Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Black Myth: Wukong
From the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 5600X: four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Black Myth: Wukong lists a Ryzen 5 5500 or Core i7-9700 for its recommended tier, so AM4 chips can carry it. Every pick is an AM4 processor with at least six cores that cost $350 or less, ordered by L3 cache.
Black Myth: Wukong's official PC requirements list Intel Core i7-9700 / AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Black Myth: Wukong on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 5700 are the same generation as the Ryzen 5 5500 but a higher model; the Ryzen 5 5500 is the same model class as the Ryzen 5 5500.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so.
Requirements source: Black Myth: Wukong on Steam
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards 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.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
The highest core count here (8 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
A lower price than the Ryzen 5 5600 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards 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 5600X (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Ryzen 5 5600 and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 5 5600X (4.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. You also get DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. 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 Ryzen 7 5700 at the time of writing.
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 7 5700
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
Premium Pick2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600X is for AM4 owners: it drops into existing boards after a BIOS update and keeps your DDR4.
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
It includes a Wraith Stealth cooler but has no integrated graphics. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700 at 4.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores). You also get 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 7 5700.
Key dimensions & 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
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700
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 4
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz.
Its 8 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 5600 comes next at 6 cores. It also comes with 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. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600 and the pricier Ryzen 5 5600X, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 5600
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 stands out for a 65W TDP with 19MB of cache, and it adds a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up.
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 also offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5600X leads at 4.6GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600X 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. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Ryzen 5 5600 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
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 65W TDP with 19MB of cache
- A lower price than the Ryzen 5 5600 and the rest when we checked
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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 7 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and integrated graphics have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 5500, state boost clock, core count and rated power and share AM4 socket and DDR4 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500 gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 give no integrated graphics.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 5 5600X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Black Myth: Wukong
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 5 5600X tops boost clock at 4.6GHz and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 4.2GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the Ryzen 7 5700 is the runner-up at 4.6GHz.
Core count across these picks
Across these 4 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 5500) to 8 cores (the Ryzen 7 5700). If core count is your first filter, the Ryzen 7 5700 sets the ceiling at 8 cores.
L3 cache
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 16MB (the Ryzen 7 5700) to 32MB (the Ryzen 5 5600). Start with the Ryzen 5 5600 if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 5 5500 gives no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 5 5600X: PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. The Ryzen 7 5700: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5500: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the Ryzen 5 5500; $150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5600X at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for Black Myth: Wukong
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5600 | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less | Ryzen 5 5600X | PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 7 5700 | The highest core count here (8 cores) |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up | Ryzen 5 5500 | A lower price than the Ryzen 5 5600 and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 5600X leads on boost clock at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 at 4.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500 leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 5 5500, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 5 5600X at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Ryzen 7 5700, Ryzen 5 5600X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Black Myth: Wukong at recommended settings?
In Black Myth: Wukong's list, the Ryzen 5 5600, the Ryzen 5 5600X, the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Black Myth: Wukong also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
How does the Ryzen 5 5600 compare with the Ryzen 7 5700 on core count?
The Ryzen 7 5700 leads at 8 cores, with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 5 5600X worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5500?
What it brings is boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 5600X in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 5700 the Highest Core Count?
It carries the badge for the highest core count here (8 cores). The Ryzen 5 5600 is next on core count at 6 cores, so this pick's 8 cores is 33% further out. 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 anyone who puts core count first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 5600X apart?
The Ryzen 5 5600: a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. The Ryzen 5 5600X: PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. The Ryzen 7 5700: a 65W TDP.
Should I pick the Ryzen 5 5600 or the Ryzen 5 5500?
The Ryzen 5 5600 suits buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box; the Ryzen 5 5500 suits spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 5600 the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5600, chosen for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. Look at the Ryzen 5 5600X for PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards at the highest price in the group, the Ryzen 7 5700 for the highest core count here (8 cores) and the Ryzen 5 5500 for a lower price than the Ryzen 5 5600 and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
AM4 boards may need a BIOS update for newer chips, so check the support list.