Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for the RX 9070
Four processors compared, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core Ultra 7 265K, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
The RX 9070 is a 1440p card, so a fast six or eight-core chip keeps it fed without overspending. Every pick has at least six cores, boosts to 5.2GHz or more and cost $350 or less.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads come from each maker's published specs; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Intel Core i7-14700KF
8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The largest L3 cache here (64MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
Undercutting the Core i7-14700KF on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (64MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Core i7-14700KF on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the bo rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 33MB: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes in at 24MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 5.6GHz.
It matches the Core Ultra 7 265K on core count (20 cores). It matches the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF on rated power (125W). You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core Ultra 5 245KF and its an LGA1851 socket.
DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 9 7900X uses DDR5 memory. Its price falls between the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X, based on our last check. The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 9 7900X. If that matters, the Ryzen 9 7900X has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 33MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 28
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. Nothing else here matches its 64MB L3 cache; the Core i7-14700KF comes closest at 33MB. It matches the Core i7-14700KF on boost clock (5.6GHz).
On core count it trails the group at 12 cores, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 20 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM5 socket; compare the Core i7-14700KF, which has an LGA1700 socket.
Like the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i7-14700KF uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It was priced above the Core i7-14700KF and below the Core Ultra 7 265K at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Core count trails the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores)
Premium Pick3 of 4
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 7 265K is Intel's strongest all-rounder here, with 20 cores for games plus background work, on the LGA1851 socket.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the bo rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a builder who wants an Intel platform and a lot of multi-threaded headroom. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 30MB: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes in at 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.5GHz: the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes in at 5.2GHz.
It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 5 245KF; the Ryzen 9 7900X goes with an AM5 socket. It also comes with 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and a built-in NPU for AI features. It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 9 7900X and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 30MB
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 20 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 20
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 in the build.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it trails the group at 24MB, while the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 64MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.2GHz, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz.
Its 14 cores core count ranks third of 4 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X (12 cores). It matches the Core i7-14700KF and the Core Ultra 7 265K on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1851 socket with the Core Ultra 7 265K; the Ryzen 9 7900X goes with an AM5 socket.
You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core i7-14700KF was the next step up.
Key dimensions & 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
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Core i7-14700KF to the Core Ultra 5 245KF, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core i7-14700KF for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores; the Ryzen 9 7900X for the largest L3 cache here (64MB); the Core Ultra 7 265K for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Core Ultra 7 265K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for the RX 9070
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF to 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900X. For less, the Core i7-14700KF is the runner-up at 33MB.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF to 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700KF. Start with the Core i7-14700KF if boost clock decides it.
How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900X to 20 cores on the Core i7-14700KF. The Core i7-14700KF is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Core i7-14700KF lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF list DDR5. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Cooler in box
The Core i7-14700KF, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF go without. Settle this first, then compare prices.
How to Choose a CPUs for the RX 9070
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores | Core i7-14700KF | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 9 7900X | The largest L3 cache here (64MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Core Ultra 7 265K | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Core i7-14700KF on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 245KF was the lowest-priced pick and the Core Ultra 7 265K the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-14700KF, Ryzen 9 7900X, Core Ultra 7 265K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core i7-14700KF compare with the Ryzen 9 7900X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB, with the Core i7-14700KF at 33MB. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is at the other end of this group with 24MB.
Is the Core Ultra 7 265K worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
On paper it adds L3 cache (30MB against 24MB), boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.2GHz) and core count (20 cores against 14 cores). The Core Ultra 5 245KF was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Ryzen 9 7900X the Largest Game Cache?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (64MB). It suits players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Do the Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X differ on socket?
The Core i7-14700KF uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 7900X uses AM5; the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF use LGA1851.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Core i7-14700KF and the Ryzen 9 7900X apart?
The Core i7-14700KF: 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Core Ultra 7 265K: 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i7-14700KF, chosen for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. Look at the Core Ultra 7 265K for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores at the highest price in the group and the Core Ultra 5 245KF for undercutting the Core i7-14700KF on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Confirm the motherboard BIOS supports the chip before you order.