Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Superfighters Deluxe
From the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Core Ultra 5 245KF: 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
Superfighters Deluxe does not push current hardware, so this guide is about the lowest-cost processor that suits a wider library. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered by core count.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say 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: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 8500G.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
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 8500G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
Intel Core i5-9400F
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (24MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 8500G. | 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) |
| A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F (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
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 8500G comes next at 5GHz.
Nothing else here matches its 14 cores core count; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 10 cores. It matches the Core i5-14400F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Ryzen 5 8500G goes with an AM5 socket.
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 Core i5-9400F and the rest. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G 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 Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 8500G.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 22MB: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 9MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 4.1GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 5 245KF; the Ryzen 5 8500G goes with an AM5 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 8500G was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed rated power should compare it with the Core i5-9400F, 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
- 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
Also Consider3 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
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 20MB: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 9MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 4.1GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores). It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF on rated power (125W). An LGA1700 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket.
You get DDR4 or DDR5 memory here, which sets it apart from the Core Ultra 5 245KF and its DDR5 memory. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 8500G and the pricier Core i5-9400F, at the time of writing. The trade-off is rated power; for more, the Core i5-9400F offers 65W.
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
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-9400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Core i5-9400F (65W)
Strong Alternative4 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
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
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 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-9400F (4.1GHz). It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an LGA1851 socket instead.
Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. 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 Ultra 5 225F cost less, and the Core i5-14400F 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: 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
- Boost clock of 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
Lowest Rated Power5 of 5
Intel Core i5-9400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-9400F has six cores at a 65W rating and no integrated graphics.
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 is the low-cost way to move a 300-series board off a dual- or quad-core chip. On L3 cache it trails the group at 9MB, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.1GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 8500G on core count (6 cores). On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (125W). An LGA1151 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket.
You get DDR4 memory here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 8500G and its DDR5 memory. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core i5-14400F and the pricier Core Ultra 5 245KF, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 9MB
- Max boost: 4.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 6
- Socket: LGA1151
- Memory: DDR4
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 6 cores at a 65W rating
- LGA1151 socket, the only one here
- DDR4 memory, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB)
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: 1 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core i5-9400F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 8500G give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Superfighters Deluxe
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 4.1GHz (the Core i5-9400F) to 5.2GHz (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). For less, the Ryzen 5 8500G is the runner-up at 5GHz ($100 to $150 tier).
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Core i5-9400F to 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 133% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 10 cores, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF.
L3 cache across these picks
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops L3 cache at 24MB and the Core i5-9400F sits lowest at 9MB. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 22MB ($100 to $150 tier). The Ryzen 5 8500G gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 5 8500G list DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Core i5-9400F lists DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F go without; the Ryzen 5 8500G has it. Settling cooler in box first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for Superfighters Deluxe
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core Ultra 5 245KF | The largest L3 cache here (24MB) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 8500G | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core i5-14400F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 8500G | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Core i5-9400F | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
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 Ryzen 5 8500G at 5GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G leaves 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 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-9400F | 9MB | 4.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core Ultra 5 225F, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core Ultra 5 245KF at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F, Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Core i5-9400F, Core Ultra 5 245KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 8500G 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 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G, a 4% difference. The Core i5-9400F closes the ranking at 4.1GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. The spread runs down to the Core i5-9400F 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 spread runs down to the Core i5-9400F at 9MB. The Ryzen 5 8500G doesn't state a L3 cache figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The spec sheets show boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.9GHz), core count (14 cores against 10 cores) and L3 cache (24MB against 22MB) in its favour. The Core Ultra 5 225F sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core Ultra 5 245KF in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Core Ultra 5 245KF the Largest Game Cache?
The label rests on the largest L3 cache here (24MB). The Core Ultra 5 225F is next on L3 cache at 22MB, so this pick's 24MB is 9% further out. The Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
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 8500G uses AM5; the Core i5-9400F uses LGA1151.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for the lowest price among these processors at the time of writing, the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores and the Ryzen 5 8500G for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.