Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for Overclocking
Five processors compared, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 9 9950X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Unlocked chips with high power limits give overclocking headroom. Every pick is unlocked at 105W or more, ordered by boost clock.
We sorted these picks by L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Boost Clock
Intel Core i9-14900K
The highest boost clock here (6GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i9-14900K (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600K
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
Undercutting the Core i5-14600K 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)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The largest L3 cache here (96MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (6GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core i9-14900K (opens in a new tab) |
| AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (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 i5-14600K (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Core i5-14600K 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) |
| The largest L3 cache here (96MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Boost Clock1 of 5
Intel Core i9-14900K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i9-14900K is the last LGA1700 flagship with a 6.0GHz boost clock.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Check your board has the latest BIOS for Intel's stability microcode. Its 36MB L3 cache ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB). Its 6GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 9950X comes next at 5.7GHz.
On core count it leads this guide at 24 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X (16 cores). On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14600K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 125W. Like the Core i5-14600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 9 9950X uses an AM5 socket.
Like the Core i5-14600K, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses DDR4 memory. It also comes with 8 performance and 16 efficient cores. It was priced above the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and below the Ryzen 9 9950X at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 36MB
- Max boost: 6GHz
- Cores / threads: 24 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 32
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 6GHz maximum boost
- 24 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 performance and 16 efficient cores
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 9950X gives 16 cores and 32 threads without the X3D premium.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
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 the better buy when CPU encoding and editing matter more than the last few frames per second. Its 64MB L3 cache ranks second of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB). Its 5.7GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i9-14900K (6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 16 cores: the Core i9-14900K offers 24 cores, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 105W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM5 socket; compare the Core Ultra 5 245KF, which has an LGA1851 socket. Only the Core i9-14900K came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 16 cores
- Rated power: 170W
- Threads: 32
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.7GHz maximum boost
- 16 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 7 5800X3D (105W)
Also Consider3 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
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. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 24MB.
On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.3GHz: the Core i9-14900K offers 6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz. It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF on core count (14 cores). It matches the Core i9-14900K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF on rated power (125W).
It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i9-14900K; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D goes with an AM4 socket. It shares DDR4 or DDR5 memory with the Core i9-14900K; the Ryzen 9 9950X goes with DDR5 memory. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. Its price falls between the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it ties with the Core i5-14600K at 24MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Core i9-14900K offers 6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz.
It matches the Core i9-14900K and the Core i5-14600K on rated power (125W). An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 9 9950X uses an AM5 socket. It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 9 9950X; the Core i5-14600K goes with DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. It undercut the Core i5-14600K and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 96MB.
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 7 5800X3D (96MB)
Largest Game Cache5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs comin is a problem.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. Nothing else here matches its 96MB L3 cache; the Ryzen 9 9950X comes closest at 64MB. Its 4.5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i9-14900K leads at 6GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core i9-14900K offers 24 cores. Its 105W rated power is the lowest here; the Core i9-14900K comes next at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM4 socket; compare the Core i5-14600K, which has an LGA1700 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 memory; the Core i9-14900K has DDR4 or DDR5 memory instead. You also get a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update. It was priced above the Core i5-14600K and below the Core i9-14900K at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Lowest rated power of the picks (105W)
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared 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.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core i9-14900K to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core i9-14900K for the highest boost clock here (6GHz); the Ryzen 9 9950X for AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler at the highest price in the group; the Core i5-14600K for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 9950X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for Overclocking
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 96MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the pick for L3 cache.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to 6GHz on the Core i9-14900K. Start with the Core i9-14900K if boost clock decides it.
Core count
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to 24 cores on the Core i9-14900K. The Core i9-14900K is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Core i9-14900K and the Core i5-14600K list DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Core Ultra 5 245KF list DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D lists DDR4. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Core i9-14900K, the Ryzen 9 9950X, the Core i5-14600K, the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D go without. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose a CPUs for Overclocking
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Core i9-14900K | The highest boost clock here (6GHz) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Ryzen 9 9950X | AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600K | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | The largest L3 cache here (96MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X at 64MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-14900K | 36MB | 6GHz | 24 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 64MB | 5.7GHz | 16 cores | 170W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
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 Ryzen 9 9950X the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Core i9-14900K, Ryzen 9 9950X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ryzen 9 9950X compare with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D leads at 96MB, with the Ryzen 9 9950X at 64MB. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is at the other end of this group with 24MB.
Is the Core i9-14900K ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X on boost clock?
The Core i9-14900K leads at 6GHz, with the Ryzen 9 9950X at 5.7GHz. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is at the other end of this group with 4.5GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core i9-14900K or the Ryzen 9 9950X?
The Core i9-14900K leads at 24 cores, with the Ryzen 9 9950X at 16 cores. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is at the other end of this group with 8 cores.
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X worth paying more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
On paper it adds L3 cache (64MB against 24MB), boost clock (5.7GHz against 5.2GHz) and core count (16 cores against 14 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 245KF still leads on rated power (125W). 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 Core i9-14900K the Highest Boost Clock?
It earns the label for the highest boost clock here (6GHz). It suits anyone who put boost clock first.
Do the Core i9-14900K and the Ryzen 9 9950X differ on socket?
The Core i9-14900K and the Core i5-14600K use LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 9950X uses AM5; the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i9-14900K, chosen for the highest boost clock here (6GHz). Look at the Ryzen 9 9950X for AMD's recommendation of a liquid cooler at the highest price in the group, the Core i5-14600K for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and the Core Ultra 5 245KF for undercutting the Core i5-14600K on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Overclock with a strong cooler and a Z or X-series board.