Buying Guide
The Best LGA 1151 CPUs for Gaming
Five 9th-generation Core processors still listed new, for owners of Intel 300-series boards who want an upgrade without a rebuild.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
LGA 1151 is an older Intel socket, and the chips here are from the 9th generation. They make sense only if you already own a 300-series board such as a Z390 or B365; for a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 is the better route.
These processors fit only 300-series LGA 1151 boards, not the earlier 100- and 200-series boards that share the socket name. Specifications come from each listing; we did not benchmark these chips.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best LGA 1151 Gaming Upgrade
Intel Core i7-9700KEight cores with an unlocked multiplier.
Best for: Z370 and Z390 owners.
Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Threads on LGA 1151
Intel Core i9-9900KEight cores and sixteen threads at a 5.0GHz boost.
Best for: Gaming plus streaming.
Check price for Intel Core i9-9900K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i9-9900KFThe largest L3 cache here (16MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Check price for Intel Core i9-9900KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Locked Eight-Core
Intel Core i7-9700Eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: B365 and H370 boards.
Check price for Intel Core i7-9700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Lowest-Cost Upgrade
Intel Core i5-9400FSix cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Replacing a dual- or quad-core chip.
Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight cores with an unlocked multiplier. | Z370 and Z390 owners. | Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight cores and sixteen threads at a 5.0GHz boost. | Gaming plus streaming. | Check price for Intel Core i9-9900K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (16MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for Intel Core i9-9900KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight cores at a 65W rating. | B365 and H370 boards. | Check price for Intel Core i7-9700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Six cores at a 65W rating. | Replacing a dual- or quad-core chip. | Check price for Intel Core i5-9400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best LGA 1151 Gaming Upgrade1 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K has eight cores without Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier.
Best for
- Z370 and Z390 owners.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is the most common upgrade for a Z370 or Z390 board still running a four- or six-core chip. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 12MB: the Core i9-9900KF offers 16MB, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 9MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Core i9-9900K offers 5GHz, and the Core i5-9400F comes in at 4.1GHz.
It matches the Core i9-9900K, the Core i9-9900KF and the Core i7-9700 on core count (8 cores). It also comes with Intel UHD Graphics 630 and DDR4-2666 support up to 64GB. It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Core i5-9400F and the pricier Core i7-9700, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 12MB
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 95W
- Threads
- 8
- Socket
- LGA1151
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 cores without Hyper-Threading
- Unlocked multiplier
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-9400F at the time of writing
Most Threads on LGA 11512 of 5
Intel Core i9-9900K
The Core i9-9900K is the top of Intel's 9th generation, with eight cores, sixteen threads and a 5.0GHz boost.
Best for
- Gaming plus streaming.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It needs a capable cooler and a board with solid power delivery. It matches the Core i7-9700K, the Core i9-9900KF and the Core i7-9700 on core count (8 cores). You also get 8 cores and 16 threads, the most on this platform and an unlocked multiplier.
It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Core i9-9900KF and the rest.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 95W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- LGA1151
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 8 cores and 16 threads, the most on this platform
- Unlocked multiplier
- Boost clock of 5GHz, ahead of the Core i7-9700K
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Core i5-9400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
- Costs more than the Core i5-9400F at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its L3 cache; if that figure matters, the Core i9-9900KF offers 16MB.
Largest Game Cache3 of 5
Intel Core i9-9900KF
The Core i9-9900KF matches the 9900K's eight cores and sixteen threads but has no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required.
Why we like it
The maker specifies 16MB of cache, the most among these LGA1151 chips. Nothing else here matches its 16MB L3 cache; the Core i7-9700K comes closest at 12MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i9-9900K at 5GHz.
It matches the Core i7-9700K and the Core i9-9900K on rated power (95W). You also get an unlocked multiplier. It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first.
