Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Lil' Guardsman
We weighed three 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 read3 products evaluated
Lil' Guardsman is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a 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 gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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 Ultra 5 245KF.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i3-12100
UHD Graphics 730 at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i3-12100 (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 Ultra 5 245KF. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| UHD Graphics 730 at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less. | Check price for Intel Core i3-12100 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 3
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. Nothing else here matches its 24MB L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 22MB. Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz.
Its 14 cores core count is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 10 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i3-12100 uses an LGA1700 socket. It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i3-12100; by contrast, the Core i3-12100 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 3
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 Ultra 5 245KF.
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. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Core i3-12100 (12MB). On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores, and the Core i3-12100 comes in at 4 cores.
Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i3-12100 uses an LGA1700 socket. You also get 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 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF the next step up. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i3-12100; by contrast, the Core i3-12100 has it.
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 i3-12100
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i3-12100
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Premium Pick3 of 3
Intel Core i3-12100 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i3-12100 brings to the table is UHD Graphics 730, plus a 4-core part for entry-level builds.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12MB L3 cache and offers a 4.3GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it trails the group at 12MB, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.3GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz.
Its 4 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores. You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core Ultra 5 225F and its 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Core Ultra 5 245KF.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 12MB
- Max boost: 4.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 4 cores
- Socket: LGA1700
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- UHD Graphics 730
- 4-core part for entry-level builds
- LGA1700 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 4 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and socket, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and all 5 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core i3-12100, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core Ultra 5 245KF for the largest L3 cache here (24MB); the Core Ultra 5 225F for the lowest price among these processors at the time of writing; the Core i3-12100 for UHD Graphics 730 at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Core i3-12100 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Lil' Guardsman
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops L3 cache at 24MB and the Core i3-12100 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.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.3GHz on the Core i3-12100 to 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 21% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz ($100 to $150 tier).
Core count
Across these 3 picks core count spans 4 cores (the Core i3-12100) 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.
Integrated graphics
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F go without; the Core i3-12100 has it. Settling integrated graphics first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
Extras that separate them
The Core Ultra 5 245KF: Intel 800-series chipset support. The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. The Core i3-12100: a 4-core part for entry-level builds.
How to Choose a CPUs for Lil' Guardsman
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 Ultra 5 245KF | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 225F costs less | Core i3-12100 | UHD Graphics 730 at the highest price in the group |
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.
| 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 i3-12100 | 12MB | 4.3GHz | 4 cores | 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 i3-12100 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Core i3-12100 |
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 Core i3-12100 closes the ranking 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 i3-12100 is at the other end of this group with 4.3GHz.
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 i3-12100 is at the other end of this group with 4 cores.
What does the Core i3-12100 add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core i3-12100 matches or trails the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache, boost clock and core count, 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 i3-12100 in the $150 to $250 tier, with 1 other pick between them.
Why is the Core Ultra 5 245KF our Largest Game Cache pick?
It carries the badge for 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 suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i3-12100 differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Core i3-12100 uses 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 and the Core i3-12100 for UHD Graphics 730 at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Match the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) to the board you choose.