Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Emergency 4
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 8700G has the highest boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Emergency 4 runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick has at least eight cores and cost $300 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14400F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i7-9700
8 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 cores at a 65W rating.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-9700 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
The highest boost clock here (5.1GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
The top of this price range, adding an unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache.
Best for: Spending more than the Ryzen 7 8700G costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 cores at a 65W rating. | Buyers who want 8 cores at a 65W rating. | Check price for Intel Core i7-9700 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.1GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding an unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache. | Spending more than the Ryzen 7 8700G costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 5
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
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 8700G (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X (4.7GHz). On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores.
It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Core i5-14400F has an LGA1700 socket instead. It also offers 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.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i5-14400F was closest. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Core i7-9700 instead: it offers 65W, while this one gives no figure.
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
Also Consider2 of 5
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 who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. It matches the Core i7-9700 and the Ryzen 7 5800X on boost clock (4.7GHz). On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores.
No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 7 8700G, which has an AM5 socket. It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 7 5800X has DDR4 memory instead. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support.
It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Core i7-9700 at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 8700G; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 8700G has it.
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 Core i7-9700
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-9700 is the locked, 65W version of the 9700K.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 cores at a 65W rating.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Core Ultra 5 225F was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It suits B365 and H370 boards that cannot overclock anyway, and the maker notes that some boards need a BIOS update first. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 7 5800X at 4.7GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X on core count (8 cores).
An LGA1151 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 7 5800X; the Ryzen 7 8700G goes with DDR5 memory. It also comes with 8 cores at a 65W rating.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Core i5-14400F and the pricier Ryzen 7 8700G, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 8
- Socket: LGA1151
- Memory: DDR4
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 8 cores at a 65W rating
- Listing note that some boards need a BIOS update first
- LGA1151 socket, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 8700G stands out for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch, and it adds a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Nothing else here matches its 5.1GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 4.9GHz. It matches the Core i7-9700 and the Ryzen 7 5800X on core count (8 cores).
You get an AM5 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 5800X and its an AM4 socket. DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses DDR4 memory. 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.
Its price falls between the Core i7-9700 and the Ryzen 7 5800X, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Core Ultra 5 225F, which offers 22MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- 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
- AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch
- Highest boost clock of the picks (5.1GHz)
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5800X stands out for an unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache, and it adds PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 boards.
Best for
- Spending more than the Ryzen 7 8700G costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.7GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14400F and the Core i7-9700 at 4.7GHz. It matches the Core i7-9700 and the Ryzen 7 8700G on core count (8 cores).
You get an AM4 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 8700G and its an AM5 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Core i7-9700; the Ryzen 7 8700G goes with DDR5 memory. 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 7 8700G. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Core Ultra 5 225F, which offers 22MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
Pros
- Unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache
- PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 boards
- AM4 socket, the only one here
- The top of this price range, adding an unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 8700G (5.1GHz)
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. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Ryzen 7 5800X, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i7-9700, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X give no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 5800X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Emergency 4
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 4.7GHz (the Ryzen 7 5800X) to 5.1GHz (the Ryzen 7 8700G). The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 4.9GHz, in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 8700G.
Core count across these picks
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 7 5800X sits lowest at 8 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count.
How much L3 cache you need
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops L3 cache at 22MB and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 20MB. Start with the Core Ultra 5 225F if L3 cache decides it. The Core i7-9700, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X give no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Core i7-9700 and the Ryzen 7 5800X list DDR4; the Ryzen 7 8700G lists DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 7 5800X go without; the Ryzen 7 8700G has it.
How to Choose a CPUs for Emergency 4
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 8 cores at a 65W rating | Core i7-9700 | 8 cores at a 65W rating |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 8700G | The highest boost clock here (5.1GHz) |
| Spending more than the Ryzen 7 8700G costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Ryzen 7 5800X | The top of this price range, adding an unlocked 8-core chip with 36MB of cache |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 8700G leads on boost clock at 5.1GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Core i7-9700, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-9700 | Not listed | 4.7GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Not listed | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 5800X | Not listed | 4.7GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 7 5800X the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-9700, Ryzen 7 8700G, Ryzen 7 5800X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 7 8700G or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Ryzen 7 8700G tops boost clock at 5.1GHz; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 4.9GHz, 4% apart. The Ryzen 7 5800X is at the other end of this group with 4.7GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB, with the Core i5-14400F at 20MB. No L3 cache figure is published for the Core i7-9700, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Core i7-9700 ahead of the Core i5-14400F on rated power?
The Core i7-9700 comes out best at 65W, with the Core i5-14400F at 125W. No rated power figure is published for the Core Ultra 5 225F, the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 5800X, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Ryzen 7 5800X add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Ryzen 7 5800X matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock and core count, 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 core count (10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 5800X in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the Ryzen 7 8700G our Highest Boost Clock pick?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (5.1GHz). On boost clock it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 5.1GHz against 4.9GHz, a 4% margin. The price of that: the Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, still beats it on core count (10 cores against 8 cores). It suits anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Core i7-9700 uses LGA1151; the Ryzen 7 8700G uses AM5; the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 225F. Look at the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, the Core i7-9700 for 8 cores at a 65W rating and the Ryzen 7 8700G for the highest boost clock here (5.1GHz) if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward an SSD or more memory.