Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for The Enchanted Cave 2
From the Core Ultra 5 225F to the Core Ultra 5 245KF: three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
For The Enchanted Cave 2, spend on the graphics card, memory or storage rather than the most powerful processor. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered by core count.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing rated power is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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 Core i5-14400F.
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)
| 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 Core i5-14400F. | 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) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 3
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. Its 24MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 22MB. Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz.
On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 5 225F; the Core i5-14400F goes with an LGA1700 socket. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
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 highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Core i5-14400F and the rest.
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 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
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F.
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. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 22MB: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 4.7GHz.
It matches the Core i5-14400F on core count (10 cores). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 5 245KF; the Core i5-14400F goes with an LGA1700 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 Core i5-14400F was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed rated power should compare it with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, which offers 125W.
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 3
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. On L3 cache it trails the group at 20MB, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.7GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 5.2GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count (10 cores). An LGA1700 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket. It also offers 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Core Ultra 5 245KF, 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
- LGA1700 socket, the only one here
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- 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 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; 5 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated power and threads have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core i5-14400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core Ultra 5 225F gives no rated power; the Core Ultra 5 225F gives no threads.
- 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 The Enchanted Cave 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 20MB on the Core i5-14400F to 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 20% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 22MB ($100 to $150 tier).
Boost clock
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops boost clock at 5.2GHz and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 4.7GHz. 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 3 picks core count spans 10 cores (the Core i5-14400F) to 14 cores (the Core Ultra 5 245KF). The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF lists DDR5; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14400F go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
How to Choose a CPUs for The Enchanted Cave 2
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 Core i5-14400F | 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on L3 cache at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core Ultra 5 225F 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 |
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 |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Core Ultra 5 245KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache?
Between the top two, it is 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 9% difference. The Core i5-14400F is at the other end of this group with 20MB.
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Core i5-14400F closes the ranking at 4.7GHz.
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.
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 225F?
What it brings is L3 cache (24MB against 22MB), boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.9GHz) and core count (14 cores against 10 cores). 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 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
What makes the Core Ultra 5 245KF the Largest Game Cache?
It earns the label for 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 makes sense for 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.
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 and the Core i5-14400F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward an SSD or more memory.