Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Ghost of Tsushima
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Ryzen 5 7600X has the highest boost clock, and the Ryzen 5 8500G costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Ghost of Tsushima lists a Core i5-8600 or Ryzen 5 3600 for its recommended tier. Every pick is an AM5 processor with at least six cores that cost $300 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Ghost of Tsushima's official PC requirements list Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 8600G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G are a newer generation than the Ryzen 5 3600.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G
Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Best for: Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
| Radeon 760M integrated graphics. | Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5. | Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (8 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
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 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 7500F at 5GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 7500F on core count (6 cores).
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. It undercut the Ryzen 5 7600X and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB.
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
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Boost clock of 5GHz, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz)
Largest Game Cache2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
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: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.3GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 8700G (5.1GHz). It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 7500F on core count (6 cores).
You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. 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 cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 8500G and the pricier Ryzen 5 8600G, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8600G pairs six cores with Radeon 760M graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It can run a PC without a graphics card until you buy one. It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F on boost clock (5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 7500F at 6 cores.
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. Another plus: 65W rating suits a modest air cooler. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 7600X and below the Ryzen 5 7500F at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- 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
- Radeon 760M integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 5 7500F brings to the table is a low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5, plus DDR5 memory support.
Best for
- Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 8600G on boost clock (5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 8600G at 6 cores.
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. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 8600G and below the Ryzen 7 8700G at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
Pros
- Low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5
- DDR5 memory support
- 5GHz boost clock
- 6 cores core count
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz)
- Core count trails the Ryzen 7 8700G (8 cores)
Highest Core Count5 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 core count first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Ryzen 5 8500G, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 5.3GHz, and the Ryzen 5 7500F comes in at 5GHz. Nothing else here matches its 8 cores core count; the Ryzen 5 8500G comes closest at 6 cores.
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. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 5 7500F and the rest. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB.
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
- Boost clock of 5.1GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G
Cons
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 8700G, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM5 socket and DDR5 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 8700G ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Ghost of Tsushima
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 7500F) to 5.3GHz (the Ryzen 5 7600X). If boost clock is your first filter, the Ryzen 5 7600X sets the ceiling at 5.3GHz.
How much core count you need
The Ryzen 7 8700G tops core count at 8 cores and the Ryzen 5 7500F sits lowest at 6 cores. The Ryzen 7 8700G is the pick for core count.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 8600G to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 100% spread. The Ryzen 5 7600X is the pick for L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G give no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 5 8600G: Radeon 760M integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 7500F: DDR5 memory support. The Ryzen 7 8700G: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 7500F; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 8700G at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Ghost of Tsushima
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up | Ryzen 5 8500G | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 5 7600X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics | Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon 760M integrated graphics |
| Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 | Ryzen 5 7500F | A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 7 8700G | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads on boost clock at 5.3GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 8700G at 5.1GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | 16MB | 5GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7500F | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Not listed | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 8500G was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 7 8700G the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 5 8600G, Ryzen 5 7500F |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Ghost of Tsushima at recommended settings?
In Ghost of Tsushima's list, the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 8600G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Ghost of Tsushima also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
How does the Ryzen 7 8700G compare with the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock?
Between the top two, it is 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X against 5.1GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700G, a 4% difference. The Ryzen 5 7500F is at the other end of this group with 5GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 7 8700G or the Ryzen 5 8500G?
The Ryzen 7 8700G tops core count at 8 cores; the Ryzen 5 8500G follows at 6 cores, 33% apart.
Is the Ryzen 5 7600X ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 32MB, with the Ryzen 5 8600G at 16MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Ryzen 7 8700G are left out of this ranking because their L3 cache isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 7 8700G add over the Ryzen 5 8500G?
What it brings is boost clock (5.1GHz against 5GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 8500G was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 8700G in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 8700G our Highest Core Count pick?
The label rests on the highest core count here (8 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 5 8500G, 8 cores against 6 cores, a 33% margin. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts core count first.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Ryzen 5 8600G for Radeon 760M integrated graphics, the Ryzen 5 7500F for a low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 and the Ryzen 7 8700G for the highest core count here (8 cores) if those matter more to you.
AM5 boards use DDR5 only, so budget for the memory as well.