Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Victoria 2
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Ryzen 7 5700X has the largest L3 cache, and the Ryzen 5 5500 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for Victoria 2; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
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.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
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 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The highest boost clock here (4.9GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i5-12400
18MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 18MB of cache.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (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 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (4.9GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| 18MB of cache. | Buyers who want 18MB of cache. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400 (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (32MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 32MB. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on boost clock (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 5500F and Ryzen 7 5700X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket. You also get a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
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 Ryzen 5 5500F the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- 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
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F
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
Also Consider2 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 want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on boost clock (4.2GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores.
Like the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 7 5700X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 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 was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 32MB.
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
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
Highest Boost Clock3 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 put boost clock first.
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. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 4.9GHz, ahead of the Core i5-12400 (4.4GHz).
Its 10 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 5700X comes next at 8 cores. It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Ryzen 5 5500 has an AM4 socket instead. 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 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-12400 cost more. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Ryzen 5 5500 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 i5-12400
- Highest boost clock of the picks (4.9GHz)
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Intel Core i5-12400 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Core i5-12400 brings to the table is 18MB of cache, plus a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo.
Best for
- Buyers who want 18MB of cache.
Skip if
- Pass if a published core count matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
The maker lists 18MB of L3 cache and an LGA1700 socket, so it needs a compatible board. Built-in Intel UHD Graphics 730 supports up to four monitors, which lets you set up the PC before adding a graphics card. Its 18MB L3 cache ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB).
Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (4.9GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz). No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Core Ultra 5 225F, which has an LGA1851 socket. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing. There is no published core count figure, whereas the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Socket: LGA1700
Pros
- 18MB of cache
- 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
- Boost clock of 4.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- No published core count
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X stands out for 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP, and it adds DDR4-3200 dual-channel support.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 32MB L3 cache and offers an 8 cores core count. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (22MB). Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 4 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (6 cores).
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5500F; the Core i5-12400 goes with 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Core i5-12400. Buyers who need a confirmed boost clock should compare it with the Core Ultra 5 225F, which offers 4.9GHz.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 32MB of L3 cache at a 65W TDP
- DDR4-3200 dual-channel support
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No published boost clock
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 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 lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and boost clock are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X, state socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 5700X gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 7 5700X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Victoria 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 4 picks L3 cache spans 16MB (the Ryzen 5 5500) to 32MB (the Ryzen 7 5700X). The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 22MB, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Ryzen 7 5700X. The Ryzen 5 5500F gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much boost clock you need
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops boost clock at 4.9GHz and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 4.2GHz. If boost clock is your first filter, the Core Ultra 5 225F sets the ceiling at 4.9GHz. The Ryzen 7 5700X gives no boost clock figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Core count
The Core Ultra 5 225F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 6 cores. The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for core count. The Core i5-12400 gives no core count figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
Extras that separate them
The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards. The Core i5-12400: a 2.5GHz base clock with 4.4GHz turbo. The Ryzen 7 5700X: DDR4-3200 dual-channel support.
How to Choose a CPUs for Victoria 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5500F | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Core Ultra 5 225F | The highest boost clock here (4.9GHz) |
| Buyers who want 18MB of cache | Core i5-12400 | 18MB of cache |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 7 5700X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5700X leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core i5-12400 | 18MB | 4.4GHz | Not listed | Not listed |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | Not listed | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Ryzen 7 5700X the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F, Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-12400, Ryzen 7 5700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 7 5700X tops L3 cache at 32MB; the Core Ultra 5 225F follows at 22MB, 45% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5500 at 16MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F doesn't state a L3 cache figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Core i5-12400 compare with the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 4.9GHz, with the Core i5-12400 at 4.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500F closes the ranking at 4.2GHz. The Ryzen 7 5700X is left out of this ranking because its boost clock isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Ryzen 7 5700X compare with the Core Ultra 5 225F on core count?
The Core Ultra 5 225F leads at 10 cores, with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 8 cores. The Ryzen 5 5500F is at the other end of this group with 6 cores. The Core i5-12400 is left out of this ranking because its core count isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 7 5700X add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (32MB against 16MB) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores) in its favour. On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 7 5700X in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 5700X our Largest Game Cache pick?
It carries the badge for the largest L3 cache here (32MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 32MB against 22MB, a 45% margin. The Ryzen 5 5500, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 7 5700X use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851; the Core i5-12400 uses LGA1700.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. Look at the Ryzen 5 5500F for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, the Core Ultra 5 225F for the highest boost clock here (4.9GHz) and the Core i5-12400 for 18MB of cache if those matter more to you.
Check the motherboard's socket and BIOS version before ordering a processor.