Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Okami HD
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Ryzen 5 5500 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Okami HD; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. 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 a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 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)
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
A 65W TDP.
Best for: Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
A lower price than the Core Ultra 5 225F and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (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) |
| 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | 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) |
| A 65W TDP. | Buyers who want 65W TDP. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Core Ultra 5 225F and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 5
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
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
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.
On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores). On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket.
Only the Ryzen 7 5700 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 5700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 5700 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 Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 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 want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
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 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket. It also comes with 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 5500 cost less, and the Core i5-14400F cost more. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Ryzen 7 5700 instead: it offers 65W, while this one gives no figure.
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 i5-14400F
- 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
Strong Alternative3 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks third of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 7 5700, which has an AM4 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 7 5700 has DDR4 memory instead. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 7 5700 at the time of writing. It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 7 5700 offers 65W.
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 Ryzen 7 5700
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W)
Worth a Look4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700 is built around a 65W TDP, with a Wraith Spire cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 65W TDP.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 24MB. Its 4.6GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 8 cores: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5500, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket.
It also offers a 65W TDP. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 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
- Spending as little as possible, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up.
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 also offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.2GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz. Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores.
It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700; the Core i5-14400F goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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 Core Ultra 5 225F was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, which offers 24MB.
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
- A lower price than the Core Ultra 5 225F and the rest when we checked
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 5 5500, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500 gives no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Okami HD
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 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 24% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 4.9GHz, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF.
Core count across these picks
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 5500) to 14 cores (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 10 cores ($100 to $150 tier).
How much L3 cache you need
Across these 4 picks L3 cache spans 16MB (the Ryzen 7 5700) to 24MB (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). 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. The Ryzen 5 5500 gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF lists DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 list DDR4.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F go without; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 have it.
How to Choose a CPUs for Okami HD
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 want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core Ultra 5 225F | 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 65W TDP | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up | Ryzen 5 5500 | A lower price than the Core Ultra 5 225F and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on boost clock at 5.2GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500 leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Core Ultra 5 245KF the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 7 5700, Core Ultra 5 245KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500 closes the ranking at 4.2GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on core count?
Between the top two, it is 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 40% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 6 cores.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache?
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 spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 5700 at 16MB. The Ryzen 5 5500 doesn't state a L3 cache figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Core Ultra 5 245KF add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
What it brings is boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500 still leads on rated power (65W). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Core Ultra 5 245KF in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
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 price of that: the Ryzen 5 5500, the cheapest pick, still beats it on rated power (65W against 125W). It makes sense for games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 use AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores and the Ryzen 7 5700 for a 65W TDP if those matter more to you.
Match the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) to the board you choose.