Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Hades II
We weighed three processors on L3 cache and boost clock, and the Core i5-12400 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Hades II; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick is an LGA1700 processor that cost $260 or less, ordered from the highest price.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out cores / threads, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-14600K
The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i5-12400
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 3
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. It matches the Core i5-14600KF on L3 cache (24MB).
It matches the Core i5-14600KF on boost clock (5.3GHz). It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. 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.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14600KF the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 3
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. It matches the Core i5-14600K on L3 cache (24MB). It matches the Core i5-14600K on boost clock (5.3GHz).
It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Core i5-12400 and below the Core i5-14600K at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
Intel Core i5-12400 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i5-12400 brings to the table is 18MB of cache, plus a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Skip if
- Skip it if L3 cache matters most to you; the Core i5-14600K offers 24MB.
Why we like it
The maker lists 18MB of L3 cache and an LGA1700 socket, so it needs a compatible board. Built-in Intel UHD Graphics 730 supports up to four monitors, which lets you set up the PC before adding a graphics card. Its 18MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core i5-14600K leads at 24MB.
Its 4.4GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i5-14600K leads at 5.3GHz. 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 cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14600KF the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Socket: LGA1700
Pros
- 18MB of cache
- 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF
Cons
- L3 cache trails the Core i5-14600K (24MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core i5-14600K (5.3GHz)
- No published core count
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- 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 core count.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core i5-14600K to the Core i5-12400, state L3 cache, boost clock and socket and share LGA1700 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i5-12400 gives no core count; the Core i5-12400 gives no rated power.
- Price range
- From the Core i5-12400 to the Core i5-14600K, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPUs for Hades II
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 18MB (the Core i5-12400) to 24MB (the Core i5-14600K). The Core i5-14600KF comes second at 24MB, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core i5-14600K.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i5-14600K tops boost clock at 5.3GHz and the Core i5-12400 sits lowest at 4.4GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the Core i5-14600KF is the runner-up at 5.3GHz ($150 to $250 tier).
Extras that separate them
The Core i5-14600K: support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards. The Core i5-14600KF: an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-12400: a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, from the Core i5-12400 at the low end to the Core i5-14600K at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Core i5-14600K. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF: the Core i5-12400.
How to Choose a CPUs for Hades II
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Core i5-14600K | The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600KF | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF | Core i5-12400 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i5-14600K leads on L3 cache at 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB. "Not listed" marks core count where the Core i5-12400 leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-12400 | 18MB | 4.4GHz | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Core i5-14600K add over the Core i5-12400?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (24MB against 18MB) and boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.4GHz) in its favour. Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in L3 cache and boost clock cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Core i5-12400 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF. It suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Does the Core i5-14600K have integrated graphics, and which others do?
The Core i5-14600K has it; the Core i5-14600KF does not. The Core i5-12400 has no integrated graphics listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Core i5-14600K and the Core i5-14600KF include?
The Core i5-14600K: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-12400: 18MB of cache.
Should I pick the Core i5-14600K or the Core i5-12400?
The Core i5-14600K suits spending more than the Core i5-14600KF costs for the fullest feature set in this group; the Core i5-12400 suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i5-14600K, chosen for the top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and the Core i5-12400 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.