Buying Guide
The Best Intel CPUs
Seven Intel processors across LGA1851 and LGA1700, from a six-core i5-12400F to the 24-core Ultra 9 285K.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
13 min read7 products evaluated
Intel sells two desktop platforms. LGA1851 Core Ultra chips need DDR5 and a new board, while LGA1700 chips fit 600- and 700-series boards and can use DDR4.
We compared cores, cache, boost clock and memory support from Intel's specifications; we did not benchmark these processors.
Quick Picks
Which of the 7 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Intel CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K20 cores and 30MB of L3 on LGA1851.
Best for: Most new Intel builds.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 7 265K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 9 285KThe largest L3 cache here (36MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best LGA1700 High-End
Intel Core i7-14700K20 cores and 28 threads with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Z690 and Z790 boards.
Check price for Intel Core i7-14700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best LGA1700 Mid-Range
Intel Core i5-14600K14 cores at a 5.3GHz boost.
Best for: Gaming on an existing Intel board.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget LGA1851
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF14 cores without integrated graphics.
Best for: New Intel gaming builds on a budget.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget LGA1700
Intel Core i5-14400FTen cores at a lower price.
Best for: Budget gaming PCs.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest-Cost Intel Pick
Intel Core i5-12400FSix cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: The tightest budgets.
Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Intel CPU1 of 7
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
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
- Most new Intel builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a builder who wants an Intel platform and a lot of multi-threaded headroom. Its 30MB L3 cache ranks third of 7 here, behind the Core Ultra 9 285K (36MB) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (18MB). Like the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Core i5-14600K and below the Core i7-14700K at the time of writing.
Key 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 i5-12400F at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache2 of 7
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
The Core Ultra 9 285K is Intel's flagship on LGA1851, with 24 cores and high single-threaded clocks.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits competitive players who also stream from the same machine. Nothing else here matches its 36MB L3 cache; the Core i7-14700K comes closest at 33MB. Its 5.7GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core i7-14700K comes next at 5.6GHz.
On core count it leads this guide at 24 cores, ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265K (20 cores). Like the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket. It also comes with 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. Only the Core i7-14700K came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 7 picks.
Key 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 i5-12400F at the time of writing
Best LGA1700 High-End3 of 7
Intel Core i7-14700K
The Core i7-14700K runs on LGA1700 with high clocks and 20 cores.
Best for
- Z690 and Z790 boards.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is a strong high-refresh option for Intel owners with a compatible board and a capable cooler. Its 33MB L3 cache ranks second of 7 here, behind the Core Ultra 9 285K (36MB) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (18MB). On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 7 265K at 20 cores.
It also offers 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 Ultra 7 265K and below the Core Ultra 9 285K 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 Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Best LGA1700 Mid-Range4 of 7
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
- Gaming on an existing Intel board.
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. It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache (24MB).
Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 7 here, behind the Core Ultra 9 285K (5.7GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz). On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 14 cores. It also offers 6 performance and 8 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 245KF and below the Core Ultra 7 265K at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Best Budget LGA18515 of 7
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- New Intel gaming builds on a budget.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. It matches the Core i5-14600K on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 7 here, behind the Core Ultra 9 285K (5.7GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz).
Like the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 9 285K, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Core i7-14700K uses an LGA1700 socket. Like the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 9 285K, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. When we checked, only the Core i5-14400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-14600K cost more.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core Ultra 7 265K; by contrast, the Core Ultra 7 265K has it.
Best Budget LGA17006 of 7
Intel Core i5-14400F
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Budget gaming PCs.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks sixth of 7 here, behind the Core Ultra 9 285K (36MB) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (18MB). On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 24 cores, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 6 cores.
It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. 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. When we checked, only the Core i5-12400F cost less, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 20MB
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 10 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core Ultra 7 265K; by contrast, the Core Ultra 7 265K has it.
Lowest-Cost Intel Pick7 of 7
Intel Core i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- The tightest budgets.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it trails the group at 18MB, while the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 36MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.4GHz, while the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 5.7GHz.
Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 9 285K leads at 24 cores. You also get six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. 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 undercut the Core i5-14400F and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 18MB
- Max boost
- 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Core Ultra 9 285K offers 36MB.
