Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Half-Life
We weighed four processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Core Ultra 5 225F costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
For Half-Life, spend on the graphics card, memory or storage rather than the most powerful processor. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered by core count.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and a missing cores / threads is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The largest L3 cache here (24MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i3-14100.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i3-14100
4 performance cores and no E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 performance cores and no E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i3-14100 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-12400
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 18MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 18MB of cache and can spend more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (24MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i3-14100. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 4 performance cores and no E-cores. | Buyers who want 4 performance cores and no E-cores. | Check price for Intel Core i3-14100 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 18MB of cache. | Buyers who want 18MB of cache and can spend more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 4
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 14 cores core count; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 10 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i3-14100 uses an LGA1700 socket. It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
When we checked, only the Core i3-14100 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-12400 cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Core i3-14100; by contrast, the Core i3-14100 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
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
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
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
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i3-14100.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks second of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Core i3-14100 (12MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400 (4.4GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores, and the Core i3-14100 comes in at 4 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i3-14100 uses an LGA1700 socket. It also offers 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i3-14100 the next step up.
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
- L3 cache of 22MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i3-14100
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache of 22MB, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
Also Consider3 of 4
Intel Core i3-14100 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i3-14100 stands out for 4 performance cores and no E-cores, and it adds an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4 performance cores and no E-cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12MB L3 cache and offers a 4.7GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it trails the group at 12MB, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz, and the Core i5-12400 comes in at 4.4GHz.
Its 4 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores. It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-12400; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. 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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Core Ultra 5 245KF, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 12MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 4 cores
- Socket: LGA1700
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 4 performance cores and no E-cores
- Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Core i5-12400
Cons
- 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores)
Premium Pick4 of 4
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 want 18MB of cache and can spend more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if boost clock matters most to you; the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz.
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 ranks third of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Core i3-14100 (12MB).
Its 4.4GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz. Like the Core i3-14100, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Socket: LGA1700
Pros
- 18MB of cache
- 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Core i3-14100
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 18MB of cache
Cons
- Boost clock trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz)
- No published core count
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and socket, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and core count and cooler in box are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core i5-12400, state L3 cache, boost clock and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i5-12400 gives no core count; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-12400 give no cooler in box.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-12400 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Half-Life
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops L3 cache at 24MB and the Core i3-14100 sits lowest at 12MB. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 22MB, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.4GHz on the Core i5-12400 to 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, an 18% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz ($100 to $150 tier).
How much core count you need
Across these 3 picks core count spans 4 cores (the Core i3-14100) to 14 cores (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 10 cores, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Core i5-12400 gives no core count figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF goes without; the Core i3-14100 has it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
Integrated graphics
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F go without.
How to Choose a CPUs for Half-Life
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 245KF | The largest L3 cache here (24MB) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i3-14100 | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 4 performance cores and no E-cores | Core i3-14100 | 4 performance cores and no E-cores |
| Buyers who want 18MB of cache and can spend more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs | Core i5-12400 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 18MB of cache |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on L3 cache at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. "Not listed" marks core count where the Core i5-12400 leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | LGA1851 |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | LGA1851 |
| Core i3-14100 | 12MB | 4.7GHz | 4 cores | LGA1700 |
| Core i5-12400 | 18MB | 4.4GHz | Not listed | LGA1700 |
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 Core i5-12400 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F, Core i3-14100 |
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Core i5-12400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core Ultra 5 245KF or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
Between the top two, it is 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 9% difference. The spread runs down to the Core i3-14100 at 12MB.
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops boost clock at 5.2GHz; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 4.9GHz, 6% apart. The Core i5-12400 closes the ranking at 4.4GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on core count?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. The Core i3-14100 closes the ranking at 4 cores. No core count figure is published for the Core i5-12400, which leaves 3 of 4 picks ranked here.
What does the Core i5-12400 add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core i5-12400 matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache and boost clock, 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 Core i5-12400 in the $150 to $250 tier, with 2 other picks between them.
Why is the Core Ultra 5 245KF our Largest Game Cache pick?
The label rests on the largest L3 cache here (24MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 24MB against 22MB, a 9% margin. The Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i3-14100 differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Core i3-14100 and the Core i5-12400 use LGA1700.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for the lowest price among these processors at the time of writing, the Core i3-14100 for 4 performance cores and no E-cores and the Core i5-12400 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 18MB of cache if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.