Best CPU for Palworld – our top Intel and AMD processors

Finding the best CPU for Palworld doesn't have to be difficult

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Palworld is the biggest game on the planet right now, and it hasn’t even left early access yet. Millions are playing what many are coining ‘Pokémon with guns’, enjoying its colorful visuals and collecting Pals to bring back to their bases. There’s good news for those looking to play the game on PC at max settings, the recommended system requirements are actually pretty modest – so providing you have the best monitor for Palworld and the best GPU for Palworld, you’re going to be jumping into the game in no time.

Of course, all of this doesn’t matter if your CPU isn’t up to scratch, which is why we’ve pulled together a number of high-end, and budget options, designed to smash through Palworld’s system requirements. A quick look at the Palworld system requirements means you’ll really need five cores if you’re to run the game, but ideally you’ll need a CPU with plenty more. If you’re after a more comprehensive list, you may want to check out the best CPUs for gaming in 2024 – which includes some of the 14th Gen Intel options that, we feel, may be tad expensive unless you’re after the very cutting edge. Let’s dive into our best CPUs for Palworld.

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Best Intel CPU for Palworld

Kicking things off with the best Intel CPU for Palworld right now. While the recommended specs of Palworld feature a 9th-gen pick, it makes much more sense to include a much more up-to-date processor if you want your PC to be future proof and aim for the best graphics settings for Palworld.

Intel Core i5-13600K

Intel Core i5-13600K

Cores

14

Threads

20

Base speed

P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz

Boost speed

P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz

Cache

20MB

TDP

125 W / 181 W boost.

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Pros

• High core count for an entry level CPU
• High base and boost speeds
• Efficient
• backwards compatible with 12th gen motherboards

Cons

• Runs very warm

The Intel Core i5 13600K we reviewed may not be the newest kid on the block, but it’s still one of the most best processors around in our opinion. For close to $300, you are getting a 5.1GHz boost clock, superb single-threaded performance, and plentiful 14 cores. This will make light work of games like Palworld, and set up nicely should other more demanding titles come out this year. Yes, there are better CPUs out there, but for casual gaming on a decent budget, the 13600K is the best choice for those with motherboard sockets that support this generation.

Best budget CPU for Palworld

Looking to save some cash? Well, you can manage it while still meeting the minimum system requirements. Here’s another from Intel, part of their budget-friendly i3 range.

Intel Core i3-12100F

Intel Core i3-12100F

Core (threads)

4/8

Boost clock

4.3 GHz

Socket

Lga 1700

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Pros

• Efficient
• Budget friendly
• excellent low-power option

Cons

• Doesn’t hold up to more powerful CPUs
• Little future-proofing

This really should only be if you’re looking to game on a budget, as it just about beats the minimum requirements for the game. Obviously, there’s no overclocking support here, but for the price that is to be expected. Still, don’t let the four cores put you off. This CPU can handle itself with esports titles such as Fortnite, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2, so this is a decent option for those not wanting to splash their cash. We would always advise, though, to push yourself a bit more when it comes to a CPU, as for sometimes a modest increase in price, you can see a much better bang for your buck. Which leads us nicely into our other top pick.

Best AMD CPU for Palworld

For AMD builds, there are a good range of options. If you’re looking for the best of the best – this is it if you want the max FPS your system can pump out, especially when paired with a capable video card.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

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Ryzen 9 7950X3D

Best AMD Ryzen CPU for Gaming

Ryzen 9 7950X3D

Cores:

16

Thread:

32

Boost speed:

5.7 GHz

Cache:

144 MB

TDP:

120W

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Pros

• 3D V-cache makes for fantastic gaming performance
• Less limited thanks to dual CCD config
• Relatively efficient

Cons

• Expensive
• Locked to auto overclocking, no manual

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is one of the best processors around. Not only will it make light work Palworld, but it’ll rinse through every other game you throw at it, thanks to its 16 CPU cores and 32 threads, all clocked at 5.7GHz. It’s also got an enormous V-cache thanks to the stacked 3D design, which does bring with it some heating concerns (so make sure you have the best cooler for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D), but also staggering performance compared to the previous generation’s 5800X3D. Hands down the best choice for Palworld, and more, if you’re sporting an AMD compatible mobo on the latest AM5 platform.

This choice from AMD is more than enough to deal with Palworld’s performance requirements and the plentiful cache can help boost frame rates in CPU-intensive games such as open-world survival games. If you’re also going to be streaming the game or doing a lot of video content (makes sense given how popular this game is), then this flagship model is unbeatable if you’re looking for compatibility with your updated AMD build.