Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Quake II
Four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 5 9600X has the highest boost clock; the Ryzen 5 8500G is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Quake II; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick has integrated graphics and cost $250 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600K
The highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (14 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8500G is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with Radeon graphics built in on top.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
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 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 9600X; the Core i5-14600K goes with an LGA1700 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 cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 7600X was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 7600X, which offers 32MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon graphics built in
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz)
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 9600X on core count (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-14600K (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 5 9600X; the Core i5-14600K goes with an LGA1700 socket.
It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 9600X, based on our last check. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
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
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
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 suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache (32MB). Nothing else here matches its 5.4GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 5 7600X comes closest at 5.3GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 5 7600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600K uses an LGA1700 socket. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 7600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14600K cost more. Core count is its weakest area, and the Core i5-14600K covers it better at 14 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600K
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
Highest Core Count4 of 4
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. Its 24MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 32MB.
It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock (5.3GHz). Its 14 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 8500G comes next at 6 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Ryzen 5 7600X, which has DDR5 memory. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600X (32MB)
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four 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 4 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Core i5-14600K, state boost clock, core count and threads and share integrated graphics.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14600K ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Quake II
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8500G) to 5.4GHz (the Ryzen 5 9600X). The Ryzen 5 7600X comes second at 5.3GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $150 to $250 for the Ryzen 5 9600X.
Core count across these picks
The Core i5-14600K tops core count at 14 cores and the Ryzen 5 9600X sits lowest at 6 cores. The Core i5-14600K is the pick for core count.
How much L3 cache you need
The Ryzen 5 7600X tops L3 cache at 32MB and the Core i5-14600K sits lowest at 24MB; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Ryzen 5 7600X if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X list DDR5; the Core i5-14600K lists DDR4 or DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 3 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 8500G has it; the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Core i5-14600K go without.
How to Choose a CPUs for Quake II
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up | Ryzen 5 8500G | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 5 7600X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 9600X | The highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600K | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads on boost clock at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 8500G was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Core i5-14600K the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 5 9600X, Core i5-14600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 5 9600X ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 5.4GHz, with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz. The Ryzen 5 8500G closes the ranking at 5GHz.
How does the Ryzen 5 8500G compare with the Core i5-14600K on core count?
Between the top two, it is 14 cores on the Core i5-14600K against 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 8500G, a 133% difference.
How does the Ryzen 5 7600X compare with the Ryzen 5 9600X on rated power?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 5 9600X against 105W on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 38% difference. The spread runs down to the Core i5-14600K at 125W. The Ryzen 5 8500G is left out of this ranking because its rated power isn't stated; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
What does the Core i5-14600K add over the Ryzen 5 8500G?
The spec sheets show boost clock (5.3GHz against 5GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores) in its favour. On our last price check the Ryzen 5 8500G was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14600K in the $150 to $250 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-14600K our Highest Core Count pick?
It carries the badge for the highest core count here (14 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 5 8500G, 14 cores against 6 cores, a 133% margin. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts core count first.
Do the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Core i5-14600K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 8500G, the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X use AM5; the Core i5-14600K uses LGA1700.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 8500G, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Ryzen 5 7600X for the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 9600X for the highest boost clock here (5.4GHz) and the Core i5-14600K for the highest core count here (14 cores) if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.