Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Street Fighter 6
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core i7-14700KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Core i5-12400F costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Street Fighter 6 lists a Core i7-8700 or Ryzen 5 3600 for its recommended tier. Every pick is an LGA1700 processor with at least six cores that cost between $150 and $350.
Street Fighter 6's official PC requirements list Intel Core i7 8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Street Fighter 6 on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Core i5-13600K, the Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i5-12400F are a newer generation than the Core i7-8700.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out rated power, we say so.
Requirements source: Street Fighter 6 on Steam
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Intel Core i5-13600K
The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Spending more than the Core i7-12700K costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i7-12700K
8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-12700K (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The largest L3 cache here (33MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i5-14600K
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i5-12400F
Undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-14600K the next step up.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Spending more than the Core i7-12700K costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Check price for Intel Core i7-12700K (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (33MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-14600K the next step up. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Intel Core i5-13600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-13600K is the previous-generation fourteen-core LGA1700 chip.
Best for
- Spending more than the Core i7-12700K costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It fits the same boards as the 14600K. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14600K on core count (14 cores). It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Core i7-12700K.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i7-12700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i7-12700K brings to the table is 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, plus integrated Intel UHD graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Skip if
- Its rated power is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 25MB L3 cache and offers a 5GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 25MB: the Core i7-14700KF offers 33MB, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 18MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 4.4GHz.
Its 12 cores core count ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (6 cores). It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core i7-14700KF and the pricier Core i5-13600K, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated power; if that figure matters, the Core i5-13600K offers 125W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 25MB
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Socket: LGA1700
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores
- Integrated Intel UHD graphics
Cons
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache3 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. Its 33MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core i7-12700K comes next at 25MB. Its 5.6GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core i5-14600K comes next at 5.3GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 20 cores core count; the Core i5-13600K comes closest at 14 cores. It also comes with 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Core i5-14600K and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i7-12700K cost more. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i5-13600K; by contrast, the Core i5-13600K has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 33MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 28
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. It matches the Core i5-13600K on L3 cache (24MB).
Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz). On core count it ties with the Core i5-13600K at 14 cores. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Core i5-12400F and below the Core i7-14700KF at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-14600K the next step up.
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
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it trails the group at 18MB, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 33MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.4GHz, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz.
Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 20 cores. It also offers six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It undercut the Core i5-14600K and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
- Undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
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 from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated power and threads have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core i5-13600K to the Core i5-12400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share LGA1700 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i7-12700K gives no rated power; the Core i7-12700K gives no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i5-12400F ($150 to $250) to the Core i5-13600K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Street Fighter 6
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
The Core i7-14700KF tops L3 cache at 33MB and the Core i5-12400F sits lowest at 18MB. Start with the Core i7-14700KF if L3 cache decides it.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 4.4GHz on the Core i5-12400F to 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700KF, a 27% spread. For less, the Core i5-14600K is the runner-up at 5.3GHz ($150 to $250 tier).
Core count across these picks
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Core i5-12400F) to 20 cores (the Core i7-14700KF). If core count is your first filter, the Core i7-14700KF sets the ceiling at 20 cores.
Extras that separate them
The Core i7-12700K: integrated Intel UHD graphics. The Core i5-14600K: support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards. The Core i5-12400F: DDR4 and DDR5 support.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Core i5-12400F and the Core i5-14600K; $250 to $500 buys the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i7-12700K and the Core i5-13600K at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Street Fighter 6
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more than the Core i7-12700K costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Core i5-13600K | The top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core i7-12700K | 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core i7-14700KF | The largest L3 cache here (33MB) |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600K | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Core i5-14600K the next step up | Core i5-12400F | Undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i7-14700KF leads on L3 cache at 33MB, ahead of the Core i7-12700K at 25MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core i7-12700K leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-13600K | 24MB | 5.1GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-12700K | 25MB | 5GHz | 12 cores | Not listed |
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core i5-12400F was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Core i5-13600K the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-12400F, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-14700KF, Core i7-12700K, Core i5-13600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Street Fighter 6 at recommended settings?
In Street Fighter 6's list, the Core i5-13600K, the Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i5-12400F meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Street Fighter 6 also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Core i7-14700KF or the Core i7-12700K?
The Core i7-14700KF tops L3 cache at 33MB; the Core i7-12700K follows at 25MB, 32% apart. The Core i5-12400F closes the ranking at 18MB.
Is the Core i7-14700KF ahead of the Core i5-14600K on boost clock?
The Core i7-14700KF leads at 5.6GHz, with the Core i5-14600K at 5.3GHz. The Core i5-12400F is at the other end of this group with 4.4GHz.
How does the Core i5-13600K compare with the Core i7-14700KF on core count?
Between the top two, it is 20 cores on the Core i7-14700KF against 14 cores on the Core i5-13600K, a 43% difference. The Core i5-12400F is at the other end of this group with 6 cores.
What does the Core i5-13600K add over the Core i5-12400F?
On paper it adds L3 cache (24MB against 18MB), boost clock (5.1GHz against 4.4GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Core i5-12400F was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core i5-13600K in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i7-14700KF our Largest Game Cache pick?
It carries the badge for the largest L3 cache here (33MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core i7-12700K, 33MB against 25MB, a 32% margin. The Core i5-12400F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i5-13600K, chosen for the top of this price range, adding 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. Look at the Core i7-12700K for 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, the Core i5-14600K for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and the Core i5-12400F for undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Check the board socket and BIOS before ordering.