Buying Guide
The Best CPUs With High Core Counts
Three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Core i9-14900K has the highest boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
High core counts shorten renders, compiles and batch exports. Every pick has 14 cores or more, ordered by core count.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
The top of this price range, adding 8 performance and 16 efficient cores.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
Undercutting the Core i9-14900K 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest boost clock here (6GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for Intel Core i9-14900K (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding 8 performance and 16 efficient cores. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Core i9-14900K 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
Highest Boost Clock1 of 3
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. On L3 cache it ties with the Core Ultra 9 285K at 36MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 6GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 9 285K (5.7GHz).
It matches the Core Ultra 9 285K on core count (24 cores). An LGA1700 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. You get DDR4 or DDR5 memory here, which sets it apart from the Core Ultra 5 245KF and its DDR5 memory.
It also offers 8 performance and 16 efficient cores. 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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 245KF and the pricier Core Ultra 9 285K, 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 3
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 9 285K is Intel's flagship on LGA1851, with 24 cores and high single-threaded clocks.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits competitive players who also stream from the same machine. It matches the Core i9-14900K on L3 cache (36MB). Its 5.7GHz boost clock ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core i9-14900K (6GHz) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz).
Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i9-14900K uses an LGA1700 socket. You also get 8 performance and 16 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.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i9-14900K the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 36MB
- Max boost: 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 24 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 5.7GHz 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
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. Its 24MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core i9-14900K leads at 36MB. Its 5.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i9-14900K leads at 6GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 14 cores, while the Core i9-14900K offers 24 cores. Like the Core Ultra 9 285K, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i9-14900K uses an LGA1700 socket. Like the Core Ultra 9 285K, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i9-14900K uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory.
It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core i9-14900K 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 Core i9-14900K (36MB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
What to Look for in a CPUs With High Core Counts
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Where these picks differ: boost clock
Among these picks, boost clock runs from 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF to 6GHz on the Core i9-14900K. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
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 With High Core Counts
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Core i9-14900K | The highest boost clock here (6GHz) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Core Ultra 9 285K | The top of this price range, adding 8 performance and 16 efficient cores |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Core i9-14900K on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-14900K | 36MB | 6GHz | 24 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 36MB | 5.7GHz | 24 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i9-14900K |
| About $500 to $1000 | Core Ultra 9 285K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on L3 cache?
The Core i9-14900K, at 36MB. The Core Ultra 9 285K follows at 36MB, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF has 24MB.
Which pick costs the least here?
Start with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Core Ultra 9 285K is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
Is AM4 still worth buying into?
For an upgrade to an existing AM4 system, yes. For a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 gives a longer upgrade path.
What does the rated power figure mean?
It is AMD's default TDP or Intel's base power. Chips can draw more under boost, so size the cooler for sustained loads, not the label alone.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i9-14900K, chosen for the highest boost clock here (6GHz). Look at the Core Ultra 9 285K for the top of this price range, adding 8 performance and 16 efficient cores and the Core Ultra 5 245KF for undercutting the Core i9-14900K on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Compare thread counts as well: Intel's efficiency cores run one thread each, AMD cores run two.