Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Outer Wilds
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 7600X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Outer Wilds does not push current hardware, so this guide is about the lowest-cost processor that suits a wider library. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
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
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)
Worth a Look
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)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (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) |
| 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) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (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
- Look at the others if this bothers 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 7600X offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7600X on core count (6 cores). It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500F; the Ryzen 5 7600X goes with an AM5 socket.
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 and the Ryzen 5 7600X on core count (6 cores).
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 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.
Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 7600X, 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
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 22MB: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 5.3GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores). An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5500F uses an AM4 socket. It also offers 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500F and the pricier Core i5-14400F, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated power; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 65W.
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
Worth a Look4 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. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 20MB: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 5.3GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores). Its 125W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5500 leads at 65W. You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 7600X and its an AM5 socket.
DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 7600X uses DDR5 memory. Its price falls between the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 7600X, based on our last check.
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 5 5500
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W)
Largest Game Cache5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. Its 32MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 22MB. Nothing else here matches its 5.3GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 4.9GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F at 6 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 105W: the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 65W, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM5 socket; compare the Core Ultra 5 225F, which has an LGA1851 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 5500F has DDR4 memory instead. Only the Core i5-14400F came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on core count, where the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 12
- 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
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- 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: 1 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 7600X, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F 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 Ryzen 5 7600X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Outer Wilds
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 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 26% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz ($100 to $150 tier).
How much core count you need
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 7600X sits lowest at 6 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 7600X tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 16MB. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 22MB ($100 to $150 tier). The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F list DDR4; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 5 7600X lists DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it; the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 5 7600X go without.
How to Choose a CPUs for Outer Wilds
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 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 |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 7600X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads on boost clock at 5.3GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F leaves 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 |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
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 5 7600X 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, Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 5 7600X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 7600X or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
Between the top two, it is 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X against 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, an 8% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500F is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 32MB, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. The Ryzen 5 5500 closes the ranking at 16MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F doesn't state a L3 cache figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 5 7600X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.2GHz) and L3 cache (32MB against 16MB). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 7600X in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and L3 cache decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 5 5500 the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. It makes sense for anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 5 7600X uses AM5.
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 Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
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 Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.