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 set side by side seven 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 7, from the Core Ultra 7 265K to the Core i5-12400F, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core Ultra 7 265K for 20 cores and 30MB of L3 on LGA1851; the Core Ultra 9 285K for the largest L3 cache here (36MB); the Core i7-14700K for 20 cores and 28 threads with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i5-12400F ($150 to $250) to the Core Ultra 9 285K ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an Intel CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 7 picks L3 cache spans 18MB (the Core i5-12400F) to 36MB (the Core Ultra 9 285K). The Core i7-14700K comes second at 33MB, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Core Ultra 9 285K.
How much boost clock you need
The Core Ultra 9 285K tops boost clock at 5.7GHz and the Core i5-12400F sits lowest at 4.4GHz. For less, the Core i7-14700K is the runner-up at 5.6GHz ($250 to $500 tier).
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Core i5-12400F to 24 cores on the Core Ultra 9 285K, a 300% spread. The Core Ultra 7 265K comes second at 20 cores, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Core Ultra 9 285K.
Memory
The Core Ultra 7 265K, the Core Ultra 9 285K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF list DDR5; the Core i7-14700K, the Core i5-14600K, the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-12400F list DDR4 or DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 7 stated picks into groups of 4 and 3.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 7 265K, the Core Ultra 9 285K, the Core i7-14700K, the Core i5-14600K, the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-12400F go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 7 stated picks into groups of 7.
How to Choose an Intel CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most new Intel builds | Core Ultra 7 265K | 20 cores and 30MB of L3 on LGA1851 |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 9 285K | The largest L3 cache here (36MB) |
| Z690 and Z790 boards | Core i7-14700K | 20 cores and 28 threads with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| Gaming on an existing Intel board | Core i5-14600K | 14 cores at a 5.3GHz boost |
| New Intel gaming builds on a budget | Core Ultra 5 245KF | 14 cores without integrated graphics |
| Budget gaming PCs | Core i5-14400F | Ten cores at a lower price |
| The tightest budgets | Core i5-12400F | Six cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 9 285K leads on L3 cache at 36MB, ahead of the Core i7-14700K at 33MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 30MB | 5.5GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 36MB | 5.7GHz | 24 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-14700K | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core i5-12400F was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Core Ultra 9 285K the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-12400F, Core i5-14400F, Core Ultra 5 245KF, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Core Ultra 7 265K, Core i7-14700K |
| About $500 to $1000 | Core Ultra 9 285K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core i7-14700K compare with the Core Ultra 9 285K on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 9 285K leads at 36MB, with the Core i7-14700K at 33MB. The spread runs down to the Core i5-12400F at 18MB.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core Ultra 9 285K or the Core i7-14700K?
Between the top two, it is 5.7GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285K against 5.6GHz on the Core i7-14700K, a 2% difference. The Core i5-12400F closes the ranking at 4.4GHz.
Is the Core Ultra 9 285K ahead of the Core Ultra 7 265K on core count?
The Core Ultra 9 285K tops core count at 24 cores; the Core Ultra 7 265K follows at 20 cores, 20% apart. The Core i5-12400F closes the ranking at 6 cores.
What does the Core Ultra 9 285K add over the Core i5-12400F?
What it brings is L3 cache (36MB against 18MB), boost clock (5.7GHz against 4.4GHz) and core count (24 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Core i5-12400F was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core Ultra 9 285K in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 5 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and boost clock decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-12400F our Lowest-Cost Intel Pick?
The label rests on six cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support. It makes sense for the tightest budgets.
Do the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core i7-14700K differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 7 265K, the Core Ultra 9 285K and the Core Ultra 5 245KF use LGA1851; the Core i7-14700K, the Core i5-14600K, the Core i5-14400F and the Core i5-12400F use LGA1700.
Bottom Line
The Core Ultra 7 265K is the best Intel CPU for most new builds, and the Ultra 9 285K suits heavy workloads. The i7-14700K and i5-14600K upgrade LGA1700 boards, the Ultra 5 245KF is the budget LGA1851 chip, and the i5-14400F and i5-12400F cover tight budgets.
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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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