Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Portal 2
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 8400F, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Portal 2 is a light PC game, which makes price and socket support the main buying points for a processor. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in, 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)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 8400F
The top of this price range, adding a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5.
Best for: Spending more than the Ryzen 7 5700 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (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) |
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (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) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5. | Spending more than the Ryzen 7 5700 costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (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
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
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 ties with the Ryzen 7 5700 at 16MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500F and Ryzen 7 5700; the Ryzen 5 8400F goes with an AM5 socket. You also get a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 5500F was the next step up. The main gap: L3 cache of 16MB, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). If that matters, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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 8400F on core count (6 cores).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 7 5700; the Ryzen 5 8400F goes with an AM5 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 Core Ultra 5 225F, which offers 22MB.
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
Largest Game Cache3 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
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 22MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 8400F comes next at 4.7GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 10 cores core count; the Ryzen 7 5700 comes closest at 8 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 Ryzen 7 5700, 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
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (22MB)
- Highest boost clock of the picks (4.9GHz)
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 Alternative4 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
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4.9GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz.
Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8400F (6 cores). It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5500F; the Ryzen 5 8400F goes with DDR5 memory. It also comes with a 65W TDP.
On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Ryzen 5 8400F, at the time of writing. The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
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 225F (22MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 8400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8400F is built around a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5, with DDR5 memory support on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the Ryzen 7 5700 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
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 4.7GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4.9GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 4.2GHz. An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5500F uses an AM4 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. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 5700 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
Pros
- 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5
- DDR5 memory support
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700
- AM5 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- 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: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 8400F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 5 8400F ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Portal 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 17% spread. Start with the Core Ultra 5 225F if boost clock decides it.
Core count across these picks
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 8400F sits lowest at 6 cores. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count.
L3 cache
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops L3 cache at 22MB and the Ryzen 7 5700 sits lowest at 16MB. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 22MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 7 5700 list DDR4; the Ryzen 5 8400F lists DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 3 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 7 5700 have it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 3 picks to 3.
How to Choose a CPUs for Portal 2
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 |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
| Buyers who want 65W TDP | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP |
| Spending more than the Ryzen 7 5700 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Ryzen 5 8400F | The top of this price range, adding a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads on boost clock at 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8400F at 4.7GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F 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 |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 8400F | Not listed | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
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 8400F 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 | Ryzen 7 5700, Ryzen 5 8400F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Ryzen 5 8400F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops boost clock at 4.9GHz; the Ryzen 5 8400F follows at 4.7GHz, 4% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Ryzen 7 5700?
Between the top two, it is 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 5700, a 25% difference. The Ryzen 5 8400F is at the other end of this group with 6 cores.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Ryzen 5 5500?
Between the top two, it is 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500, a 38% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F don't state a L3 cache figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 5 8400F worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
What it brings is boost clock (4.7GHz against 4.2GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 8400F in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides 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, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 7 5700 use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Ryzen 5 8400F uses AM5.
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 7 5700 for a 65W TDP and the Ryzen 5 8400F for the top of this price range, adding a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5 if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.