Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Hogwarts Legacy
We weighed three processors on boost clock and core count; the Ryzen 7 9700X has the highest boost clock, and the Ryzen 7 7700X costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Hogwarts Legacy lists a Core i7-8700 or Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB of RAM for its recommended tier. Every pick is an AM5 processor with at least eight cores that cost $300 or less, ordered by boost clock.
Hogwarts Legacy's official PC requirements list Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Hogwarts Legacy on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 8700G are a newer generation than the Ryzen 5 3600.
Rankings weigh max boost, cores / threads and threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and if a maker skips memory, the guide says so.
Requirements source: Hogwarts Legacy on Steam
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Best for: Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab) |
| AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch. | Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 7 9700X brings to the table is an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Ryzen 7 7700X cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Nothing else here matches its 5.5GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 7 7700X comes closest at 5.4GHz. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 8700G the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost
- The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz)
Cons
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.4GHz: the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz, and the Ryzen 7 8700G comes in at 5.1GHz. It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It undercut the Ryzen 7 8700G and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 7 8700G. If that matters, the Ryzen 7 8700G has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- No cooler in the box
Also Consider3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 8700G stands out for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch, and it adds a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Skip if
- Skip it if boost clock matters most to you; the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.1GHz, while the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Ryzen 7 7700X and the pricier Ryzen 7 9700X, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch
Cons
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three processors on boost clock, core count, threads and socket from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while memory and cooler in box have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Ryzen 7 9700X to the Ryzen 7 8700G, state boost clock, core count and threads and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 9700X gives no memory; the Ryzen 7 9700X gives no cooler in box.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 7700X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 9700X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Hogwarts Legacy
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
The Ryzen 7 9700X tops boost clock at 5.5GHz and the Ryzen 7 8700G sits lowest at 5.1GHz. The Ryzen 7 7700X comes second at 5.4GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 9700X.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost. The Ryzen 7 7700X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 7 8700G: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 7 7700X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 7 9700X at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put boost clock first: the Ryzen 7 9700X. Keeping the cost under $250: the Ryzen 7 7700X.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
How to Choose a CPUs for Hogwarts Legacy
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 9700X | The highest boost clock here (5.5GHz) |
| Keeping the cost under $250 | Ryzen 7 7700X | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch | Ryzen 7 8700G | AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads on boost clock at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz.
| Processor | Max boost | Cores / threads | Threads | Socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 16 | AM5 |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 16 | AM5 |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | 16 | AM5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 7 7700X was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 7 9700X the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 7700X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 8700G, Ryzen 7 9700X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Hogwarts Legacy at recommended settings?
In Hogwarts Legacy's list, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 8700G meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Hogwarts Legacy also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Is the Ryzen 7 9700X ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz, with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz. The Ryzen 7 8700G closes the ranking at 5.1GHz.
What does the Ryzen 7 9700X add over the Ryzen 7 7700X?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.4GHz). On our last price check the Ryzen 7 7700X was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 9700X in the $250 to $500 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 7 9700X our Highest Boost Clock pick?
It carries the badge for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). On boost clock it leads the Ryzen 7 7700X, 5.5GHz against 5.4GHz, a 2% margin. The Ryzen 7 7700X, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts boost clock first.
Does the Ryzen 7 8700G have cooler in box, and which others do?
The Ryzen 7 8700G has it; the Ryzen 7 7700X does not. The Ryzen 7 9700X has no cooler in box listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 7700X include?
The Ryzen 7 9700X: an AM5 processor with a 3.8GHz base and 5.5GHz boost. The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 7 8700G: AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 9700X, chosen for the highest boost clock here (5.5GHz). Look at the Ryzen 7 7700X for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the Ryzen 7 8700G for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch if those matter more to you.
AM5 boards use DDR5 only, so budget for the memory as well.