Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Octopath Traveler II
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Octopath Traveler II runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick is an AM4 processor that cost $250 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Octopath Traveler II's official PC requirements list AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i5-6400 and 8GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F, the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 5600GT and the Ryzen 7 5700X are a newer generation than the Ryzen 3 1200.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT
Integrated Radeon graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want integrated Radeon graphics.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| Integrated Radeon graphics. | Buyers who want integrated Radeon graphics. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (8 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
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
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600GT on core count (6 cores). It also offers a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 5500F was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600GT on core count (6 cores).
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 5600, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
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 is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 5600GT (4.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz).
It also offers DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500F and below the Ryzen 5 5600GT at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Worth a Look4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600GT is built around integrated Radeon graphics, with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want integrated Radeon graphics.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.6GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on boost clock (4.6GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5600 and below the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated Radeon graphics
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600
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
Highest Core Count5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600GT on boost clock (4.6GHz).
Its 8 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes next at 6 cores. It also offers PCIe 4.0 support. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 5600GT the nearest cheaper option. Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 5500 covers it better at 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM4 socket and DDR4 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5600GT gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 7 5700X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Octopath Traveler II
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 5500F to 4.6GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600GT, a 10% spread. Start with the Ryzen 5 5600GT if boost clock decides it.
How much core count you need
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops core count at 8 cores and the Ryzen 5 5600GT sits lowest at 6 cores. The Ryzen 7 5700X is the pick for core count.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 5600 tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 16MB; 2 picks share the top figure. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 5 5600 sets the ceiling at 32MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 5600: DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. The Ryzen 5 5600GT: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 7 5700X: PCIe 4.0 support.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the Ryzen 5 5500; $100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 5500F; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 5600GT and the Ryzen 7 5700X at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Octopath Traveler II
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5500F | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5600 | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who want integrated Radeon graphics | Ryzen 5 5600GT | Integrated Radeon graphics |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 7 5700X | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 5600GT leads on boost clock at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X at 4.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600GT | Not listed | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 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 Ryzen 7 5700X 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 | Ryzen 5 5500F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Ryzen 5 5600GT, Ryzen 7 5700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Octopath Traveler II at recommended settings?
In Octopath Traveler II's list, the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F, the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 5600GT and the Ryzen 7 5700X meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Octopath Traveler II also lists 8GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 7 5700X or the Ryzen 5 5500?
Between the top two, it is 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 5700X against 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5500, a 33% difference.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz), core count (8 cores against 6 cores) and L3 cache (32MB against 16MB). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 Ryzen 5 5500 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600GT have it; the Ryzen 7 5700X does not.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F apart?
The Ryzen 5 5500: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5500F: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5600: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. Look at the Ryzen 5 5500F for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, the Ryzen 5 5600 for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box and the Ryzen 5 5600GT for integrated Radeon graphics if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.