Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for a First Build
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 9 7900 has the largest L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A CPU with a cooler in the box makes a first build simpler. Every pick includes a cooler, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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 5600.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
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 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5600. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | 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 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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 in the build.
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
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 9 7900 leads at 64MB. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 5.4GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 5600, it has an AM4 socket, while the Ryzen 9 7900 uses an AM5 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 5 5600 was closest.
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 5600
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 3
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 32MB: the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 64MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.4GHz: the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Ryzen 9 7900 goes with an AM5 socket. You also get DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap.
On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Ryzen 9 7900, at the time of writing. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 12 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- 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 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
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
Largest Game Cache3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900 is the 65W twelve-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Prism cooler included.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Ryzen 5 5500, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It trades a little boost clock for lower heat. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 64MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (4.4GHz).
On core count it leads this guide at 12 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores). You get an AM5 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 5 5600 and its an AM4 socket. DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses DDR4 memory.
It also comes with 12 cores at a 65W rating. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5600. If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
Cons
- 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 three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 9 7900, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share cooler in box.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 5500 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5600; the Ryzen 5 5600 for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box; the Ryzen 9 7900 for the largest L3 cache here (64MB).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 9 7900 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for a First Build
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900. The Ryzen 5 5600 comes second for less money.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900. For less, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the runner-up at 4.4GHz.
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5600 to 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900. Start with the Ryzen 9 7900 if core count decides it.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 list DDR4; the Ryzen 9 7900 lists DDR5. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 9 7900 have it. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
How to Choose a CPUs for a First Build
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5600 |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5600 | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 9 7900 | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 9 7900 | 64MB | 5.4GHz | 12 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick and the Ryzen 9 7900 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 5600 compare with the Ryzen 9 7900 on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 64MB, with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 16MB.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 9 7900 or the Ryzen 5 5600?
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 5.4GHz, with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
Is the Ryzen 9 7900 ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count?
The Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 12 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 9 7900 add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds L3 cache (64MB against 16MB), boost clock (5.4GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (12 cores against 6 cores). The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 9 7900 our Largest Game Cache pick?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). It suits games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 9 7900 differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5600 use AM4; the Ryzen 9 7900 uses AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5600. Look at the Ryzen 5 5600 for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box if those matter more to you.
Leave the pre-applied paste on the stock cooler.