Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Starsector
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Ryzen 5 5500F costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Starsector; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered by core count.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The largest L3 cache here (24MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 5 8400F
A 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5.
Best for: Buyers who want 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (24MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | 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 lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| A 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5. | Buyers who want 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. Nothing else here matches its 24MB L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 22MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.2GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500F uses an AM4 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 8400F, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. Only the Ryzen 5 8400F came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500F; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5500F has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500F at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
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 want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (20MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 8400F uses an AM5 socket. You also get 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 5500F cost less, and the Core i5-14400F cost more. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Ryzen 5 5500F instead: it offers 65W, while this one gives no figure.
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
- L3 cache of 22MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500F at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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 20MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 24MB. It matches the Ryzen 5 8400F on boost clock (4.7GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 5500F, which has an AM4 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 8400F has DDR5 memory instead. It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 5 8400F at the time of writing.
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
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
Lowest Rated Power4 of 5
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 put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8400F at 6 cores.
Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes closest at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM4 socket; compare the Core i5-14400F, which has an LGA1700 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.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB.
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
- AM4 socket, the only one here
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
Worth a Look5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 8400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8400F is built around a 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5, with DDR5 memory support on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.7GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 6 cores. It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an LGA1851 socket instead.
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. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 245KF instead: it offers 24MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
Pros
- 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5
- DDR5 memory support
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F
- AM5 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 5 8400F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500F ($100 to $150) to the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Starsector
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500F to 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 24% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 4.9GHz, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF.
Core count
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 8400F) to 14 cores (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 10 cores ($100 to $150 tier).
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 20MB (the Core i5-14400F) to 24MB (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 22MB, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 5 8400F list DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5500F lists DDR4.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F go without; the Ryzen 5 5500F has it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for Starsector
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 245KF | The largest L3 cache here (24MB) |
| Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core Ultra 5 225F | 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 5 5500F | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who want 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5 | Ryzen 5 8400F | A 6-core Zen 4 chip for AM5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on boost clock at 5.2GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 8400F | Not listed | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Core Ultra 5 245KF the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F, Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 5 8400F, Core Ultra 5 245KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on boost clock?
Between the top two, it is 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 4.9GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 6% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500F is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 5 245KF or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops core count at 14 cores; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 10 cores, 40% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 8400F at 6 cores.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core Ultra 5 245KF or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops L3 cache at 24MB; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 22MB, 9% apart. The Core i5-14400F closes the ranking at 20MB. No L3 cache figure is published for the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 8400F, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Core Ultra 5 245KF add over the Ryzen 5 5500F?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500F still leads on rated power (65W). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core Ultra 5 245KF in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 5 5500F our Lowest Rated Power pick?
The label rests on the lowest rated power here (65W). On rated power it leads the Core Ultra 5 245KF, 65W against 125W, a 48% margin. It is aimed at anyone who puts rated power first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 5 5500F uses AM4; the Ryzen 5 8400F uses AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F for the lowest rated power here (65W) if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward an SSD or more memory.