The Best CPUs To Play Rust (2024)

Rust is one of the most successful survival video games out there currently and also happens to be one of the most regularly updated titles. It has made its way to more than just the PC, launching on both the Xbox and the PlayStation platforms. Despite consistent updates, it also happens to be one of the more demanding titles in terms of hardware, simply due to the sheer amount of assets in play for the game.

This is despite its relatively low hardware requirements on Steam compared to most of its peers. Much of this is possibly due to the increasingly complex and diverse build options that are in play for the game, which can cause clans to build larger bases to make it challenging for both their clients and the private servers they may play on.

Rust's hardware requirements as published on Steam (Source: Steam Client)

Finding The Right Gaming CPU For Rust

Much like most of its survival multiplayer peers, Rust benefits directly from a more capable CPU as a CPU-bound title. This means users benefit from paying more attention to the CPU they invest in for their gaming than most of their other components, assuming a decent GPU is already in play.

The game particularly benefits from AMD's current and previous-generation X3D CPUs that offer a larger L3 cache, which the game uses relatively well compared to competing titles. However, it also benefits from higher CPU clocks and most users find that they hit a CPU bottleneck far easier than a GPU one, making choosing the right CPU for their Rust sessions a crucial decision.

Most users see their FPS cap at around 200 FPS even when using higher-end hardware with no frame rate limits. This could be considered acceptable by gamers in a title that leans heavily into multiplayer FPS themes that involve a variety of weapons.

The team at Game Rant has made a curated list of some of the best CPUs gamers can get to play a title like Rust with a focus on performance, upgrade potential, and value for money below.

The Best Gaming CPUs For Rust

The Best Overall Gaming CPU For Rust

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

3D V-Cache Infused Raids

$367 $449 Save $82

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.

The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade.

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Brand

AMD

CPU Model

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

CPU Socket

AM5

Cores

8

Threads

16

PCIe 4.0 Support

Yes, Supports up to PCI-E 5.0

Architecture

Zen 4

Process

5nm

Base Clock Speed

4.2GHz

Boost Clock Speed

5.0GHz

Cache

8MB L2 + 96MB L3

TDP

120W

iGPU

Yes, Integrated Radeon 2 Core

Pros

• Offers the fastest gaming CPU experience for Rust currently
• Extremely power efficient versus its competition
• Considerably better value for money than AMD and Intel's top-shelf CPUs for Gaming

Cons

• Does trade at a premium for an octa-core CPU

$367 at Amazon$379 at Newegg$379 at Walmart

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread CPU that generally leads the charts when it comes to gaming performance. Much of this is due to its larger L3 cache which certain titles, including Rust, leverage exceptionally well. This, coupled with the IPC gains it offers over last-generation X3D CPUs such as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (which is also a favorite among older Rust players) and the promise of AM5 as a newer platform with support for PCI-E 5.0, DDR5, and ongoing BIOS updates on newer chipsets make it a clear favorite.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is also considerably more power efficient than its peers from Intel as well as last-generation AMD CPUs. Given that Rust is a title users play for hours, if not days on end, this can help users rack up considerable power savings and work with a PC that has more thermal headroom for their GPU while exploring the world in Rust.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D does trade at a significant premium currently for an octa-core CPU but does more than make up for that as a "specialized" gaming CPU that is considerably less demanding than the competition.

The Best Intel Gaming CPU For Rust

Intel Core i7 14700KF 20-Core, 28-Thread CPU

Raptor Lake Refreshed

$370 $435 Save $65

The Intel Core i7 14700KF is the iGPU-less version of the unlocked Intel Core i7 14700K CPU, offering four additional efficiency cores and a lower price thanks to it skipping the integrated Intel UHD 770 that the latter offers. It requires a discrete graphics card for display and adequate cooling for one of the most power-hungry CPUs.

Brand

Intel

CPU Model

Core i7 14700KF

CPU Socket

LGA 1700

Cores

20 (8P + 12E Cores)

Threads

28

Architecture

Raptor Lake Refresh

Process

Intel 7 (10 nm)

Base Clock Speed

3.4 GHz

Boost Clock Speed

5.6 GHz

Cache

28MB L2 + 33MB L3

RAM

Upto 192GB DDR5 RAM

PCIe

PCI-E 4.0/5.0 Support

Graphics

N/A

Power Draw

253W Turbo

Pros

• Offers arguably the best value-for-money Intel CPU currently
• Comes with a promotional copy of Star Wars: Outlaws at select retailers
• Can also double as a capable productivity-centric CPU

Cons

• Runs considerably hotter than its AMD competition
• Is more demanding in terms of power than its peers

$370 at Amazon$370 at Newegg

For users opting for an Intel-based setup for their Rust needs, the Intel Core i7 14700K delivers the goods. It offers solid single-core performance, high clocks, and extra cores for users wanting to switch back into productivity use cases or even stream their Rust escapades. The Intel Core i7 14700K is a 20-core, 28-thread juggernaut that comes with a free copy of Star Wars: Outlaws at the time of writing at certain retailers, making it a little cheaper than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D above when factoring in the cost of the game itself, even as it delivers excellent performance across the board in multiple titles, including Rust for gamers.

