Best CPU for Diablo 4 in 2023 – processors from Intel & Ryzen

As Blizzard’s latest RPG game becomes available to play, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the best CPU for Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 is set to release on June 6th 2023 following its Early Access starting on March 17th (!). Since it’s the early bird that catches the worm, you’ll want to make sure you’ve checked out the Open Beta system requirements before launching into the game.

With the release of the Intel 14th Gen, the CPU game has shifted as the Intel 14th Gen specs are more than impressive. Whilst our three choices, remain brilliant options for Diablo 4, the new generation CPUs are definitely ones to take a look at. Make sure you know where to buy the Intel 14th Gen as they are being considered as some of the best CPU for gaming.

The good news is that it has relatively low system requirements, meaning the CPUs on this list are relatively affordable. That is if you don’t sport a next-gen Nvidia graphics card that supports DLSS 3. In case you missed the news, Diablo 4 will support DLSS 3 at launch, meaning you could get a significant visual upgrade to your gaming experience.

Before joining the Beta, it’s worth evaluating your gaming set-up to ensure you’ve got everything you need for the best gaming experience. Indeed, the last thing you want is to be let down by outdated PC hardware.

Once that’s all sorted, we’ll get stuck right in – here are the best CPUs for Diablo 4.

Best overall CPU for Diablo 4 – Intel Core i5-13600K

Intel Core i5-13600K

Cores

14

Threads

20

Base Speed

3.5 GHz

Boost Speed

5.1 GHz

Cache

24MB L3

TDP

125W

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Pros

• Impressive performance
• Can be used with a budget DDR4 motherboard
• Integrated graphics
• Support for PCIe 5.0

Cons

• CPU cooler not included
• Limited overclocking

Our first CPU is the Intel Core i5-13600K. This Raptor Lake-S CPU made by Intel is remarkably capable, and has more than enough horsepower to run Diablo IV without subjecting you to any lag or stutter.

The Core i5-13600K comes with 14 cores and a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz. Thanks to the boost frequency though, that clock speed can reach up to 5.1 GHz when necessary (especially useful for titles like Diablo). Plus, using Intel’s Hyper-threading technology, you’ll have access to 20 cores, making playing demanding titles a breeze.

In terms of its compatibility, there’s DDR5 compatibility up to 5600 MT/s, which is going to absolutely blow away the new Blizzard title, especially if you’re able to pair it with the recommended 16GB of RAM.

Read More: Best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti

Given the fact that the rated power consumption is 125W, it’s a good idea to also invest in adequate cooling for this chip. Actually, since the multiplier is unlocked out of the box, you might even think about overclocking it for even better performance (though you should definitely look into making the necessary cooling arrangements if you do this). This is really an incredible CPU, one that can be depended upon everything from web-browsing to encoding and, yes, playing AAA games like Diablo IV.

If you do want the best performance though, we’d definitely recommend ensuring that you get a suitable GPU to go along with it.

Best runner up CPU for Diablo 4 – AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Cores

6

Threads

12

Base speed

4.7GHz

Boost speed

5.3GHz

Cache

32MB

TDP

105W

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Pros

• Powerful enough to handle flagship GPUs
• Support for PCIe 5.0

Cons

• No included cooler
• Can be expensive to upgrade to AM5

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Next on our list is the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X. This Raphael CPU from AMD, while being incredibly capable of running a game like Diablo IV, is being sold for a very fair asking price. That’s why we’ve chosen it to be our runner up CPU for playing Blizzard’s next hack n’ slash title!

Read More: Ryzen 5 7600 vs Ryzen 5 7600X – which CPU should you pick?

With a core clock speed of 4.7 GHz across 6 cores, the 7600X can boost its performance up to 5.3 GHz during intense usage. That’s enough horsepower for some seriously outstanding performance, especially when you consider that there are 12 threads (essentially giving you the power of 12 cores at a slight speed penalty).

It has DDR5 compatibility, too, with support for 5200 MHz dual-channel sticks. Since Diablo IV only recommends 16GB – even at the highest settings – pairing this chip with 16 or more gigs is going to provide a buttery smooth performance, free of lag or stutter, meaning you can focus on having the best experience possible.

Like the 5800X3D, this is another AMD chip with a 105W TDP. This means you’re in a much better position to keep your rig cool, without needing to invest in overly expensive cooling options (though we never recommend against this, especially if you want your components to last as long as possible).

Plus, with an unlocked multiplier, you can take the 7600X even further. Since you’re already getting such a beast of a chip in this price range, we think it actually makes a fantastic prospect for overclocking, especially for hardcore gamers on a budget who want to get the best frame rates possible.

It really is nice when you’re able to pick up extremely capable components at a great price point. Usually you need to buy used hardware to get this kind of value but, since the 7600X can be picked up brand new for well under $300, we have to pick it for our best Diablo IV budget CPU!

Best budget CPU for Diablo 4 – AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Core Count

8

Thread Count

16

CPU Speed

4.5 GHz

TDP

105W

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Pros

• Great for DLLS 3
• Support for PCIe 4.0
• Low power consumption

Cons

• No overclocking support
• No integrated graphics

As our budget pick, we have the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Although it might lack the juice contained in the i5-13600K, this Vermeer CPU from AMD manages to pack a serious punch while providing improved power efficiency.

The 5800X3D has a base clock speed of 3.4 GHz and 8 cores, which can be boosted to 4.5 GHz as and when required by your operating system. Using AMD’s Simultaneous Multithreading technology, those cores can access up to 16 threads at once, meaning better performance when doing any intensive task, not just gaming.

Read More: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – which CPU should you go for?

While it is limited to PCIe 4.0 cards (or PCIe 5.0 products at PCIe 4.0 speeds), you’re still going to get a tremendous gaming experience out of it. Blizzard only asks for a GTX 970 or RX 470, so we think you’ll easily be able to play Diablo IV at high – if not ultra – settings by combining the 5800X3D with an affordable PCIe 4.0 GPU.

One advantage of this CPU is the fact that the power consumption is only rated to 105W, significantly less than an option like the i5-13600K. This means less energy usage, and lower electricity bills. However, the CPU has a locked multiplier, so overclocking is going to provide negligible benefits here.

Really, though, if what you want is a great CPU that can easily play titles like Diablo IV, this is definitely the way to go. It has all the power to provide really great performance with any current AAA title and, with enough RAM and a good GPU, you’ll still have a very premium gaming rig to experiment with.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the minimum CPU equivalent you need to play Diablo 4?

You will need a tleast an Intel Core i5-2500K to play Diablo 4, though it’s recommended you use an Intel Core i5-4670K or later.

Does DLSS 3 help CPU performance?

Yes, DLSS 3 alleviates the chance of CPU bottlenecks by creating new frame rates that don’t pass through the CPU.