Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Quake
Five processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 5600X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Quake 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.
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)
Highest Boost Clock
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The highest boost clock here (4.9GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i5-9400F
6 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 cores at a 65W rating.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
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 5600X (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 highest boost clock here (4.9GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 cores at a 65W rating. | Buyers who want 6 cores at a 65W rating. | Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F (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 5600X (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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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 sits mid-pack at 16MB: the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 32MB, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 9MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500F and Ryzen 5 5600X; the Core i5-9400F goes with an LGA1151 socket. It also comes with 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 undercut the Ryzen 5 5500F and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- L3 cache of 16MB, ahead of the Core i5-9400F
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
- 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 4.2GHz 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 Core i5-9400F and the Ryzen 5 5600X on core count (6 cores).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5600X; the Core i5-9400F goes with an LGA1151 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Core Ultra 5 225F, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 5600X 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
- Boost clock of 4.2GHz, ahead of the Core i5-9400F
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
Highest Boost Clock3 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 put boost clock first.
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 5600X offers 32MB, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 9MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600X (4.6GHz).
Its 10 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes next at 6 cores. You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5600X and its 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.
Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Core i5-9400F, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed rated power should compare it with the Ryzen 5 5500, which 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 Ryzen 5 5500
- 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
Intel Core i5-9400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-9400F has six cores at a 65W rating and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 cores at a 65W rating.
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 the low-cost way to move a 300-series board off a dual- or quad-core chip. On L3 cache it trails the group at 9MB, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 32MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.1GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4.9GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600X on core count (6 cores). An LGA1151 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5500F uses an AM4 socket. It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Ryzen 5 5600X, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 9MB
- Max boost: 4.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 6
- Socket: LGA1151
- Memory: DDR4
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 6 cores at a 65W rating
- LGA1151 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600X (32MB)
Largest Game Cache5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600X is for AM4 owners: it drops into existing boards after a BIOS update and keeps your DDR4.
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 includes a Wraith Stealth cooler but has no integrated graphics. Nothing else here matches its 32MB L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 22MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4.9GHz, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 4.1GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Core i5-9400F on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5500F; the Core i5-9400F goes with an LGA1151 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards.
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 Core i5-9400F and the rest. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- 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
- PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
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
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, 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 5600X, 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 5600X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Quake
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 4.1GHz (the Core i5-9400F) to 4.9GHz (the Core Ultra 5 225F). If boost clock is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 4.9GHz.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5600X to 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 67% spread. Start with the Core Ultra 5 225F if core count decides it.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 5 5600X tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Core i5-9400F sits lowest at 9MB. 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.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600X have it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 3.
Features beyond the spec table
The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. The Core i5-9400F: 6 cores at a 65W rating. The Ryzen 5 5600X: PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards.
How to Choose a CPUs for Quake
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 put boost clock first | Core Ultra 5 225F | The highest boost clock here (4.9GHz) |
| Buyers who want 6 cores at a 65W rating | Core i5-9400F | 6 cores at a 65W rating |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 5600X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
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 5600X at 4.6GHz. "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 i5-9400F | 9MB | 4.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 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 5 5600X 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 i5-9400F, Ryzen 5 5600X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 5600X compare with the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 4.9GHz, with the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz. The spread runs down to the Core i5-9400F at 4.1GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count?
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores; the Ryzen 5 5500 follows at 6 cores, 67% apart.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Ryzen 5 5600X or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
Between the top two, it is 32MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X against 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 45% difference. The Core i5-9400F is at the other end of this group with 9MB. No L3 cache figure is published for the Ryzen 5 5500F, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Ryzen 5 5600X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
The spec sheets show boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz) and L3 cache (32MB against 16MB) in its favour. The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 Core Ultra 5 225F the Highest Boost Clock?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (4.9GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X is next on boost clock at 4.6GHz, so this pick's 4.9GHz is 7% further out. The Ryzen 5 5500, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts boost clock first.
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 5 5600X use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-9400F uses LGA1151.
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 the highest boost clock here (4.9GHz) and the Core i5-9400F for 6 cores at a 65W rating if those matter more to you.
Match the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) to the board you choose.