At the same time, Intel's CPUs run considerably hotter than the competition and the rebadged 14700K is no exception as it increases clocks versus its predecessor by another 200 MHz to keep things humming on the performance side of the equation. This results in a more demanding CPU in terms of both power and cooling, which makes for more expensive cooling needs, such as a high-end AIO to keep things going smoothly for the LGA 1700-based CPU.

The Best Budget Gaming CPU For Rust

AMD Ryzen 5 7600

Zen 4 On A Budget

$187 $229 Save $42

The Ryzen 5 7600 is the entry-level, yet very capable, gaming CPU from AMD that features6 cores, 12 threads, and 32MB of L3 cache. It has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The Ryzen 5 7600 is an unlocked processor with a default TDP of 65W. It also has integrated RDNA 2 graphics and is the cheapest offering in the lineup with an iGPU.

Brand

AMD

CPU Model

Ryzen 5 7600

CPU Socket

AM5

Cores

6

Threads

12

Architecture

Zen4

Process

TSMC 5nm FinFET

Base Clock Speed

3.8 GHz

Boost Clock Speed

5.1 GHz

Cache

L1:384Kb, L2:6MB, L3:32MB

RAM

DDR5 Support

PCIe

PCI-E 5.0 and lower

Graphics

RDNA 2

PCIe 4.0 Support

Yes

TDP

65W

iGPU

Yes, RDNA 2

Pros

• Offers an impressive price-to-performance ratio
• Ships with a stock cooler while remaining overclockable
• Considerable more power efficient than the competition

Cons

• Requires a new AM5 motherboard and DDR5 memory for users upgrading from last-gen CPUs

$187 at Amazon$187 at Newegg

The mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a great hexacore CPU to lean on for one's Rust journey. It allows users to save money by bundling a capable stock cooler even as it leverages the relatively newer AM5 socket while remaining overclockable for modders looking to eke out more performance. The Ryzen 5 7600 is a capable CPU in its own right, offering arguably the best gaming performance available to end users under $200, even as they have an upgrade path to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and upcoming Ryzen 9000 series CPUs alike.

At the same time, it might be a larger investment than most users already playing Rust would be willing to undertake, since users would have to factor in the cost of both a new AM5 motherboard and new DDR5 memory. For those who do, however, the Ryzen 5 7600 is a solid starting point that won't let you or your clan-mates down in 2024.

The Best Mid-Range Gaming CPU For Rust

Core i5 13600KF

Value-Centric Rocket Lake

$240 $250 Save $10

TheIntel Core i5 13600KF Processor is an excellent workhorse. It comes unlocked, does away with the integrated graphics on its non-F variant, and proceeds to eat the last generation i7 for lunch as it dethrones it to take its position as Intel's most complex and yet simple choice for a gaming processor when it comes to value and in-game performance for pc-builders and gamers going the Intel route.

Brand

Intel

TDP

181W

Cores

14

Threads

20

iGPU

No

CPU Model

Core i5 13600KF

CPU Socket

LGA 1700

PCIe 4.0 Support

PCI-E 5.0 and 4.0 support

Base Clock Speed

3.5GHz

Boost Clock Speed

5.1GHz

Cache

24MB

Pros

• Is one of the best CPUs from Intel in terms of price-to-performance
• Performs similarly to its Core i7 alternative in most games
• Works with existing LGA 1700 motherboards

Cons

• Runs hotter than the competition

$240 at Amazon$240 at Walmart$240 at Newegg

For users looking for a more balanced mid-range gaming CPU, the Rocket Lake-based Intel Core i5 13600KF delivers the goods, offering Intel's Rocket Lake cores, high single-core performance, and compatibility with existing LGA 1700 motherboards as well as DDR4 and DDR5 memory depending on the model one opts for.

The 13600KF comes close to the 13th generation Core i7 CPU in terms of gaming performance while clocking in an aggressive $250 price tag that makes it a great pick-up for most users looking for an upgrade. It does not, however, ship with a cooler and is demanding thermally, making it important for users to be sure if they are covered on the thermals side of the equation.

