Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Rocket League
Four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 5 7600X has the highest boost clock; the Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Rocket League is a light esports title, so a budget six-core chip drives very high frame rates. Every pick has six or more cores and cost $170 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in 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 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The highest core count here (10 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
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 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
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 Core Ultra 5 225F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (10 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (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 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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 in the build.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5600 leads at 32MB. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 5.3GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 7600X at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5600, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket.
It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core Ultra 5 225F was closest.
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 Core Ultra 5 225F
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 Core Count2 of 4
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 core count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
Its 10 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes next at 6 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 7600X, which has an AM5 socket.
Like the Ryzen 5 7600X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 10
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset 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)
Also Consider3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.4GHz: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 5.3GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in 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 Ryzen 5 7600X goes with an AM5 socket.
You also get DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Ryzen 5 7600X, at the time of writing. The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600X. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600X has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- 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 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F
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 Clock4 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 put boost clock first.
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 5600 at 32MB. Nothing else here matches its 5.3GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 4.9GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 on core count (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (125W). An AM5 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket.
It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5600 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: 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.
- What we compared
- We lined up four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 7600X, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 5500 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Core Ultra 5 225F for the highest core count here (10 cores); the Ryzen 5 5600 for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
- 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 Rocket League
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 5600. Start with the Ryzen 5 5600 if L3 cache decides it.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz.
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 7600X to 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F. Start with the Core Ultra 5 225F if core count decides it.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 list DDR4; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 7600X list DDR5. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 have it; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 7600X go without. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
How to Choose a CPUs for Rocket League
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core Ultra 5 225F | The highest core count here (10 cores) |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5600 | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 5 7600X | The highest boost clock here (5.3GHz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 5600 leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick and the Ryzen 5 7600X the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Ryzen 5 7600X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Ryzen 5 7600X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 7600X leads at 5.3GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Ryzen 5 5500?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 10 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 5 7600X add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds L3 cache (32MB against 16MB) and boost clock (5.3GHz against 4.2GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 5 7600X our Highest Boost Clock pick?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (5.3GHz). It suits anyone who put boost clock first.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Ryzen 5 7600X uses AM5.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F include?
The Ryzen 5 5500: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Core Ultra 5 225F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. The Ryzen 5 5600: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core Ultra 5 225F. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for the highest core count here (10 cores), the Ryzen 5 5600 for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box and the Ryzen 5 7600X for the highest boost clock here (5.3GHz) if those matter more to you.
Check whether the chip includes a cooler before you add one to the cart.