Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Starfield
Five processors compared, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core Ultra 7 265K, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Starfield lists a Ryzen 5 3600X or Core i5-10600K for its recommended tier, and its busy cities add processor load. Every pick has at least eight cores on an AM5 or LGA1851 socket and cost $340 or less, ordered by core count.
Starfield's official PC requirements list AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Starfield on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF are a newer generation than the Core i5-10600K; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 8700G are a newer generation than the Ryzen 5 3600X.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Starfield on Steam
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
Undercutting the Ryzen 7 8700G on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 8700G.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Ryzen 7 8700G on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 8700G. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (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
Also Consider1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 7 265KF is the 265K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for any display output. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265K at 30MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265K at 5.5GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 7 265K on core count (20 cores). It matches the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245KF; the Ryzen 7 8700G goes with an AM5 socket.
It also offers 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. Its price falls between the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Core Ultra 7 265K, based on our last check. 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: 30MB
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 7 265K is Intel's strongest all-rounder here, with 20 cores for games plus background work, on the LGA1851 socket.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a builder who wants an Intel platform and a lot of multi-threaded headroom. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 30MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 5.5GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 7 265KF and the Core Ultra 5 245KF on rated power (125W). You also get 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and a built-in NPU for AI features. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Core Ultra 7 265KF. 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: 30MB
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 8700G.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it trails the group at 24MB, while the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 8700G comes in at 5.1GHz.
Its 14 cores core count ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 7 265KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 8700G (8 cores). It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It undercut the Ryzen 7 8700G and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 64MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (30MB). Nothing else here matches its 5.6GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 7 265KF comes closest at 5.5GHz.
On core count it sits mid-pack at 12 cores: the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores, and the Ryzen 7 8700G comes in at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 125W. Like the Ryzen 7 8700G, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses an LGA1851 socket.
It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 8700G and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core Ultra 7 265KF cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 170W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 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 Core Ultra 7 265KF (125W)
Strong Alternative5 of 5
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 you need to know its L3 cache before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5.1GHz boost clock and offers an 8 cores core count. Its 5.1GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz. On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF offers 20 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 7900X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core Ultra 7 265KF uses an LGA1851 socket. 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. When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost less, and the Ryzen 9 7900X cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 9 7900X instead: it offers 64MB, while this one gives no figure.
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
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz)
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 7 265KF (20 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and rated power are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 7 265KF to the Ryzen 7 8700G, state boost clock, core count and threads and share DDR5 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 7 8700G gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 7 8700G gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Core Ultra 7 265K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Starfield
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Across these 5 picks boost clock spans 5.1GHz (the Ryzen 7 8700G) to 5.6GHz (the Ryzen 9 7900X). The Ryzen 9 7900X is the pick for boost clock.
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 8700G to 20 cores on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, a 150% spread. Start with the Core Ultra 7 265KF if core count decides it.
How much L3 cache you need
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops L3 cache at 64MB and the Core Ultra 5 245KF sits lowest at 24MB. If L3 cache is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 7900X sets the ceiling at 64MB. The Ryzen 7 8700G gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Core Ultra 7 265K, the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X go without; the Ryzen 7 8700G has it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The Core Ultra 5 245KF: Intel 800-series chipset support. The Ryzen 9 7900X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 7 8700G: a Wraith Spire cooler in the box.
How to Choose a CPUs for Starfield
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores | Core Ultra 7 265KF | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less | Core Ultra 7 265K | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 7 8700G | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Ryzen 7 8700G on price when we checked |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 9 7900X | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| 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 9 7900X leads on boost clock at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 5.5GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 7 8700G leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Not listed | 5.1GHz | 8 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core Ultra 5 245KF, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core Ultra 7 265K at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 8700G, Ryzen 9 7900X, Core Ultra 7 265KF, Core Ultra 7 265K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run Starfield at recommended settings?
In Starfield's list, the Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Core Ultra 7 265K, the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 8700G meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. Starfield also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
How does the Core Ultra 7 265KF compare with the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock?
Between the top two, it is 5.6GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900X against 5.5GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, a 2% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 7 8700G at 5.1GHz.
Is the Ryzen 9 7900X ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265KF on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB, with the Core Ultra 7 265KF at 30MB. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is at the other end of this group with 24MB. The Ryzen 7 8700G doesn't state a L3 cache figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core Ultra 7 265K worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.2GHz), core count (20 cores against 14 cores) and L3 cache (30MB against 24MB). The Core Ultra 5 245KF sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core Ultra 7 265K in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 9 7900X the Largest Game Cache?
It carries the badge for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). The Core Ultra 7 265KF is next on L3 cache at 30MB, so this pick's 64MB is 113% further out. It gives up core count (12 cores against 14 cores) and rated power (170W against 125W) to the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Do the Core Ultra 7 265KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 7 265KF, the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF use LGA1851; the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 8700G use AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 7 265KF, chosen for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. Look at the Core Ultra 7 265K for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group, the Core Ultra 5 245KF for undercutting the Ryzen 7 8700G on price when we checked and the Ryzen 7 8700G for AMD's fastest integrated graphics in a desktop chip at launch if those matter more to you.
Plan for 16GB of RAM, which the recommended tier lists.