Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for The Last of Us Part I
Five processors compared, from the Core i5-14400F to the Core i7-14700, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Last of Us Part I lists a Ryzen 5 3600X or Core i7-8700 for its recommended tier with 16GB of RAM. Every pick is an LGA1700 processor with at least eight cores that cost $400 or less.
The Last of Us Part I's official PC requirements list AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i7-8700 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the Core i5-14400F, the Core i5-14600KF, the Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i7-14700 are a newer generation than the Core i7-8700.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips rated power, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i5-14400F
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Highest Boost Clock
Intel Core i7-14700K
The highest boost clock here (5.6GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700K (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core i7-14700
8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core i5-14400F costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (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 i5-14600KF (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 highest boost clock here (5.6GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700K (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core i5-14400F costs less. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
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 i7-14700K offers 33MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.7GHz, while the Core i7-14700K offers 5.6GHz.
Its 10 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700K leads at 20 cores. It also comes with 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.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It undercut the Core i5-14600KF and every other pick on price 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
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Core i7-14700K (33MB)
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 24MB: the Core i7-14700K offers 33MB, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 20MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.3GHz: the Core i7-14700K offers 5.6GHz, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 4.7GHz.
Its 14 cores core count ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700K (20 cores) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (10 cores). You also get 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.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Core i5-14400F and the pricier Core i7-12700K, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Core i7-14700. If that matters, the Core i7-14700 has it.
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: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 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
- Skip it if you need to know its rated power before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It also offers a 25MB L3 cache and offers a 5GHz boost clock. Its 25MB L3 cache ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700K (33MB) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (20MB). Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700K (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (4.7GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 12 cores: the Core i7-14700K offers 20 cores, and the Core i5-14400F comes in at 10 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. When we checked, only the Core i5-14600KF and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i7-14700K cost more. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Core i5-14400F instead: it offers 125W, while this one gives no figure.
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 i5-14400F at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock4 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700K runs on LGA1700 with high clocks and 20 cores.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is a strong high-refresh option for Intel owners with a compatible board and a capable cooler. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i7-14700 at 33MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Core i7-14700 (5.4GHz).
It also comes with 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards. 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.
Its price falls between the Core i7-12700K and the Core i7-14700, based on our last check. If rated power is your priority, the Core i5-14400F (125W) is the stronger choice.
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: Yes
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i7-14700 brings to the table is 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores, plus an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core i5-14400F costs less.
Skip if
- Pass if a published rated power matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It also offers a 33MB L3 cache and offers a 5.4GHz boost clock. It matches the Core i7-14700K on L3 cache (33MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700K (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (4.7GHz).
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. Only the Core i7-14700K came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published rated power figure, whereas the Core i5-14400F offers 125W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 33MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Socket: LGA1700
- Cooler in box: Yes
Pros
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores
- Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box
Cons
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
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: 2 of 5 picks leave out rated power.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core i5-14400F to the Core i7-14700, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share LGA1700 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i7-12700K and the Core i7-14700 give no rated power; the Core i7-12700K and the Core i7-14700 give no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i5-14400F ($150 to $250) to the Core i7-14700 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for The Last of Us Part I
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Across these 5 picks L3 cache spans 20MB (the Core i5-14400F) to 33MB (the Core i7-14700K). If L3 cache is your first filter, the Core i7-14700K sets the ceiling at 33MB.
Boost clock across these picks
Here boost clock runs from 4.7GHz on the Core i5-14400F to 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700K, a 19% spread. Start with the Core i7-14700K if boost clock decides it.
Core count across these picks
The Core i7-14700K tops core count at 20 cores and the Core i5-14400F sits lowest at 10 cores; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Core i7-14700K if core count decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The Core i7-12700K: integrated Intel UHD graphics. The Core i7-14700K: support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards. The Core i7-14700: an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-14600KF; $250 to $500 buys the Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i7-14700 at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for The Last of Us Part I
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF | Core i5-14400F | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600KF | 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 |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Core i7-14700K | The highest boost clock here (5.6GHz) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core i5-14400F costs less | Core i7-14700 | 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i7-14700K leads on L3 cache at 33MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700 at 33MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core i7-12700K and the Core i7-14700 leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-12700K | 25MB | 5GHz | 12 cores | Not listed |
| Core i7-14700K | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-14700 | 33MB | 5.4GHz | 20 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core i5-14400F, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core i7-14700 at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Core i5-14600KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-12700K, Core i7-14700K, Core i7-14700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run The Last of Us Part I at recommended settings?
In The Last of Us Part I's list, the Core i5-14400F, the Core i5-14600KF, the Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i7-14700 meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. The Last of Us Part I also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
How does the Core i7-14700 compare with the Core i7-14700K on boost clock?
The Core i7-14700K leads at 5.6GHz, with the Core i7-14700 at 5.4GHz. The Core i5-14400F closes the ranking at 4.7GHz.
Is the Core i7-14700 worth paying more than the Core i5-14400F?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (33MB against 20MB), boost clock (5.4GHz against 4.7GHz) and core count (20 cores against 10 cores) in its favour. The Core i5-14400F sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core i7-14700 in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
What makes the Core i5-14400F the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF. It makes sense for anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Which of these processors have cooler in box?
The Core i7-14700 has it; the Core i5-14400F, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i7-14700K do not. The maker of the Core i7-12700K doesn't state cooler in box, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-14600KF apart?
The Core i5-14400F: 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i7-12700K: 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i5-14400F, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14600KF. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, the Core i7-12700K for 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and the Core i7-14700K for the highest boost clock here (5.6GHz) if those matter more to you.
Keep the install on an SSD, which the game recommends.