Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Grand Theft Auto IV
Four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 5 9600X has the highest boost clock; the Ryzen 5 8500G is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Grand Theft Auto IV is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a processor. Every pick has integrated graphics and cost $250 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 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)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (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 Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (8 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X 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.
You also get this: integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card. 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
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz)
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
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 ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 5.3GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores).
Its 105W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 65W. It also comes with 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 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 8500G and the pricier Ryzen 5 9600X, at the time of writing.
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
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W)
Highest Boost Clock3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. Nothing else here matches its 5.4GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 5 7600X comes closest at 5.3GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X at 6 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 65W. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
It was priced above the Ryzen 5 7600X and below the Ryzen 7 7700 at the time of writing. It gives ground on core count, where the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 8 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- Highest boost clock of the picks (5.4GHz)
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Ryzen 7 7700 (8 cores)
Highest Core Count4 of 4
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 core count first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Ryzen 5 8500G was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock (5.3GHz). Nothing else here matches its 8 cores core count; the Ryzen 5 8500G comes closest at 6 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 65W. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the nearest cheaper option. L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 7600X covers it better at 32MB.
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
- Boost clock of 5.3GHz, 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 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 L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 7700, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM5 socket and DDR5 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 7700 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Grand Theft Auto IV
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8500G) to 5.4GHz (the Ryzen 5 9600X). The Ryzen 5 7600X comes second at 5.3GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Ryzen 5 9600X.
Core count
The Ryzen 7 7700 tops core count at 8 cores and the Ryzen 5 9600X sits lowest at 6 cores. The Ryzen 7 7700 is the pick for core count.
Rated power
Here rated power runs from 105W on the Ryzen 5 7600X to 65W on the Ryzen 5 9600X, a 38% spread. The Ryzen 5 9600X is the pick for rated power. The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no rated power figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 5 7600X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box.
Budget
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Grand Theft Auto IV
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 |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 5 7600X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 9600X | The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 7 7700 | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads on boost clock at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G leaves 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 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
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 7700 the highest ($150 to $250) 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 9600X, Ryzen 7 7700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 9600X or the Ryzen 5 7600X?
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz; the Ryzen 5 7600X follows at 5.3GHz, 2% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 8500G at 5GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 7700 ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G on core count?
The Ryzen 7 7700 leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 8500G at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 7 7700 add over the Ryzen 5 8500G?
The spec sheets show boost clock (5.3GHz against 5GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores) in its favour. On our last price check the Ryzen 5 8500G was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 7700 in the $150 to $250 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 7700 our Highest Core Count pick?
It earns the label for 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 $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts core count first.
Does the Ryzen 5 8500G have cooler in box, and which others do?
The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X do not.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X include?
The Ryzen 5 8500G: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 7600X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture.
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 7600X for the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 9600X for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) and the Ryzen 7 7700 for the highest core count here (8 cores) if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.