Buying Guide
The Best 12-Core CPUs
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Ryzen 9 9900X has the lowest rated power, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Twelve cores suit rendering and heavy multitasking alongside gaming. Every pick has 12 to 14 cores (Intel's counts include efficiency cores), ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and if a maker skips L3 cache, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KFUndercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 9 7900XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 9 9900XThe lowest rated power here (120W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D3D V-Cache aimed at gaming and creator work at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (120W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 3D V-Cache aimed at gaming and creator work at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. It matches the Core i5-14600KF on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz.
On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14600KF at 125W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Core i5-14600KF has an LGA1700 socket instead. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i5-14600KF was closest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 14
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz)
The catch
Boost clock is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 5.6GHz.
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600KF
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 14 cores. It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an LGA1851 socket instead. No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Ryzen 9 9900X, which has DDR5 memory.
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.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- Boost clock of 5.3GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 64MB.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO is a problem.
Why we like it
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 9900X at 64MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 9900X at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D on core count (12 cores). Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 9 9900X leads at 120W. It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D; the Core i5-14600KF 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 third of 5, between the cheaper Core i5-14600KF and the pricier Ryzen 9 9900X, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 9 9900X (120W)
The catch
The trade-off is rated power; for more, the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 120W.
Lowest Rated Power4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
The Ryzen 9 9900X steps down to 12 cores on Zen 5.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It leaves plenty of threads for an encoder alongside a game, with a lower power rating than the 16-core chips. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 64MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D on core count (12 cores). On rated power it leads this guide at 120W, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 9 7900X3D; the Core i5-14600KF goes with an LGA1700 socket.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 9 7900X and the pricier Ryzen 9 7900X3D, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D
The Ryzen 9 7900X3D is built around 3D V-Cache aimed at gaming and creator work, with a liquid cooler recommended by AMD on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5.5GHz boost clock and offers a 12 cores core count. Its 5.5GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X at 12 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 9 9900X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. 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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- 3D V-Cache aimed at gaming and creator work
- Liquid cooler recommended by AMD
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores)
The catch
If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 9 7900X instead: it offers 64MB, while this one gives no figure.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 9 7900X3D, state boost clock, core count and threads.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 9 7900X3D gives no L3 cache; the Ryzen 9 7900X3D gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 7900X3D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 12-Core CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops boost clock at 5.6GHz and the Core Ultra 5 245KF sits lowest at 5.2GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. If boost clock is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 7900X sets the ceiling at 5.6GHz.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900X3D to 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 17% spread. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the pick for core count.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC L3 cache across these picks
Across these 4 picks L3 cache spans 24MB (the Core i5-14600KF) to 64MB (the Ryzen 9 7900X). The Ryzen 9 7900X is the pick for L3 cache. The Ryzen 9 7900X3D gives no L3 cache figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D list DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF lists DDR4 or DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600KF, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D go without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 5 picks to 5.
How to Choose a 12-Core CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600KF | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 9 7900X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 9 9900X | The lowest rated power here (120W) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs less | Ryzen 9 7900X3D | 3D V-Cache aimed at gaming and creator work at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on boost clock at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9900X at 5.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 9 7900X3D leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X3D | Not listed | 5.5GHz | 12 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 245KF was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Core i5-14600KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900X, Ryzen 9 9900X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 7900X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 245KF compare with the Ryzen 9 9900X on rated power?
Between the top two, it is 120W on the Ryzen 9 9900X against 125W on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 4% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 9 7900X at 170W. No rated power figure is published for the Ryzen 9 7900X3D, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Ryzen 9 7900X3D add over the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
On paper it adds boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.2GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 245KF still leads on core count (14 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 245KF was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 9 9900X our Lowest Rated Power pick?
The label rests on the lowest rated power here (120W). On rated power it leads the Core Ultra 5 245KF, 120W against 125W, a 4% margin. The price of that: the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the cheapest pick, still beats it on core count (14 cores against 12 cores). It makes sense for anyone who puts rated power first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14600KF uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D use AM5.
What extras do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF include?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF, chosen for undercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, the Ryzen 9 7900X for the Zen 4 architecture and the Ryzen 9 9900X for the lowest rated power here (120W) if those matter more to you.
Check whether your apps scale past eight cores before paying for twelve.
Related Guides
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- Higher budgetThe Best High-End Intel CPUs for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best 6-Core CPUs
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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