Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Modern Warfare 3
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 9 7900X has the largest L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Modern Warfare 3 uses several cores in big multiplayer matches. Every pick has eight or more cores and cost $400 or less, ordered by boost clock.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The highest core count here (20 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-13600K
The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K (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 in the build.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14400F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest core count here (20 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Core Count1 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. Its 33MB L3 cache ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (20MB). It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock (5.6GHz).
On core count it leads this guide at 20 cores, ahead of the Core i5-13600K (14 cores). On rated power it ties with the Core i5-13600K, the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F at 125W. Like the Core i5-13600K and Core i5-14400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 9 7900X uses an AM5 socket.
It also comes with 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 9 7900X cost more. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 9 7900X; by contrast, the Ryzen 9 7900X has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 33MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 28
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
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
Largest Game Cache2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 64MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700KF (33MB). On boost clock it ties with the Core i7-14700KF at 5.6GHz.
Its 12 cores core count ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (10 cores). Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 125W. An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core i5-13600K uses an LGA1700 socket.
It shares DDR5 memory with the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Core i7-14700KF goes with DDR4 or DDR5 memory. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core i7-14700KF and the pricier Core i5-13600K, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 170W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Core i7-14700KF (125W)
Premium Pick3 of 5
Intel Core i5-13600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-13600K is the previous-generation fourteen-core LGA1700 chip.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the bo rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It fits the same boards as the 14600K. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 24MB: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 4.7GHz.
Its 14 cores core count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (10 cores). It matches the Core i7-14700KF, the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i7-14700KF and Core i5-14400F; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket.
It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 9 7900X.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the bo rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. It matches the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (4.7GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Core i5-13600K, which has an LGA1700 socket. Like the Ryzen 9 7900X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-13600K uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14400F the next step up. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 9 7900X; by contrast, the Ryzen 9 7900X has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 10
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Also Consider5 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 who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 5.6GHz.
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i5-13600K and the Core Ultra 5 225F at 125W. Like the Core i7-14700KF and Core i5-13600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 9 7900X uses an AM5 socket.
You also get 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. L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 64MB.
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
- Rated power of 125W, ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
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.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core i7-14700KF to the Core i5-14400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core i7-14700KF for the highest core count here (20 cores); the Ryzen 9 7900X for the largest L3 cache here (64MB); the Core i5-13600K for the top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-13600K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Modern Warfare 3
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 20MB on the Core i5-14400F to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900X. The Core i7-14700KF comes second for less money.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.7GHz on the Core i5-14400F to 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700KF. The Core i7-14700KF is the pick for boost clock.
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 10 cores on the Core i5-14400F to 20 cores on the Core i7-14700KF. Start with the Core i7-14700KF if core count decides it.
Memory
The Core i7-14700KF, the Core i5-13600K and the Core i5-14400F list DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Core Ultra 5 225F list DDR5. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Core i7-14700KF, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Core i5-13600K, the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F go without. Settle this first, then compare prices.
How to Choose a CPUs for Modern Warfare 3
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i7-14700KF | The highest core count here (20 cores) |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 9 7900X | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Core i5-13600K | The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Core i5-13600K | 24MB | 5.1GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick and the Core i5-13600K the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-14700KF, Ryzen 9 7900X, Core i5-13600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core i7-14700KF compare with the Ryzen 9 7900X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB, with the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB. The Core i5-14400F is at the other end of this group with 20MB.
Which has the highest core count: the Core i7-14700KF or the Core i5-13600K?
The Core i7-14700KF leads at 20 cores, with the Core i5-13600K at 14 cores. The Core i5-14400F is at the other end of this group with 10 cores.
What does the Core i5-13600K add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
On paper it adds L3 cache (24MB against 20MB), boost clock (5.1GHz against 4.9GHz) and core count (14 cores against 10 cores). The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 9 7900X our Largest Game Cache pick?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). It suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X differ on socket?
The Core i7-14700KF, the Core i5-13600K and the Core i5-14400F use LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 7900X uses AM5; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851.
What extras do the Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X include?
The Core i7-14700KF: 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Core i5-13600K: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i7-14700KF, chosen for the highest core count here (20 cores). Look at the Core i5-13600K for the top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, the Core Ultra 5 225F for the lowest price among these processors at the time of writing and the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores if those matter more to you.
Keep the game on an SSD and the shader cache enabled.