Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Guilty Parade
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Core Ultra 5 225F has the largest L3 cache, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Guilty Parade 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 rated power, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
A 65W TDP 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 AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (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) |
| A 65W TDP 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 AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 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
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core i5-14400F comes next at 20MB. Nothing else here matches its 4.9GHz boost clock; the Core i5-14400F comes closest at 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 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. 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 Ryzen 7 5700 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)
- Highest boost clock of the picks (4.9GHz)
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
Also Consider2 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 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. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). 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 Core Ultra 5 225F, which has 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.
It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 7 5700 at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 5700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 5700 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
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700
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
Premium Pick3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700 is built around a 65W TDP, with a Wraith Spire cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB. Its 4.6GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 4.9GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores. It is the only pick here with an AM4 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead. It also comes with a 65W TDP.
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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14400F the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP
- AM4 socket, the only one here
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three 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 3 picks leave out rated power.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Ryzen 7 5700, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power; 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 Ryzen 7 5700 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Guilty Parade
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops L3 cache at 22MB and the Ryzen 7 5700 sits lowest at 16MB. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for L3 cache.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.6GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700 to 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 7% spread. Start with the Core Ultra 5 225F if boost clock decides it.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 5700 to 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 25% spread. If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
Memory
The Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700 lists DDR4.
Cooler in box
The Core i5-14400F goes without; the Ryzen 7 5700 has it.
How to Choose a CPUs for Guilty Parade
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads on L3 cache at 22MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F at 20MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core Ultra 5 225F leaves 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 |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
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 5700 the highest ($150 to $250) 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, Ryzen 7 5700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core i5-14400F compare with the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB, with the Core i5-14400F at 20MB. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 5700 at 16MB.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Core i5-14400F?
Between the top two, it is 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 4.7GHz on the Core i5-14400F, a 4% difference. The Ryzen 7 5700 closes the ranking at 4.6GHz.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 7 5700 or the Core i5-14400F?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 5700 against 125W on the Core i5-14400F, a 48% difference. The Core Ultra 5 225F is left out of this ranking because its rated power isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 7 5700 add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Ryzen 7 5700 matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache, 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 L3 cache (22MB) and boost clock (4.9GHz). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 5700 in the $150 to $250 tier, with 1 other pick between them.
Why is the Core Ultra 5 225F our Largest Game Cache pick?
The label rests on the largest L3 cache here (22MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core i5-14400F, 22MB against 20MB, a 10% margin. It is aimed at games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
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 Ryzen 7 5700 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 and the Ryzen 7 5700 for a 65W TDP at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Match the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) to the board you choose.