Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Liero
From the Ryzen 5 5500 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
Liero does not push current hardware, so this guide is about the lowest-cost processor that suits a wider library. 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)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 5500 costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-12400F
Six performance cores.
Best for: Buyers who want six performance cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (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) |
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | 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 5500 costs less. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| Six performance cores. | Buyers who want six performance cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (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
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
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 highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz. It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR5 memory; compare the Core i5-14400F, which has DDR4 or DDR5 memory. 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. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 225F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-12400F cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 225F instead: it offers 22MB, 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
- 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
Largest Game Cache2 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
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 22MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F (20MB). On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores). You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5500 and its an AM4 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 needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 8500G, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed rated power should compare it with the Ryzen 5 5500, which 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
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (22MB)
- 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 5500 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 5500 costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 20MB: the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 18MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Ryzen 5 8500G offers 5GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores). It matches the Core i5-12400F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-12400F; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Core i5-12400F and the rest. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
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
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Also Consider4 of 5
Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Buyers who want six performance cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. Its 18MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB. Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 125W. Like the Core i5-14400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket.
It also offers six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 8500G and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14400F cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
- Boost clock of 4.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Lowest Rated Power5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 stands out for a 65W TDP with 19MB of cache, and it adds a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 8500G leads at 5GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core i5-12400F at 6 cores.
Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Core i5-14400F comes closest at 125W. It is the only pick here with an AM4 socket; the Ryzen 5 8500G has an AM5 socket instead. No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 memory; compare the Core i5-12400F, which has DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core Ultra 5 225F was closest. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 225F instead: it offers 22MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP with 19MB of cache
- AM4 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No published L3 cache
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five 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 5, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 5 5500, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500 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 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Core i5-14400F ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Liero
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 5500 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 5500 sits lowest at 6 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count.
How much L3 cache you need
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 18MB (the Core i5-12400F) to 22MB (the Core Ultra 5 225F). The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500 give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 8500G lists DDR5; the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-12400F list DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5500 lists 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 and the Ryzen 5 5500 have it; the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-12400F go without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 2.
How to Choose a CPUs for Liero
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 8500G | The highest boost clock here (5GHz) |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want six performance cores | Core i5-12400F | Six performance cores |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 5 5500 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
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 5500 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 |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 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 5500, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Core i5-14400F at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F, Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-12400F, Core i5-14400F |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 5 8500G on boost clock?
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 5500 closes the ranking at 4.2GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB, with the Core i5-14400F at 20MB. The spread runs down to the Core i5-12400F at 18MB. No L3 cache figure is published for the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 5500, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 5 5500 or the Core i5-14400F?
The Ryzen 5 5500 is lowest on rated power at 65W; the Core i5-14400F follows at 125W, 48% apart. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core Ultra 5 225F are left out of this ranking because their rated power isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core i5-14400F worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
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 5500 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 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 Core Ultra 5 225F the Largest Game Cache?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (22MB). The Core i5-14400F is next on L3 cache at 20MB, so this pick's 22MB is 10% further out. The Ryzen 5 5500, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 and the Core i5-12400F use LGA1700; the Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5GHz). Look at the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores at the highest price in the group, the Core i5-12400F for six performance cores and the Ryzen 5 5500 for the lowest rated power here (65W) if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.