The Best 12-Core CPUs

It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. It matches the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-13600K on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-13600K (5.1GHz).

It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Core i5-14600KF has an LGA1700 socket instead. Like the Ryzen 9 7900 and Ryzen 9 7900X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14600KF uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.

No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i5-14600KF was closest. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 9 7900; by contrast, the Ryzen 9 7900 has it.

It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-13600K on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-13600K (5.1GHz).

Like the Core i5-13600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. Like the Core i5-13600K, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 9 7900 uses DDR5 memory. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier.

When we checked, only the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost less, and the Ryzen 9 7900 cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 9 7900; by contrast, the Ryzen 9 7900 has it.

It trades a little boost clock for lower heat. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 64MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.4GHz: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 5.6GHz, and the Core i5-13600K comes in at 5.1GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on core count (12 cores). Its 65W rated power is the lowest here; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes next at 125W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 7900X; the Core i5-13600K goes with an LGA1700 socket.

You also get 12 cores at a 65W rating. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Its price falls between the Core i5-14600KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X, based on our last check.

It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900 at 64MB. Nothing else here matches its 5.6GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 9 7900 comes closest at 5.4GHz.

Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900 leads at 65W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 7900; the Core i5-13600K goes with an LGA1700 socket. It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.

On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 9 7900 and the pricier Core i5-13600K, at the time of writing. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores.

It fits the same boards as the 14600K. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF at 24MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.1GHz, while the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 5.6GHz.

It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14600KF; the Core Ultra 5 245KF goes with an LGA1851 socket. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips.

Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 9 7900X. If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 9 7900 (64MB) is the stronger choice.