Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Dominions 5
We weighed four processors on L3 cache and boost clock, and the Core i3-14100 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Dominions 5 runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick is an LGA1700 processor that cost $260 or less, ordered from the highest price.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and if a maker skips cores / threads, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-14600K
The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i5-12400
18MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 18MB of cache.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i3-14100
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-12400.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i3-14100 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab) |
| 18MB of cache. | Buyers who want 18MB of cache. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-12400. | Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up. | Check price for Intel Core i3-14100 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 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
- Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. It matches the Core i5-14600KF on L3 cache (24MB).
It matches the Core i5-14600KF on boost clock (5.3GHz). On core count it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 14 cores. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
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. Only the Core i5-14600KF came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Core i3-14100; by contrast, the Core i3-14100 has it.
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
- Costs more than the Core i3-14100 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. It matches the Core i5-14600K on L3 cache (24MB). It matches the Core i5-14600K on boost clock (5.3GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 14 cores. It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. 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. When we checked, only the Core i5-12400 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14600K cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Core i3-14100; by contrast, the Core i3-14100 has it.
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: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i3-14100 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Intel Core i5-12400 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i5-12400 brings to the table is 18MB of cache, plus a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo.
Best for
- Buyers who want 18MB of cache.
Skip if
- Skip it if boost clock matters most to you; the Core i5-14600K offers 5.3GHz.
Why we like it
The maker lists 18MB of L3 cache and an LGA1700 socket, so it needs a compatible board. Built-in Intel UHD Graphics 730 supports up to four monitors, which lets you set up the PC before adding a graphics card. Its 18MB L3 cache ranks third of 4 here, behind the Core i5-14600K (24MB) and ahead of the Core i3-14100 (12MB).
Its 4.4GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i5-14600K leads at 5.3GHz. 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.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Socket: LGA1700
Pros
- 18MB of cache
- 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Core i3-14100
Cons
- Boost clock trails the Core i5-14600K (5.3GHz)
- No published core count
- No published rated power
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
Intel Core i3-14100 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i3-14100 stands out for 4 performance cores and no E-cores, and it adds an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12MB L3 cache and offers a 4.7GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it trails the group at 12MB, while the Core i5-14600K offers 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Core i5-14600K offers 5.3GHz, and the Core i5-12400 comes in at 4.4GHz.
Its 4 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core i5-14600K leads at 14 cores. 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. It undercut the Core i5-12400 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 12MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 4 cores
- Socket: LGA1700
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 4 performance cores and no E-cores
- Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Core i5-12400
Cons
- 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- L3 cache trails the Core i5-14600K (24MB)
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- 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 core count.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Core i5-14600K to the Core i3-14100, state L3 cache, boost clock and socket and share LGA1700 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i5-12400 gives no core count; the Core i5-12400 and the Core i3-14100 give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i3-14100 ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14600K ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Dominions 5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 4 picks L3 cache spans 12MB (the Core i3-14100) to 24MB (the Core i5-14600K). The Core i5-14600KF comes second at 24MB, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core i5-14600K.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i5-14600K tops boost clock at 5.3GHz and the Core i5-12400 sits lowest at 4.4GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the Core i5-14600KF is the runner-up at 5.3GHz ($150 to $250 tier).
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 4 cores on the Core i3-14100 to 14 cores on the Core i5-14600K, a 250% spread. The Core i5-14600KF comes second at 14 cores, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core i5-14600K. The Core i5-12400 gives no core count figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Core i5-14600KF: an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-12400: a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo. The Core i3-14100: an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the Core i3-14100; $150 to $250 buys the Core i5-12400, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14600K at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Dominions 5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Core i5-14600K | The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600KF | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 18MB of cache | Core i5-12400 | 18MB of cache |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up | Core i3-14100 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-12400 |
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Key specs side by side
The Core i5-14600K leads on L3 cache at 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB. "Not listed" marks core count where the Core i5-12400 leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-12400 | 18MB | 4.4GHz | Not listed | Not listed |
| Core i3-14100 | 12MB | 4.7GHz | 4 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core i3-14100 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 | Core i3-14100 |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-12400, Core i5-14600KF, Core i5-14600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Core i5-14600K add over the Core i3-14100?
What it brings is L3 cache (24MB against 12MB), boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.7GHz) and core count (14 cores against 4 cores). On our last price check the Core i3-14100 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 L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i3-14100 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-12400. It suits spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up.
Does the Core i3-14100 have cooler in box, and which others do?
The Core i3-14100 has it; the Core i5-14600K and the Core i5-14600KF do not. The Core i5-12400 has no cooler in box listed, so 3 of 4 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Core i5-14600K and the Core i5-14600KF include?
The Core i5-14600K: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-12400: 18MB of cache.
Should I pick the Core i5-14600K or the Core i3-14100?
The Core i5-14600K suits spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group; the Core i3-14100 suits spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-12400 the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i5-14600K, chosen for the top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, the Core i5-12400 for 18MB of cache and the Core i3-14100 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-12400 if those matter more to you.
Confirm the cooler you plan to use fits the socket; some boxed processors include one.