Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Cyberpunk 2077
Three processors compared, from the Ryzen 7 5700X to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Cyberpunk 2077 loads the CPU heavily in crowded districts and with path tracing. Every pick has eight or more cores and at least 32MB of L3 cache, ordered by cache size.
Cyberpunk 2077's official PC requirements list Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D are a newer generation than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D; the Ryzen 7 5700X is an older generation than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The Ryzen 7 5700X clears only the minimum tier (Ryzen 5 1600), not the recommended one.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; where a maker leaves out max boost, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Best for: Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DThe highest core count here (16 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 7 5700XThe lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (16 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D adds 3D V-Cache to a twelve-core layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It sits between the eight-core X3D chips and the 9950X3D on core count and price. On core count it sits mid-pack at 12 cores: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 16 cores, and the Ryzen 7 5700X comes in at 8 cores. Like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses an AM4 socket.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 5700X and below the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
Highest Core Count2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D adds a second eight-core die to the X3D formula, giving 16 cores for work while keeping 3D V-Cache for games.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It suits a single machine that must game and render. Its 16 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes next at 12 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 65W.
Like the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses an AM4 socket. You also get a design aimed at both games and content creation. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. Only the Ryzen 9 9900X3D came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.7GHz maximum boost
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700X (65W)
The catch
It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 65W.
Lowest Rated Power3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
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
- Buyers who put rated power 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
It also offers a 32MB L3 cache and offers an 8 cores core count. Its 32MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads at 128MB. On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 16 cores.
Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes closest at 120W. It is the only pick here with an AM4 socket; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an AM5 socket instead. No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 memory; compare the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which has DDR5 memory.
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 9 9900X3D was closest.
Key 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
- AM4 socket, the only one here
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 9900X3D (128MB)
- No published boost clock
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D covers it better at 128MB.
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 three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and boost clock and cooler in box are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 9 9900X3D to the Ryzen 7 5700X, state L3 cache, core count and rated power.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 5700X gives no boost clock; the Ryzen 7 5700X gives no cooler in box.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 5700X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Cyberpunk 2077
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 32MB on the Ryzen 7 5700X to 128MB on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 300% spread. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D sets the ceiling at 128MB.
Core count
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D tops core count at 16 cores and the Ryzen 7 5700X sits lowest at 8 cores. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes second at 12 cores, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Rated power
Across these 3 picks rated power spans 170W (the Ryzen 9 9950X3D) to 65W (the Ryzen 7 5700X). Start with the Ryzen 7 5700X if rated power decides it.
Memory
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D list DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700X lists DDR4.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
How to Choose a CPUs for Cyberpunk 2077
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip | Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip |
| Buyers who put core count first | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | The highest core count here (16 cores) |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 7 5700X | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads on L3 cache at 128MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 128MB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Ryzen 7 5700X leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 128MB | 5.5GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 128MB | 5.7GHz | 16 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | Not listed | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 7 5700X, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Cyberpunk 2077 at recommended settings?
In Cyberpunk 2077's list, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. The Ryzen 7 5700X does not, reaching only the minimum tier. Cyberpunk 2077 also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Which has the highest core count: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or the Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
Between the top two, it is 16 cores on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D against 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 33% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 5700X at 8 cores.
How does the Ryzen 9 9900X3D compare with the Ryzen 7 5700X on rated power?
The Ryzen 7 5700X comes out best at 65W, with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 120W. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is at the other end of this group with 170W.
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D on boost clock?
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D tops boost clock at 5.7GHz; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D follows at 5.5GHz, 4% apart. No boost clock figure is published for the Ryzen 7 5700X, which leaves 2 of 3 picks ranked here.
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 7 5700X?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (128MB against 32MB) and core count (16 cores against 8 cores) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 7 5700X still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 7 5700X sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 9 9950X3D the Highest Core Count?
It carries the badge for the highest core count here (16 cores). The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is next on core count at 12 cores, so this pick's 16 cores is 33% further out. It gives up rated power (170W against 65W) to the Ryzen 7 5700X, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at anyone who puts core count first.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, chosen for 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. Look at the Ryzen 9 9950X3D for the highest core count here (16 cores) and the Ryzen 7 5700X for the lowest rated power here (65W) if those matter more to you.
Enable Resizable BAR in the BIOS; it's required for some upscaling features and helps several GPUs.
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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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