Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Dark Souls III
Three processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Dark Souls III; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick is an AM4 processor that cost $250 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Dark Souls III's official PC requirements list FX 8150 or Core i7 2600 and 8GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). The list names no AMD processor we can rank, so the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 7 5700X can't be matched against it directly.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on core count (6 cores).
It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. 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 the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 5500F was the next step up. The main gap: L3 cache of 16MB, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB). If that matters, the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Also Consider2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores).
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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 7 5700X, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 7 5700X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Largest Game Cache3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On boost clock it leads this guide at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz). On core count it leads this guide at 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores).
It also offers PCIe 4.0 support. 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 5500F the nearest cheaper option. Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 5500 covers it better at 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 8 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, state boost clock, core count and rated power and share AM4 socket and DDR4 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 7 5700X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Dark Souls III
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 4.6GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X, a 10% spread. Start with the Ryzen 7 5700X if boost clock decides it.
Core count across these picks
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops core count at 8 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 6 cores. The Ryzen 7 5700X is the pick for core count.
L3 cache
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 16MB. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 5700X sets the ceiling at 32MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 5500: one of the cheapest six-core desktop chips. The Ryzen 5 5500F: DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache. The Ryzen 7 5700X: PCIe 4.0 support.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the Ryzen 5 5500; $100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 5500F; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 7 5700X at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Dark Souls III
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5500F | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 7 5700X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads on boost clock at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 5500, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 5700X at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 5500 compare with the Ryzen 7 5700X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 4.6GHz, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count?
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops core count at 8 cores; the Ryzen 5 5500 follows at 6 cores, 33% apart.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops L3 cache at 32MB; the Ryzen 5 5500 follows at 16MB, 100% apart. The Ryzen 5 5500F is left out of this ranking because its L3 cache isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
The spec sheets show boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz), core count (8 cores against 6 cores) and L3 cache (32MB against 16MB) in its favour. The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 7 5700X in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 5 5500 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it; the Ryzen 7 5700X does not.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. Look at the Ryzen 5 5500F for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward an SSD or more memory.