Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Rush Rally 3
From the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 7700: five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Rush Rally 3 runs on almost any current processor, so the best choice is the cheapest sensible one. Every pick is an AM5 processor that cost $330 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; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 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)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box.
Best for: Spending more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (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 lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box. | Spending more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X at 6 cores.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 5 7600X was closest. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 9 7900X instead: it offers 64MB, while this one gives no figure.
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 9 7900X (5.6GHz)
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G (5GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 9600X at 6 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 105W: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W, and the Ryzen 9 7900X comes in at 170W. It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G; by contrast, 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
Lowest Rated Power3 of 5
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 rated power first.
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 suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.4GHz: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 5 8500G comes in at 5GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7600X on core count (6 cores). Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Ryzen 5 7600X comes closest at 105W. You also get the Zen 5 architecture.
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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 9 7900X, based on our last check. If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB) is the stronger choice.
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
- Boost clock of 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 64MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz).
Its 12 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 7700 comes next at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W. It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 7700 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 170W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W)
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700 is built around an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box, with an unlocked 8-core AM5 processor on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Its L3 cache is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8 cores core count and offers a 16 threads. Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (12 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X (6 cores). 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 9 7900X and the rest. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box
- Unlocked 8-core AM5 processor
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8500G
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- No published boost clock
- No published rated power
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- 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: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 8500G to the Ryzen 7 7700, state core count, threads and socket and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 7700 gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 7 7700 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Rush Rally 3
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Core count
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops core count at 12 cores and the Ryzen 5 9600X sits lowest at 6 cores. If core count is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 7900X sets the ceiling at 12 cores.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5GHz (the Ryzen 5 8500G) to 5.6GHz (the Ryzen 9 7900X). The Ryzen 5 9600X comes second at 5.4GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 9 7900X. The Ryzen 7 7700 gives no boost clock figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 32MB on the Ryzen 5 9600X to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900X, a 100% spread. Start with the Ryzen 9 7900X if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 7600X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700: an unlocked 8-core AM5 processor.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 8500G; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 9600X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 7700 at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Rush Rally 3
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 rated power first | Ryzen 5 9600X | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 9 7900X | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| Spending more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Ryzen 7 7700 | The top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box |
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Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on core count at 12 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 leave 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 |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | Not listed | Not listed | 8 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 8500G, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 7700 at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 5 9600X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900X, Ryzen 7 7700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 9 7900X or the Ryzen 7 7700?
Between the top two, it is 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900X against 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 7700, a 50% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 9600X at 6 cores.
How does the Ryzen 5 9600X compare with the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz, with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 5.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 8500G is at the other end of this group with 5GHz. No boost clock figure is published for the Ryzen 7 7700, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Ryzen 9 7900X ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops L3 cache at 64MB; the Ryzen 5 7600X follows at 32MB, 100% apart. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 are left out of this ranking because their L3 cache isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Ryzen 7 7700 worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 8500G?
On paper it adds core count (8 cores against 6 cores). The Ryzen 5 8500G sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 7 7700 in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if core count decides your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 5 9600X the Lowest Rated Power?
It earns the label for the lowest rated power here (65W). The Ryzen 5 7600X is next on rated power at 105W, so this pick's 65W is 38% further out. 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 rated power first.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 7 7700 have it; the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 9 7900X do not.
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 lowest rated power here (65W) and the Ryzen 7 7700 for the top of this price range, adding an AMD Wraith Prism RGB cooler in the box if those matter more to you.
Check whether the processor has integrated graphics if you are not adding a card yet.