The Best High-End Gaming CPU For Rust

AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Desktop Processor

16-Core Zen 4 Winner

$547 $699 Save $152

The16-core, 32-thread desktop AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor is AMD's answer to a resurgent Intel 13th generation processor lineup as it attempts to wrest back the gaming crown with the same technology that made the last generation 5800X3D such a powerful CPU.

With 128MB of L3 cache on offer, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D leverages its 3D V-Cache muscle in gaming as well as its powerful new Zen 4-based cores in productivity to make for a potent enthusiast-grade CPU in the offing.

Socket

AMD AM5

Brand

AMD

TDP

120W

Cores

16

Threads

32

iGPU

Yes, RDNA 2

L3 Cache

128MB

Base Clock

4.2 GHz

Boost Clock

5.7 GHz

Pros

• Leverages a large L3 cache to perform when in a variety of games including Rust
• Offers an impressive 16 core configuration for productivity use cases
• Runs more power efficiently than the competition

Cons

• Considerably pricier than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D which exhibits similar performance

$547 at Amazon$649 at Newegg$599 at Best Buy

For users looking to play and work on the same PC, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D might not cut it in terms of raw performance required for the latter. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D has no such problems as it adds another 8 cores sans the extra L3 cache the second time around to the same chip, keeping its advantage intact but allowing for significant productivity gains.

This is also why AMD advertises the 7950X3D (and the lower-end Ryzen 9 7900X3D) as a "for creators" CPU. It's a powerful but premium option for gamers looking to play or stream Rust as one of the many things they plan to do on their PC in 2024.

The Best AM4 Gaming CPU For Rust

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread Processor

AM4's Finest Hour

$350 $449 Save $99

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D launched just over a year ago and still holds its own against AMD's and Intel's best-in-class CPUs when it comes to gaming. That alone speaks volumes about the PC gaming heavyweight processor that has simply refused to die versus subsequent iterations of Intel CPUs.

Socket

AMD AM4

Brand

AMD

TDP

105W

Cores

8

Threads

16

iGPU

N/A

L3 Cache

96MB

Base Clock

3.4GHz

Boost Clock

4.5GHz

Pros

• Offers the best gaming performance of any last-gen CPU
• Can be used with existing AM4 socket motherboards
• Is a relatively cost-effective upgrade for users with AM4 motherboards and DDR4 RAM

Cons

• Has no further upgrade path currently
• Limited to PCI-E 4.0 speeds and lower clocked RAMs on current hardware

$350 at Amazon$348 at Newegg$350 at Walmart

Gamers searching for the fastest AM4 CPU to spruce up their gaming needs can stop their search at the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Despite being the first X3D CPU in the business, it continues to defy the odds and remains a relevant force in modern gaming rigs. It does this while working with existing AM4 motherboards and DDR4 RAM, making it a slightly more cost-effective choice in the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for most games, including Rust currently.

At the same time, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is what users might call a dead-end upgrade due to most modern CPU upgrades (Zen 4 and Zen 5) appearing on the newer AM5 socket, making it a somewhat tough decision to invest north of $300 on a CPU that is not expected to have any upgrade paths in the foreseeable future.

Rust

You wake naked on a mysterious island armed only with a rock and a torch. You’ll need to brave natural dangers (from heat and cold to thirst and starvation), build a shelter, eat (or be eaten), scavenge materials. Explore the island, its abandoned settlements, mysterious monuments and the factions that occupy them. But, above all, watch out for other survivors...

Design and build bases to defend your territory or control the resources of the island. Research the tech tree, grow farms, command electricity, commandeer vehicles from horses to cars to boats to helicopters. Whatever it takes to get ahead.

There are no rules in Rust but the ones you make for yourself. Craft tools, armor and weapons to defend yourself. Cooperate with friends and allies and build a town together. Explore the island and what’s happening in it. Trade with other players. Or prey on them, raiding their bases and taking their hard-won goods.

Survival

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:67/100 Critics Recommend:30%

Platform(s)

macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One

Released

February 8, 2018

Developer(s)

Facepunch Studios

Publisher(s)

Facepunch Studios

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Violence

How Long To Beat

38 Hours

Metascore

69

See at Steam

FAQ

Q: What is the RAM requirement for Rust on a PC?

Rust requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM but recommends 16GB of RAM for optimal gameplay.

Q: How much space is needed for Rust?

Rust currently requires an installation size of 35GB. The developer recommends an SSD.