Best CPU for Rocket League
Best CPU for Rocket League? Let's find out
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Rocket League is a unique gaming experience that is both thrilling and challenging, known for its unique and innovative twist on the soccer game genre. The game is free to play and has an active multiplayer community, so if you’re looking to pick it up yourself, you may be wondering what the best CPU for Rocket League is.
Now Read: Best CPU for gaming 2023
Best CPU for Rocket League
What are Rocket League’s CPU requirements?
The recommended processor for Rocket League is a 3.0GHz+ quadcore. No specific processor has been named by the developers, although the listed specs very closely resemble those of the earliest Core i5 processors released in the 2010s.
As you can probably tell based on these CPU requirements, Rocket League isn’t a very computationally demanding game. The game places much more of a burden on the GPU, especially at higher resolutions. So, while you can get away with having a relatively weaker CPU for Rocket League, you want to make sure you’re pairing it up with a capable GPU to enjoy the game at its best.
Check out our best GPU for Rocket League article to learn more.
But as for the CPU, most computers today will be outfitted with one that’s capable of playing Rocket League at least 60FPS.
Best CPU for Rocket League – Intel Core i5-13400F
The CPU we’re recommending for Rocket League is the recently released Intel Core i5-13400F. This processor is the latest addition to the Core i5 series and was released in January 2023. It features the latest architecture and technologies, so you get a decent amount of future-proofing with this pick.
Intel Core i5-13400F
Brand
Intel
CPU Model
Core i5
CPU Speed
4.6 GHz
Platform
Windows
But as for the 13400F itself, it’s a very capable processor. The 13400F features the hybrid core architecture Intel introduced to us with their 12th-generation processors.
It has 6 hyperthreaded performance cores that can boost up to a respective 4.6GHz clock speed, designed for high performance in both single-threaded and multithreaded workloads.
A further 4 efficiency cores that improve power efficiency and lower CPU usage and pitch in to help tackle multithreaded workloads at high CPU usage.
This configuration results in a very versatile processor that delivers powerful gaming and productivity performance, all for a budget-friendly ~$200 price point, and that’s a large part of why we’ve chosen the 13400 in particular.
The 13400F’s power efficiency at low workloads means it’s a great pick if you’re looking for 60FPS gaming in Rocket League.
However, if you’re looking to play Rocket League at 144 or even 240FPS – as you ideally would considering the affordability and availability of powerful entry-level PC components today – the 13400F can easily do that for you as well. And with plenty of resources left to spare for background processes and multitasking.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to pair this processor up with a capable entry-level to mid-range GPU to enjoy Rocket League at its best.
The RX 6600 and RTX 3050 both make for excellent budget-friendly pairings, although the 13400F can easily handle stronger cards such as the RTX 4070 Ti as well.
Final word
To summarize, we recommend picking up an Intel Core i5-13400F for the best Rocket League gaming experience. It’s powerful, versatile, and offers incredible value for its price.
It may be a tad bit overkill for Rocket League particularly if you aren’t looking to play at the very best settings. If you would rather go with something cheaper that can still offer you an enjoyable Rocket League gaming experience, the Intel i3-12100F is worth taking a look at.
