Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Mass Effect Legendary Edition
From the Core i5-14400F to the Core i5-14600KF: 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
Mass Effect Legendary Edition lists a Core i7-7700 or Ryzen 7 3700X for its recommended tier. Every pick has at least eight cores on an AM5 or LGA1700 socket and cost $260 or less, ordered by boost clock.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition's official PC requirements list Intel Core i7-7700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 are a newer generation than the Ryzen 7 3700X; the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14400F are a newer generation than the Core i7-7700.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600KF
The highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i5-14400F
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 7700.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (14 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 7700. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on L3 cache (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (5.3GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 105W: the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 125W. Like the Ryzen 7 7700, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600KF uses an LGA1700 socket.
It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 7700 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14600KF cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- 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
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Lowest Rated Power2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700 is the 65W version of the 7700X and ships with a Wraith Prism cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if core count matters most to you; the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on core count (8 cores). On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X (105W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 7 7700X; the Core i5-14400F goes with an LGA1700 socket.
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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Core i5-14400F and the pricier Ryzen 7 7700X, at the time of writing. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF
Cons
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600KF (14 cores)
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Highest Core Count3 of 4
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 24MB: the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 32MB, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 5.3GHz.
Its 14 cores core count is the highest here; the Core i5-14400F comes next at 10 cores. It matches the Core i5-14400F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14400F; the Ryzen 7 7700 goes with an AM5 socket.
It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 7700X and the rest. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700. If that matters, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
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 who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 7700.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
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 7 7700X offers 32MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.7GHz, while the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 5.4GHz.
Its 10 cores core count ranks second of 4 here, behind the Core i5-14600KF (14 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (8 cores). It matches the Core i5-14600KF on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14600KF; the Ryzen 7 7700 goes with an AM5 socket.
It also offers 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. 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 undercut the Ryzen 7 7700 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- Core count of 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 7700X (32MB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 9 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 7 7700X to the Core i5-14400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 7 7700X for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz); the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W); the Core i5-14600KF for the highest core count here (14 cores).
- Price range
- From the Core i5-14400F to the Core i5-14600KF, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPUs for Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 20MB on the Core i5-14400F to 32MB on the Ryzen 7 7700X, a 60% spread. For less, the Ryzen 7 7700 is the runner-up at 32MB ($150 to $250 tier).
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 7 7700X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 4.7GHz. The Ryzen 7 7700 comes second at 5.3GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Ryzen 7 7700X.
How much core count you need
Across these 4 picks core count spans 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 7700) to 14 cores (the Core i5-14600KF). For less, the Core i5-14400F is the runner-up at 10 cores ($150 to $250 tier).
Memory
The Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7700 list DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14400F list DDR4 or DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 7 7700X, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14400F go without; the Ryzen 7 7700 has it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for Mass Effect Legendary Edition
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 7700X | The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 7700 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600KF | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 7700 | Core i5-14400F | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 7700X leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Mass Effect Legendary Edition at recommended settings?
In Mass Effect Legendary Edition's list, the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 7 7700, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14400F meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Mass Effect Legendary Edition also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Is the Ryzen 7 7700X ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 7700X leads at 5.4GHz, with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 5.3GHz. The spread runs down to the Core i5-14400F at 4.7GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core i5-14600KF or the Core i5-14400F?
The Core i5-14600KF tops core count at 14 cores; the Core i5-14400F follows at 10 cores, 40% apart. The Ryzen 7 7700 is at the other end of this group with 8 cores.
How does the Ryzen 7 7700X compare with the Ryzen 7 7700 on rated power?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 7700 against 105W on the Ryzen 7 7700X, a 38% difference. The Core i5-14400F is at the other end of this group with 125W.
Is the Core i5-14600KF worth paying more than the Core i5-14400F?
On paper it adds L3 cache (24MB against 20MB), boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.7GHz) and core count (14 cores against 10 cores). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in L3 cache and boost clock cost little extra by tier.
What makes the Ryzen 7 7700X the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). The Ryzen 7 7700 is next on boost clock at 5.3GHz, so this pick's 5.4GHz is 2% further out. It gives up core count (8 cores against 10 cores) to the Core i5-14400F, the cheapest pick. It suits anyone who puts boost clock first.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 7700X, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). Look at the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W), the Core i5-14600KF for the highest core count here (14 cores) and the Core i5-14400F for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 7700 if those matter more to you.
Keep the 120GB install on an SSD; the trilogy loads noticeably faster from one.