Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Hades
From the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 8700G: five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Hades runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick is an AM5 processor that cost $330 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
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)
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)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
The largest L3 cache here (96MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D (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 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 largest L3 cache here (96MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D (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
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (4.7GHz). 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 other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 5 7600X was closest. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 5 7600X3D instead: it offers 96MB, while this one gives no figure.
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
- Boost clock of 5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
Also Consider2 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
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (4.7GHz).
On rated power it trails the group at 105W, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 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. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 8500G cost less, and the Ryzen 5 9600X cost more.
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 5
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB. Its 5.4GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 7600X comes next at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X3D on rated power (65W). You also get the Zen 5 architecture. 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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, based on our last check.
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
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (96MB)
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings 96MB of L3 cache to a six-core AM5 chip at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way into AMD's cache-heavy gaming line on AM5. Its 4.7GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 5.4GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 8700G cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz)
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
- Skip it if you need to know its L3 cache before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Its 5.1GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (4.7GHz). Its 8 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 8500G comes next 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 7600X3D the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 5 7600X3D instead: it offers 96MB, while this one gives no figure.
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
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
- 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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 7 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- 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 and the Ryzen 7 8700G give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G 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 Hades
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 4.7GHz (the Ryzen 5 7600X3D) to 5.4GHz (the Ryzen 5 9600X). For less, the Ryzen 5 7600X is the runner-up at 5.3GHz ($150 to $250 tier).
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 7600X3D to 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 8700G, a 33% spread. Start with the Ryzen 7 8700G if core count decides it.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D tops L3 cache at 96MB and the Ryzen 5 9600X sits lowest at 32MB. Start with the Ryzen 5 7600X3D if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 8700G give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D: 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip. The Ryzen 7 8700G: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 8700G at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Hades
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) |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 7600X3D | The largest L3 cache here (96MB) |
| 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 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 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 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Not listed | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 8500G, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 8700G at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 5 7600X3D |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 5 9600X ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz; the Ryzen 5 7600X follows at 5.3GHz, 2% apart. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D closes the ranking at 4.7GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 7 8700G or the Ryzen 5 8500G?
Between the top two, it is 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 8700G against 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 8500G, a 33% difference.
How does the Ryzen 5 7600X compare with the Ryzen 5 7600X3D on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D leads at 96MB, with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 8700G are left out of this ranking because their L3 cache isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 7 8700G worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 8500G?
The spec sheets show boost clock (5.1GHz against 5GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores) in its favour. The Ryzen 5 8500G sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 8700G in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 5 7600X3D the Largest Game Cache?
It carries the badge for the largest L3 cache here (96MB). The Ryzen 5 7600X is next on L3 cache at 32MB, so this pick's 96MB is 200% further out. It gives up boost clock (4.7GHz against 5GHz) to the Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 8700G have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D do not.
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 8700G for the highest core count here (8 cores) if those matter more to you.
Confirm the cooler you plan to use fits the socket; some boxed processors include one.