Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Developers
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock; the Ryzen 9 5900XT is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Developers compile, run containers and keep an IDE, browser and local services open at once, which rewards thread count. Every pick has eight or more cores and cost $400 or less, ordered by threads.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XTA lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 5950XThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700K costs.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i7-14700KF8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i7-14700K8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i7-14700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Intel Core i5-13600K6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked. | Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache. | Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700K costs. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700K 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 i5-13600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT
The Ryzen 9 5900XT stands out for 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform.
Best for
- Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.8GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. Its 4.8GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 5.6GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5950X at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5950X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i7-14700KF uses an LGA1700 socket. Like the Ryzen 9 5950X, it has DDR4 memory, while the Core i5-13600K uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i7-14700KF was closest.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.8GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache
- PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform
- A lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core i7-14700KF instead: it offers 33MB, while this one gives no figure.
Premium Pick2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The Ryzen 9 5950X stands out for 16 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds a liquid cooler recommended by AMD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700K costs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.9GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT (4.8GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5900XT at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5900XT, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-13600K uses an LGA1700 socket. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. Only the Core i7-14700K came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 cores with 72MB of cache
- Liquid cooler recommended by AMD
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Core i7-14700KF offers 33MB.
Also Consider3 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. It matches the Core i7-14700K on L3 cache (33MB). It matches the Core i7-14700K on boost clock (5.6GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i7-14700K at 20 cores. Like the Core i7-14700K and Core i5-13600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses an AM4 socket. You also get 8 performance and 12 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
- 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 Ryzen 9 5900XT at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i7-14700K; by contrast, the Core i7-14700K has it.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700K
The Core i7-14700K runs on LGA1700 with high clocks and 20 cores.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a strong high-refresh option for Intel owners with a compatible board and a capable cooler. It matches the Core i7-14700KF on L3 cache (33MB). It matches the Core i7-14700KF on boost clock (5.6GHz).
Like the Core i7-14700KF and Core i5-13600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses an AM4 socket. You also get 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards. 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 priced above the Core i5-13600K and below the Ryzen 9 5950X at the time of writing.
Key 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
- Yes
Pros
- 5.6GHz 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 Ryzen 9 5900XT at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
Intel Core i5-13600K
The Core i5-13600K is the previous-generation fourteen-core LGA1700 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It fits the same boards as the 14600K. On L3 cache it trails the group at 24MB, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 33MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Core i7-14700KF offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 9 5900XT comes in at 4.8GHz.
Its 14 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 20 cores. It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i7-14700KF and Core i7-14700K; the Ryzen 9 5950X goes with an AM4 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. Its price falls between the Core i7-14700KF and the Core i7-14700K, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Core i7-14700KF (33MB)
- Core count trails the Core i7-14700KF (20 cores)
The catch
If L3 cache is your priority, the Core i7-14700KF (33MB) is the stronger choice.
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 compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 6 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 9 5900XT to the Core i5-13600K, state boost clock, core count and threads.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no rated power.
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 9 5900XT to the Ryzen 9 5950X, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPUs for Developers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i7-14700KF tops boost clock at 5.6GHz and the Ryzen 9 5900XT sits lowest at 4.8GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. The Core i7-14700KF is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
Here core count runs from 14 cores on the Core i5-13600K to 20 cores on the Core i7-14700KF, a 43% spread. Start with the Core i7-14700KF if core count decides it.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC L3 cache
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 24MB (the Core i5-13600K) to 33MB (the Core i7-14700KF). Start with the Core i7-14700KF if L3 cache decides it. The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X list DDR4; the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i5-13600K list DDR4 or DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3 and 2.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 9 5900XT, the Ryzen 9 5950X, the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i5-13600K go without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 5 picks to 5.
How to Choose a CPUs for Developers
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money | Ryzen 9 5900XT | A lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700K costs | Ryzen 9 5950X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache |
| Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores | Core i7-14700KF | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 8 performance and 12 efficient cores | Core i7-14700K | 8 performance and 12 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-13600K | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i7-14700KF leads on boost clock at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Core i7-14700K at 5.6GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 5900XT | Not listed | 4.8GHz | 16 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 9 5950X | Not listed | 4.9GHz | 16 cores | Not listed |
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-14700K | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-13600K | 24MB | 5.1GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Ryzen 9 5950X add over the Ryzen 9 5900XT?
What it brings is boost clock (4.9GHz against 4.8GHz). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in boost clock cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Ryzen 9 5950X our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache. It is aimed at anyone who wants 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700K costs.
Do the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Core i7-14700KF differ on socket?
The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X use AM4; the Core i7-14700KF, the Core i7-14700K and the Core i5-13600K use LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X include?
The Ryzen 9 5900XT: 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache. The Ryzen 9 5950X: 16 cores with 72MB of cache. The Core i7-14700KF: 8 performance and 12 efficient cores.
Who should choose the Ryzen 9 5900XT?
The Ryzen 9 5900XT carries our Lowest Price Here label for a lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $250 to $500 tier at our last price check; it suits getting 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache for the least money.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 5900XT, chosen for a lower price than the Core i7-14700KF and the rest when we checked. Look at the Ryzen 9 5950X for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache, the Core i7-14700KF for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and the Core i7-14700K for 8 performance and 12 efficient cores if those matter more to you.
Match the CPU with 32GB of RAM; containers and language servers use memory quickly.
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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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