Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for I Wanna Be the Boshy
From the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 9700X: four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
I Wanna Be the Boshy is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a processor. Every pick is an AM5 processor that cost $330 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
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 4 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)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Zen 5 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (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 Zen 5 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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 is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X 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. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 5 7600X 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
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 9600X at 6 cores.
It also offers 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.
It was priced above the Ryzen 5 8500G and below the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
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
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
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 want Zen 5 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 suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.4GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 8500G comes in at 5GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X on core count (6 cores).
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. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 7600X and the pricier Ryzen 7 9700X, at the time of writing. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 8 cores.
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
- Boost clock of 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (8 cores)
Highest Boost Clock4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- The maker gives no L3 cache, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz). 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; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 9600X. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 7600X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- Highest core count of the picks (8 cores)
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and rated power are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 9700X, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 9700X 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 9700X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for I Wanna Be the Boshy
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8500G) to 5.5GHz (the Ryzen 7 9700X). For less, the Ryzen 5 9600X is the runner-up at 5.4GHz ($150 to $250 tier).
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 9600X to 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 9700X, a 33% spread. Start with the Ryzen 7 9700X if core count decides it.
How much rated power you need
Here rated power runs from 105W on the Ryzen 5 7600X to 65W on the Ryzen 5 9600X, a 38% spread. The Ryzen 5 9600X is the pick for rated power. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 9700X give no rated power figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 7600X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 9700X at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for I Wanna Be the Boshy
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 want Zen 5 architecture | Ryzen 5 9600X | The Zen 5 architecture |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads on boost clock at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X at 5.4GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 9700X 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 7 9700X | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 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 9700X 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 |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 9600X compare with the Ryzen 7 9700X on boost clock?
Between the top two, it is 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X against 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X, a 2% difference. The Ryzen 5 8500G closes the ranking at 5GHz.
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G on core count?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 8500G at 6 cores.
How does the Ryzen 5 7600X compare with the Ryzen 5 9600X on rated power?
The Ryzen 5 9600X comes out best at 65W, with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 105W. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 9700X are left out of this ranking because their rated power isn't stated; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 8500G?
What it brings is boost clock (5.5GHz against 5GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). The Ryzen 5 8500G sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 9700X in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 9700X the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). The Ryzen 5 9600X is next on boost clock at 5.4GHz, so this pick's 5.5GHz is 2% further out. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts boost clock first.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 8500G has it; the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X do not. The maker of the Ryzen 7 9700X doesn't state cooler in box, so 3 of 4 picks are covered here.
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 Zen 5 architecture and the Ryzen 7 9700X for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.