Intel i5 processors are great options for the typical computer user. With each new generation, computers can perform better and faster than before. But is an i5 processor good for serious and casual gamers alike who are looking to run high-performance games?
A lot of popular games can be run just fine on an i5 processor. Lower quality games usually require at least an i3 processor, while higher quality ones require an i7. You can still run higher quality games on an i5 processor, however, the performance will be lesser.
Keep reading to learn more about sixteen specific games and the settings they need to run smoothly on your computer.
Apex Legends
Since Apex Legends is a newer game (released in February 2019), it is recommended that you play this game with a processor that is 10th generation or newer. Older generations may not offer the same high quality.
You’ll need at least 6GB of RAM to run the game, but 8GB of RAM is ideal for the best experience.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
This game requires an i3 processor or better to run. So any i5 processor should be able to handle this game with no issues, and better performance to boot!
Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Counter Strike: Global Offensive, or CS: GO for short, was released ten years ago, but maintains a sizable community of gamers. This game can easily run on any i5 processor without difficulty.
Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight is optimized for an i3 processor or better, so an i5 processor will run the game just fine. However, the game is also optimized for a Windows 10 OS, so the performance on computers which are older or not up-to-date might be lacking.
Final Fantasy XIV
This installment of the Final Fantasy series has some pretty high requirements for your computer. The game needs an i5 processor with at least 3.3 GHz to run. The processors from the 8th generation and later meet this requirement.
A 7th generation i5 processor may be able to handle the game as well, but at a significantly lower quality. For highest quality gameplay, an i7 processor is recommended.
Fortnite
Fortnite can run on the latest i3, i5, or i7 processors. For the best graphics and framerate, use a 10th or 11th generation i5 processor. On older generations, you may have to lower the resolution settings for smoother gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto V
Any i5 processor is powerful enough to play GTA V. However, for the ideal gameplay experience, use a 10th or 11th generation i5 processor.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
This game is actually six games in one. The collection includes Halo: Reach, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo 4. All of the games in this collection can be played using a i5 processor.
The minimum requirement for this game is a 64-bit processor, and all i5 processors meet this criterion.
Jurassic World: Evolution II
The sequel to Jurassic World: Evolution came out in 2021. It requires a 10th generation i5 processor, or better, to play. You will also need 8 GB of RAM and a Windows 10 OS. The ideal gameplay experience requires 12 GB of RAM and an i7 processor.
Your i5 processor will handle the game, but for the best graphics and framerate, you’d need a more advanced processor.
League of Legends
League of Legends is an old enough game that any i5 processor should be more than enough to handle this game. Some players have reported problems when they play on a computer with a Windows 11 operating system, so it’s best to use Windows 10.
Minecraft
Minecraft may look like a simple game, but it requires at a minimum an i3 processor to play. For ideal gameplay, an i5 processor works wonderfully.
Overwatch
An i5 processor will give you the best gameplay experience for this game. The i5 processor yields the highest and smoothest framerate.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
This game is not quite as system-heavy as some of the others on this list. Civilization VI works best on any i5 processor that is 4th generation or better.
Star Wars Battlefront II
This game is pretty beefy. The optimal experience calls for an i7 processor, however the game should run on an i5 processor as long as it is 10th generation or newer. The game also needs 60 GB of storage space, so make sure you have the room for it!
The Sims 4
This game recommends an i5 processor to play. Even processors as old as 4th generation should handle the game just fine!
World of Warcraft
An i5 processor is the minimum requirement to play World of Warcraft. The game is recommended for an i7 processor, so your i5 processor may yield a slightly lower-quality gameplay experience.
Conclusion
An Intel Core i5 processor gives gamers a wide berth of games to choose from. Some of the more intense games may not have the best graphics or frame rate as they would with a more advanced processor, but there are very few games that cannot be played on these processors. Happy gaming!
