The Best CPUs for Diablo 4

It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Core i5-14600KF offers 24MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on core count (6 cores). It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500F and Ryzen 7 5800X; the Core i5-14600K goes with an LGA1700 socket.

It also comes with 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 undercut the Ryzen 5 5500F and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on core count (6 cores).

It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 7 5800X; the Core i5-14600K 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.

On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Core i5-14600KF, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Core i5-14600KF offers 24MB.

It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 24MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 5.3GHz.

It matches the Core i5-14600K on core count (14 cores). It matches the Core i5-14600K on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14600K; the Ryzen 7 5800X goes with an AM4 socket.

You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500F and the pricier Core i5-14600K, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.

Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB.

On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 5.3GHz. It matches the Core i5-14600KF on core count (14 cores). It matches the Core i5-14600KF on rated power (125W).

It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included.

Its price falls between the Core i5-14600KF and the Ryzen 7 5800X, based on our last check. If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W) is the stronger choice.

It also offers a 4.7GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core i5-14600KF (5.3GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz). On core count it sits mid-pack at 8 cores: the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 5500F comes in at 6 cores.

Like the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5500F, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-14600KF uses 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14600K the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core i5-14600KF instead: it offers 24MB, while this one gives no figure.