; the Core i5-14600K lists DDR4 or DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Core i5-14600K go without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 2.
How to Choose a CPUs for Blue Prince
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up | Ryzen 5 8500G | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 5 7600X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 7700 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600K | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads on boost clock at 5.3GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 at 5.3GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 8500G was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Core i5-14600K the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 7 7700, Core i5-14600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 7 7700 compare with the Core i5-14600K on core count?
The Core i5-14600K leads at 14 cores, with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 7600X at 6 cores.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 7 7700 or the Ryzen 5 7600X?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 7700 against 105W on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 38% difference. The Core i5-14600K closes the ranking at 125W. The Ryzen 5 8500G is left out of this ranking because its rated power isn't stated; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
What does the Core i5-14600K add over the Ryzen 5 8500G?
What it brings is boost clock (5.3GHz against 5GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 8500G was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14600K in the $150 to $250 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-14600K our Highest Core Count pick?
It earns the label for the highest core count here (14 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 7 7700, 14 cores against 8 cores, a 75% margin. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts core count first.
Do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core i5-14600K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700 use AM5; the Core i5-14600K uses LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X include?
The Ryzen 5 8500G: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 7600X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Ryzen 5 7600X for the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W) and the Core i5-14600K for the highest core count here (14 cores) if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.