Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Graphic Design
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core i5-14600K has the highest core count, and the Ryzen 5 9600X costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Photoshop, Illustrator and Figma are mostly lightly threaded, so boost clock matters more than core count. Every pick has integrated graphics, a boost of 5GHz or more and cost $350 or less at the time of writing.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
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)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 9900XThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Zen 5 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want the Zen 5 architecture and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XThe cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 7600.
Best for: Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600KThe highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 7600The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Zen 5 architecture. | Buyers who want the Zen 5 architecture and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 7600. | Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (14 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. 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 on core count (12 cores). Its 170W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 65W. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. Its price falls between the Core i5-14600K and the Ryzen 9 9900X, based on our last check.
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 5 9600X (65W)
The catch
If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) is the stronger choice.
Premium Pick2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
The Ryzen 9 9900X steps down to 12 cores on Zen 5.
Best for
- Buyers who want the Zen 5 architecture and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
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 on core count (12 cores). Its 120W rated power ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X (170W). 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.
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.
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 Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600 on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600 at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600 at 65W. 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.
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 Ryzen 5 7600 was closest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600K
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Highest Core Count4 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. Its 24MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 64MB.
Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz). On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X (12 cores). On rated power it sits mid-pack at 125W: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W, and the Ryzen 9 7900X comes in at 170W.
It is the only pick here with an LGA1700 socket; the Ryzen 9 7900X has an AM5 socket instead. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 7600 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 9 7900X cost more.
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
- Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (64MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 9600X at the time of writing
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 64MB.
Strong Alternative5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the cheapest way onto AM5 here and ships with a Wraith Stealth cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Six cores are enough for most games paired with a mid-range graphics card. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.1GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 65W. It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
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. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X cost less, and the Core i5-14600K cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz)
- Core count trails the Core i5-14600K (14 cores)
The catch
Boost clock is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 5.6GHz.
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and all 9 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 9 7900X to the Ryzen 5 7600, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share integrated graphics.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 9 7900X for the Zen 4 architecture; the Ryzen 9 9900X for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Zen 5 architecture; the Ryzen 5 9600X for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 7600.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 9600X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 9900X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Graphic Design
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops L3 cache at 64MB and the Core i5-14600K sits lowest at 24MB; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Ryzen 9 7900X if L3 cache decides it.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 5.1GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600 to 5.6GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900X, a 10% spread. If boost clock is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 7900X sets the ceiling at 5.6GHz.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 7600 to 14 cores on the Core i5-14600K, a 133% spread. The Core i5-14600K is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600 list DDR5; the Core i5-14600K lists DDR4 or DDR5.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Core i5-14600K go without; the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
How to Choose a CPUs for Graphic Design
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 9 7900X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who want the Zen 5 architecture and can spend more than the Ryzen 9 7900X costs | Ryzen 9 9900X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Zen 5 architecture |
| Getting Zen 5 architecture for the least money | Ryzen 5 9600X | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 7600 |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600K | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 5 7600 | The Zen 4 architecture |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads on L3 cache at 64MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9900X at 64MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | 32MB | 5.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 9600X was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 9 9900X the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 5 7600, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900X, Ryzen 9 9900X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core i5-14600K ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X on core count?
The Core i5-14600K leads at 14 cores, with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 12 cores. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 7600 at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 9 9900X add over the Ryzen 5 9600X?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (64MB against 32MB), boost clock (5.6GHz against 5.4GHz) and core count (12 cores against 6 cores) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 9600X still leads on rated power (65W). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 9600X was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 9 9900X in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-14600K our Highest Core Count pick?
It carries the badge for the highest core count here (14 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 9 7900X, 14 cores against 12 cores, a 17% margin. The price of that: the Ryzen 5 9600X, the cheapest pick, still beats it on L3 cache (32MB against 24MB) and boost clock (5.4GHz against 5.3GHz). It makes sense for anyone who puts core count first.
Do the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Core i5-14600K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600 use AM5; the Core i5-14600K uses LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X include?
The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 9 9900X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 7900X, chosen for the Zen 4 architecture. Look at the Ryzen 9 9900X for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen 5 9600X for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Core i5-14600K for the highest core count here (14 cores) if those matter more to you.
A colour-accurate monitor improves design work more than the jump to a higher-tier CPU.
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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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