Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Red Matter 2
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 9700X has the highest boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Red Matter 2 does not push current hardware, so this guide is about the lowest-cost processor that suits a wider library. Every pick has at least eight cores and cost $300 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | 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 highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 3
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
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
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 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (4.7GHz). On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores.
No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Core i5-14400F, which has an LGA1700 socket. You also get 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14400F the next step up.
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)
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
Also Consider2 of 3
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 4.7GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz. On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores.
It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9700X cost more.
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
- Core count of 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9700X
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
Highest Boost Clock3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its L3 cache before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Nothing else here matches its 5.5GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 4.9GHz. On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores.
It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 225F has an LGA1851 socket instead. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14400F the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 225F instead: it offers 22MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- AM5 socket, the only one here
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores)
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and threads, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and threads are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Ryzen 7 9700X, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 9700X gives no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 9700X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Red Matter 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.7GHz on the Core i5-14400F to 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X, a 17% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 4.9GHz, in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 9700X.
Core count across these picks
Across these 3 picks core count spans 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 9700X) to 10 cores (the Core Ultra 5 225F). If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
L3 cache across these picks
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops L3 cache at 22MB and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 20MB. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 22MB. The Ryzen 7 9700X gives no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Integrated graphics
The Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F go without. Settling integrated graphics first narrows 2 picks to 2.
Extras that separate them
The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. The Core i5-14400F: DDR4 and DDR5 support. The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
How to Choose a CPUs for Red Matter 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads on boost clock at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 7 9700X leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 16 |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 16 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 7 9700X the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 7 9700X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Core i5-14400F closes the ranking at 4.7GHz.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Core i5-14400F?
Between the top two, it is 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 20MB on the Core i5-14400F, a 10% difference. The Ryzen 7 9700X is left out of this ranking because its L3 cache isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 7 9700X add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
What it brings is boost clock (5.5GHz against 4.9GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 225F still leads on core count (10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 9700X in the $250 to $500 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 9700X our Highest Boost Clock pick?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). On boost clock it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 5.5GHz against 4.9GHz, a 12% margin. The price of that: the Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, still beats it on core count (10 cores against 8 cores). It is aimed at anyone who puts boost clock first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 9700X uses AM5.
What extras do the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core i5-14400F include?
The Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. The Core i5-14400F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 225F. Look at the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores and the Ryzen 7 9700X for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) if those matter more to you.
Confirm the cooler you plan to use fits the socket; some boxed processors include one.