Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Call of Duty 4
From the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 7700: five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Call of Duty 4 does not push current hardware, so this guide is about the lowest-cost processor that suits a wider library. Every pick is an AM5 processor that cost $330 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 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)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box.
Best for: Spending more than the Ryzen 7 9700X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (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 Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box. | Spending more than the Ryzen 7 9700X costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. Its 5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz. 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.
Another plus: integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas 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
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G at 6 cores.
It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
It was priced above the Ryzen 5 8500G and below the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing. It gives ground on core count, where the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 8 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 Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores)
Strong Alternative3 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 want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores.
You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
It was priced above the Ryzen 5 7600X and below the Ryzen 7 9700X at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
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
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Ryzen 5 8500G was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Its 5.5GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 7700X comes next at 5.4GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 on core count (8 cores).
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7700, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 7600X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
Cons
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700 is built around an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box, with an unlocked 8-core AM5 processor on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the Ryzen 7 9700X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- The maker gives no boost clock, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8 cores core count and offers a 16 threads. 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: no published boost clock.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 7 9700X. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 7600X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box
- Unlocked 8-core AM5 processor
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G
Cons
- No published boost clock
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and boost clock are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 7700, state core count, threads and socket and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 7700 gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 7700 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Call of Duty 4
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much core count you need
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7600X) to 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 7700X). If core count is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 7700X sets the ceiling at 8 cores.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G to 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X, a 10% spread. The Ryzen 7 7700X comes second at 5.4GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 9700X. The Ryzen 7 7700 gives no boost clock figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 7600X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost. The Ryzen 7 7700: an unlocked 8-core AM5 processor.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up: the Ryzen 5 8500G. Buyers who put boost clock first: the Ryzen 7 9700X. Spending more than the Ryzen 7 9700X costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Ryzen 7 7700.
How to Choose a CPUs for Call of Duty 4
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 want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 7 7700X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
| Spending more than the Ryzen 7 9700X costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Ryzen 7 7700 | The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 7700X leads on core count at 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9700X at 8 cores. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 leave 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 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | Not listed | Not listed | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 8500G, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 7700 at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 7 7700X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 7700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz, with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 8500G closes the ranking at 5GHz. The Ryzen 7 7700 doesn't state a boost clock figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 7 7700 worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 8500G?
What it brings is core count (8 cores against 6 cores). The Ryzen 5 8500G sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 7700 in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if core count decides your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 9700X the Highest Boost Clock?
It carries the badge for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). The Ryzen 7 7700X is next on boost clock at 5.4GHz, so this pick's 5.5GHz is 2% further out. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts boost clock first.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X do not. The maker of the Ryzen 7 9700X doesn't state cooler in box, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X apart?
The Ryzen 5 8500G: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 7600X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture.
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 7700X for the Zen 4 architecture and the Ryzen 7 9700X for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward an SSD or more memory.