Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for DayZ
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 9 7900X has the largest L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 7700 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
DayZ is CPU-limited in towns and on busy servers. Every pick has 32MB+ of L3 and a 5GHz+ boost and cost $350 or less.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The highest core count here (20 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest core count here (20 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (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) |
Our Picks
Highest Core Count1 of 3
Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. Its 33MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock (5.6GHz).
Nothing else here matches its 20 cores core count; the Ryzen 9 7900X comes closest at 12 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 125W: the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W, and the Ryzen 9 7900X comes in at 170W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Ryzen 9 7900X has an AM5 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Ryzen 9 7900X, which has DDR5 memory. It also offers 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 33MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 28
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700 at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AI rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. Nothing else here matches its 64MB L3 cache; the Core i7-14700KF comes closest at 33MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i7-14700KF at 5.6GHz.
Its 12 cores core count ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (8 cores). Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 7 7700 leads at 65W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 7700; the Core i7-14700KF goes with an LGA1700 socket.
It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Core i7-14700KF and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 170W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (65W)
Lowest Rated Power3 of 3
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
- Skip it if L3 cache matters most to you; the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. Its 32MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB. Its 5.3GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 5.6GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 20 cores. On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Core i7-14700KF (125W). Like the Ryzen 9 7900X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i7-14700KF 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i7-14700KF was closest.
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
- The lowest rated power here (65W)
Cons
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz)
- Core count trails the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core i7-14700KF to the Ryzen 7 7700, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core i7-14700KF for the highest core count here (20 cores); the Ryzen 9 7900X for the largest L3 cache here (64MB); the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 7700 ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 7900X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for DayZ
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 32MB on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900X. The Core i7-14700KF comes second for less money.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700KF. The Core i7-14700KF is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 7700 to 20 cores on the Core i7-14700KF. Start with the Core i7-14700KF if core count decides it.
Memory
The Core i7-14700KF lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 7700 list DDR5. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Cooler in box
The Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X go without; the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose a CPUs for DayZ
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i7-14700KF | The highest core count here (20 cores) |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 9 7900X | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 7700 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 7 7700 was the lowest-priced pick and the Ryzen 9 7900X the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 7700 |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-14700KF, Ryzen 9 7900X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 9 7900X ahead of the Core i7-14700KF on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB, with the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB. The Ryzen 7 7700 is at the other end of this group with 32MB.
How does the Ryzen 9 7900X compare with the Core i7-14700KF on core count?
The Core i7-14700KF leads at 20 cores, with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 12 cores. The Ryzen 7 7700 is at the other end of this group with 8 cores.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 7 7700 or the Core i7-14700KF?
The Ryzen 7 7700 comes out best at 65W, with the Core i7-14700KF at 125W. The Ryzen 9 7900X is at the other end of this group with 170W.
What does the Ryzen 9 7900X add over the Ryzen 7 7700?
On paper it adds L3 cache (64MB against 32MB), boost clock (5.6GHz against 5.3GHz) and core count (12 cores against 8 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 7 7700 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 7 7700 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 9 7900X our Largest Game Cache pick?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). It suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X differ on socket?
The Core i7-14700KF uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 7700 use AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i7-14700KF, chosen for the highest core count here (20 cores). Look at the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W) if those matter more to you.
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