Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Star Citizen
Four processors compared, from the Ryzen 7 7700 to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Star Citizen is heavy on CPU and memory. Every pick has eight or more cores, 32MB+ of L3 and DDR5, ordered by cache.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Best for: Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DThe highest boost clock here (5.7GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 7 7700The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 7700XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.7GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D adds 3D V-Cache to a twelve-core layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It sits between the eight-core X3D chips and the 9950X3D on core count and price. Its 5.5GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (5.7GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (5.3GHz). On core count it sits mid-pack at 12 cores: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 16 cores, and the Ryzen 7 7700X comes in at 8 cores.
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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 7700X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700 at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 7700; by contrast, the Ryzen 7 7700 has it.
Highest Boost Clock2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D adds a second eight-core die to the X3D formula, giving 16 cores for work while keeping 3D V-Cache for games.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It suits a single machine that must game and render. Its 5.7GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes next at 5.5GHz. Its 16 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes next at 12 cores.
On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W. It also comes with a design aimed at both games and content creation. 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.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.7GHz maximum boost
- 16 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 7 7700 (65W)
The catch
Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 7 7700 covers it better at 65W.
Lowest Rated Power3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 7700
The Ryzen 7 7700 is the 65W version of the 7700X and ships with a Wraith Prism cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if boost clock matters most to you; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 5.7GHz.
Why we like it
It gives eight AM5 cores without buying a cooler. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 32MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.3GHz, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 5.7GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on core count (8 cores). Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Ryzen 7 7700X comes closest at 105W. 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 7 7700X was the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The lowest rated power here (65W)
Cons
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (5.7GHz)
Strong Alternative4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700 on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (5.7GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700 (5.3GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700 at 8 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 105W: the Ryzen 7 7700 offers 65W, and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 7700 and below the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- 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
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 9900X3D (128MB)
- Core count trails the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (16 cores)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 9 9900X3D offers 128MB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 9 9900X3D to the Ryzen 7 7700X, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share AM5 socket and DDR5 memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 9 9900X3D for 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D for the highest boost clock here (5.7GHz); the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 7700 ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Star Citizen
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D tops L3 cache at 128MB and the Ryzen 7 7700X sits lowest at 32MB; 2 picks share the top figure. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D sets the ceiling at 128MB.
Boost clock across these picks
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5.3GHz (the Ryzen 7 7700) to 5.7GHz (the Ryzen 9 9950X3D). The Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes second at 5.5GHz, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Core count
Across these 4 picks core count spans 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 7700X) to 16 cores (the Ryzen 9 9950X3D). For less, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the runner-up at 12 cores.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D: a design aimed at both games and content creation. The Ryzen 7 7700: a Wraith Prism cooler in the box. The Ryzen 7 7700X: a 5nm process.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 7 7700 and the Ryzen 7 7700X; $500 to $1000 buys the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Star Citizen
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip | Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | The highest boost clock here (5.7GHz) |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 7700 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 7 7700X | The Zen 4 architecture |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads on L3 cache at 128MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 128MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 128MB | 5.5GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 128MB | 5.7GHz | 16 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 7700 | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 7 7700, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 7700, Ryzen 7 7700X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D on boost clock?
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D tops boost clock at 5.7GHz; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D follows at 5.5GHz, 4% apart. The Ryzen 7 7700 closes the ranking at 5.3GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or the Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
Between the top two, it is 16 cores on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D against 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 33% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 7700X at 8 cores.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Ryzen 7 7700 or the Ryzen 7 7700X?
Between the top two, it is 65W on the Ryzen 7 7700 against 105W on the Ryzen 7 7700X, a 38% difference. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is at the other end of this group with 170W.
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 7 7700?
On paper it adds L3 cache (128MB against 32MB), boost clock (5.7GHz against 5.3GHz) and core count (16 cores against 8 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 7 7700 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 7 7700 sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 9 9950X3D the Highest Boost Clock?
The label rests on the highest boost clock here (5.7GHz). The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is next on boost clock at 5.5GHz, so this pick's 5.7GHz is 4% further out. It gives up rated power (170W against 65W) to the Ryzen 7 7700, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at anyone who puts boost clock first.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Ryzen 7 7700 has it; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 7 7700X do not.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, chosen for 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. Look at the Ryzen 9 9950X3D for the highest boost clock here (5.7GHz), the Ryzen 7 7700 for the lowest rated power here (65W) and the Ryzen 7 7700X for the Zen 4 architecture if those matter more to you.
Use 32GB of RAM or more.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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