Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for a First Build
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 5 5600X has the largest L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 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 out L3 cache, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500The 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.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500FA Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 5700The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 5600XThe largest L3 cache here (32MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GTIntegrated Radeon graphics at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check 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 on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (8 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (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 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Integrated Radeon graphics at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
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
- 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. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 on L3 cache (16MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on boost clock (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600GT at 6 cores. 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 5500F was closest.
Key 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
The catch
What it gives up: L3 cache of 16MB, behind the Ryzen 5 5600X (32MB); by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 32MB.
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
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
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
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, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600GT at 6 cores.
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. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 5500 cost less, and the Ryzen 7 5700 cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 5 5600X instead: it offers 32MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key 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 Core Count3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
The Ryzen 7 5700 is built around a 65W TDP, with a Wraith Spire cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16MB L3 cache and offers a 4.6GHz boost clock. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on L3 cache (16MB). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600GT on boost clock (4.6GHz).
Its 8 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes next at 6 cores. It also offers a 65W TDP. 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 5500F and below the Ryzen 5 5600X at the time of writing. It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 32MB.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 16MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600X (32MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is for AM4 owners: it drops into existing boards after a BIOS update and keeps your DDR4.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
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 includes a Wraith Stealth cooler but has no integrated graphics. Nothing else here matches its 32MB L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5500 comes closest at 16MB. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5600GT on boost clock (4.6GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT at 6 cores. It also comes with PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. 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. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 5700 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 5600GT cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- 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
- PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (32MB)
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
The catch
Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 5500 covers it better at 65W.
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT
The Ryzen 5 5600GT is built around integrated Radeon graphics, with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.6GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600X on core count (6 cores).
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 highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5600X and the rest. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 32MB.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated Radeon graphics
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
- Integrated Radeon graphics at the highest price in the group
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No published L3 cache
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 5600GT, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM4 socket and DDR4 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5600GT gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 5 5600GT ($150 to $250).
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 boost clock you need
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 4.2GHz (the Ryzen 5 5500F) to 4.6GHz (the Ryzen 7 5700). The Ryzen 7 5700 is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
The Ryzen 7 5700 tops core count at 8 cores and the Ryzen 5 5600GT sits lowest at 6 cores. Start with the Ryzen 7 5700 if core count decides it.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 7 5700 to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X, a 100% spread. Start with the Ryzen 5 5600X if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 7 5700: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5600X: PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. The Ryzen 5 5600GT: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the Ryzen 5 5500; $100 to $150 buys the Ryzen 5 5500F; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 7 5700, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600GT at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for a First Build
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 core count first | Ryzen 7 5700 | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 5 5600X | The largest L3 cache here (32MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less | Ryzen 5 5600GT | Integrated Radeon graphics at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5700 leads on boost clock at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT leave 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 |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600GT | Not listed | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
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 5 5600GT 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 |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700, Ryzen 5 5600X, Ryzen 5 5600GT |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 5 5500 compare with the Ryzen 7 5700 on core count?
The Ryzen 7 5700 leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Ryzen 5 5600X or the Ryzen 5 5500?
Between the top two, it is 32MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X against 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500, a 100% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 5600GT are left out of this ranking because their L3 cache isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 5 5600GT add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
What it brings is boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 5600GT in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 5 5500 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F include?
The Ryzen 5 5500: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5500F: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 7 5700: a 65W TDP.
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 Ryzen 7 5700 for the highest core count here (8 cores) and the Ryzen 5 5600GT for integrated Radeon graphics at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Leave the pre-applied paste on the stock cooler.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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