Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Disco Elysium
From the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Core i5-14400F: three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Disco Elysium is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a processor. Every pick has at least six cores and cost $170 or less, ordered by boost clock.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The highest boost clock here (5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-14400F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 of 3
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
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz). It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
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 Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Core i5-14400F cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 225F instead: it offers 22MB, while this one gives no figure.
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
- Highest boost clock of the picks (5GHz)
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores)
Largest Game Cache2 of 3
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
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 4.7GHz. It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores).
You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core i5-14400F and its an LGA1700 socket. It also comes with 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 8500G was the next step up. The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
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
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (22MB)
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Premium Pick3 of 3
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.7GHz, while the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores).
An LGA1700 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket. It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. 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 Ryzen 5 8500G and the rest.
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
- Core count of 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and threads, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Core i5-14400F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache; 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 i5-14400F ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Disco Elysium
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 3 picks boost clock spans 4.7GHz (the Core i5-14400F) to 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8500G). For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz ($100 to $150 tier).
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 8500G to 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 67% spread. If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
L3 cache
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops L3 cache at 22MB and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 20MB. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 22MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 8500G lists DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 8500G has it; the Core i5-14400F goes without.
How to Choose a CPUs for Disco Elysium
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 8500G | The highest boost clock here (5GHz) |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 8500G leads on boost clock at 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | 12 |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 16 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core Ultra 5 225F, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core i5-14400F at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F, Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 5 8500G ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 8500G tops boost clock at 5GHz; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 4.9GHz, 2% apart. The Core i5-14400F is at the other end of this group with 4.7GHz.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Core i5-14400F?
Between the top two, it is 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 20MB on the Core i5-14400F, a 10% difference. The Ryzen 5 8500G is left out of this ranking because its L3 cache isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
Is the Core i5-14400F worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core i5-14400F matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock, core count and L3 cache, 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 boost clock (4.9GHz) and L3 cache (22MB). The Core Ultra 5 225F sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14400F in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them.
What makes the Ryzen 5 8500G the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F is next on boost clock at 4.9GHz, so this pick's 5GHz is 2% further out. It gives up core count (6 cores against 10 cores) to the Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick. It suits anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 8500G uses AM5; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F apart?
The Ryzen 5 8500G: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. The Core i5-14400F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5GHz). Look at the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Confirm the cooler you plan to use fits the socket; some boxed processors include one.