Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for GTA V
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Core i5-14400F 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
GTA V dates from 2015 and leans on a few fast cores, with extra threads helping the busy city scenes of Los Santos. Every pick is an AM4 or LGA1700 processor with at least six cores that cost $220 or less, ordered by core count.
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.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i5-14400F
The largest L3 cache here (20MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
A 65W TDP 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 7 5700 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14400F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (20MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| A 65W TDP 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 7 5700 (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14400F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 3
Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 20MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (16MB). Nothing else here matches its 4.7GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 7 5700 comes closest at 4.6GHz.
On core count it leads this guide at 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 (8 cores). On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 7 5700 offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 7 5700, which has an AM4 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 7 5700 has DDR4 memory instead. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Ryzen 7 5700 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (20MB)
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 7 5700 (65W)
Premium Pick2 of 3
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 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: 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). Its 4.6GHz boost clock ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core i5-14400F (4.7GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 8 cores: the Core i5-14400F offers 10 cores, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5500, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket.
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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i5-14400F the nearest cheaper option.
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 5500
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 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 than into the Core i5-14400F.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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). Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i5-14400F leads at 4.7GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 6 cores, while the Core i5-14400F offers 10 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 7 5700, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket.
It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i5-14400F the next step up. It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Core i5-14400F offers 20MB.
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 Core i5-14400F
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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 8 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while integrated graphics has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core i5-14400F to the Ryzen 5 5500, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 5700 gives no integrated graphics.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 7 5700 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for GTA V
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 16MB (the Ryzen 5 5500) to 20MB (the Core i5-14400F). Start with the Core i5-14400F if L3 cache decides it.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i5-14400F tops boost clock at 4.7GHz and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 4.2GHz. If boost clock is your first filter, the Core i5-14400F sets the ceiling at 4.7GHz.
Core count
The Core i5-14400F tops core count at 10 cores and the Ryzen 5 5500 sits lowest at 6 cores. The Core i5-14400F is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 list DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Cooler in box
The Core i5-14400F goes without; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 have it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for GTA V
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core i5-14400F | The largest L3 cache here (20MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less | Ryzen 7 5700 | A 65W TDP at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14400F |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i5-14400F leads on L3 cache at 20MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700 at 16MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5700 | 16MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
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 7 5700 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 7 5700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 7 5700 compare with the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache?
Between the top two, it is 20MB on the Core i5-14400F against 16MB on the Ryzen 7 5700, a 25% difference.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core i5-14400F or the Ryzen 7 5700?
The Core i5-14400F tops boost clock at 4.7GHz; the Ryzen 7 5700 follows at 4.6GHz, 2% apart. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5500 at 4.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core i5-14400F or the Ryzen 7 5700?
The Core i5-14400F tops core count at 10 cores; the Ryzen 7 5700 follows at 8 cores, 25% apart. The Ryzen 5 5500 closes the ranking at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 7 5700 add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds boost clock (4.6GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 7 5700 in the $150 to $250 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 5 5500 our Lowest Price Here pick?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14400F. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14400F.
Do the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 7 5700 differ on socket?
The Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5700 and the Ryzen 5 5500 use AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i5-14400F. Look at the Ryzen 7 5700 for a 65W TDP at the highest price in the group and the Ryzen 5 5500 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Core i5-14400F if those matter more to you.
Check the board's socket and BIOS version before ordering, especially for an older AM4 board.