Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for HoloCure
From the Ryzen 5 5500F to the Core i5-14400F: 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
HoloCure runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick has at least six cores and cost $170 or less, ordered by boost clock.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The highest boost clock here (5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-14400F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500F costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500F costs less. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 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
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5500F at 6 cores.
No other pick in this guide offers an AM5 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 5600, which has an AM4 socket. It is the only pick here with DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 5600 has DDR4 memory instead. 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.
It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 5 5600 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
- Highest boost clock of the picks (5GHz)
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
Also Consider2 of 5
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 want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 22MB: the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores). An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket. It also comes with 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500F and the pricier Ryzen 5 8500G, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated power; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 65W.
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 i5-14400F
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500F at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 5
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500F costs less.
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. On L3 cache it trails the group at 20MB, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores). Its 125W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5600 leads at 65W. You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5500F and its an AM4 socket.
DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 8500G uses DDR5 memory. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5600.
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
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB)
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500F at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5500F, it has an AM4 socket, while the Ryzen 5 8500G uses an AM5 socket.
It also comes with DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 8500G and below the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
Best for
- Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.2GHz, while the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5600 on core count (6 cores).
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600; the Ryzen 5 8500G goes with an AM5 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 5 5600; the Core i5-14400F goes with DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core Ultra 5 225F was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 5600, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 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 5 5500F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500F give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500F ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14400F ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for HoloCure
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G, a 19% 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
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 6 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 5600 tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 20MB. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 22MB ($100 to $150 tier). The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500F give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 8500G lists DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5500F list DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it; the Core i5-14400F goes without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for HoloCure
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 8500G | The highest boost clock here (5GHz) |
| Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core Ultra 5 225F | 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500F costs less | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 5600 | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Getting Wraith Stealth cooler in the box for the least money | Ryzen 5 5500F | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 8500G leads on boost clock at 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500F leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 5500F, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core i5-14400F at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F, Core Ultra 5 225F, Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Core i5-14400F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 8500G or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
Between the top two, it is 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G against 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 2% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500F is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 5600 leads at 32MB, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. The Core i5-14400F closes the ranking at 20MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500F don't state a L3 cache figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core i5-14400F worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500F?
What it brings is boost clock (4.7GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (10 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500F still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500F sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14400F in the $150 to $250 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 8500G the Highest Boost Clock?
It carries the badge for the highest boost clock here (5GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F is next on boost clock at 4.9GHz, so this pick's 5GHz is 2% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 8500G uses AM5; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5500F use AM4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F apart?
The Ryzen 5 8500G: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. The Core i5-14400F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5GHz). Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group and the Ryzen 5 5500F for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.