Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Starlancer
Three processors compared, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Core Ultra 5 225F, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
For Starlancer, spend on the graphics card, memory or storage rather than the most powerful processor. Every pick cost $200 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; a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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 Ryzen 5 5500F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
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 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The largest L3 cache here (22MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (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 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (22MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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 than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on core count (6 cores).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500F; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. You also get a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping.
It undercut the Ryzen 5 5500F and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: L3 cache of 16MB, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). If that matters, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
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 Ryzen 5 5500F
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
Also Consider2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
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 games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Core Ultra 5 225F, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 22MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- 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
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
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
Largest Game Cache3 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
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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. Nothing else here matches its 4.9GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes closest at 4.2GHz. On core count it leads this guide at 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores).
You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5500F and its an AM4 socket. It also offers 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5500F. Buyers who need a confirmed rated power should compare it with the Ryzen 5 5500, which offers 65W.
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)
- Highest boost clock of the picks (4.9GHz)
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Core Ultra 5 225F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Starlancer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 17% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 6 cores. If core count is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 10 cores.
L3 cache
Across these 2 picks L3 cache spans 16MB (the Ryzen 5 5500) to 22MB (the Core Ultra 5 225F). If L3 cache is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 22MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 5500: one of the cheapest six-core desktop chips. The Ryzen 5 5500F: DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache. The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
How to Choose a CPUs for Starlancer
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5500F | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core Ultra 5 225F | The largest L3 cache here (22MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads on boost clock at 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 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 5500, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core Ultra 5 225F at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F, Core Ultra 5 225F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops boost clock at 4.9GHz; the Ryzen 5 5500 follows at 4.2GHz, 17% apart.
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 5 225F or the Ryzen 5 5500?
Between the top two, it is 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F against 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5500, a 67% difference.
How does the Ryzen 5 5500 compare with the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 22MB, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 16MB. No L3 cache figure is published for the Ryzen 5 5500F, which leaves 2 of 3 picks ranked here.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225F worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
What it brings is boost clock (4.9GHz against 4.2GHz), core count (10 cores against 6 cores) and L3 cache (22MB against 16MB). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Core Ultra 5 225F in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 5 5500 the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. Look at the Ryzen 5 5500F for a Wraith Stealth 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.