Its price falls between the Core i7-9700 and the Core i9-9900K, based on our last check. If rated power is your priority, the Core i7-9700 (65W) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 16MB
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 95W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- LGA1151
- Memory
- DDR4
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 8 cores and 16 threads with 16MB of cache
- Unlocked multiplier
- Largest L3 cache of the picks (16MB)
- Boost clock of 5GHz, ahead of the Core i7-9700K
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Core i7-9700 (65W)
- Costs more than the Core i5-9400F at the time of writing
Best Locked Eight-Core4 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700
The Core i7-9700 is the locked, 65W version of the 9700K.
Best for
- B365 and H370 boards.
Skip if
- Pass if a published L3 cache matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It suits B365 and H370 boards that cannot overclock anyway, and the maker notes that some boards need a BIOS update first. Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i9-9900K (5GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-9400F (4.1GHz). On core count it ties with the Core i7-9700K, the Core i9-9900K and the Core i9-9900KF at 8 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Core i5-9400F at 65W. It also comes with 8 cores at a 65W rating. It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first. It was priced above the Core i7-9700K and below the Core i9-9900KF at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 8
- Socket
- LGA1151
- Memory
- DDR4
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 8 cores at a 65W rating
- Listing note that some boards need a BIOS update first
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Core i5-9400F
Cons
- No published L3 cache
- Costs more than the Core i5-9400F at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Core i9-9900KF offers 16MB.
Lowest-Cost Upgrade5 of 5
Intel Core i5-9400F
The Core i5-9400F has six cores at a 65W rating and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Replacing a dual- or quad-core chip.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the low-cost way to move a 300-series board off a dual- or quad-core chip. On L3 cache it trails the group at 9MB, while the Core i9-9900KF offers 16MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.1GHz, while the Core i9-9900K offers 5GHz.
Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-9700K leads at 8 cores. It matches the Core i7-9700 on rated power (65W). It fits only LGA1151 boards with an Intel 300-series chipset and DDR4; 100- and 200-series LGA1151 boards do not support it, and some 300-series boards need a BIOS update first. It undercut the Core i7-9700K and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 9MB
- Max boost
- 4.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 6
- Socket
- LGA1151
- Memory
- DDR4
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- 6 cores at a 65W rating
- 9MB L3 cache
- 4.1GHz boost clock
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Core i9-9900KF (16MB)
The catch
The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Core i9-9900KF offers 16MB.
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 from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and L3 cache and cooler in box are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Core i7-9700K to the Core i5-9400F, state boost clock, core count and rated power and share LGA1151 socket and DDR4 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i9-9900K and the Core i7-9700 give no L3 cache; the Core i9-9900KF, the Core i7-9700 and the Core i5-9400F give no cooler in box.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core i5-9400F ($150 to $250) to the Core i9-9900K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an LGA 1151 CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i9-9900K tops boost clock at 5GHz and the Core i5-9400F sits lowest at 4.1GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the Core i9-9900KF is the runner-up at 5GHz.
Core count across these picks
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Core i5-9400F) to 8 cores (the Core i7-9700K). If core count is your first filter, the Core i7-9700K sets the ceiling at 8 cores.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Rated power across these picks
Here rated power runs from 95W on the Core i9-9900KF to 65W on the Core i7-9700, a 32% spread. For less, the Core i5-9400F is the runner-up at 65W ($150 to $250 tier).
Features beyond the spec table
The Core i7-9700K: an unlocked multiplier. The Core i7-9700: a listing note that some boards need a BIOS update first. The Core i5-9400F: 6 cores at a 65W rating.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Core i5-9400F; $250 to $500 buys the Core i7-9700K, the Core i7-9700, the Core i9-9900KF and the Core i9-9900K at our last check.
How to Choose an LGA 1151 CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Z370 and Z390 owners | Core i7-9700K | Eight cores with an unlocked multiplier |
| Gaming plus streaming | Core i9-9900K | Eight cores and sixteen threads at a 5.0GHz boost |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Core i9-9900KF | The largest L3 cache here (16MB) |
| B365 and H370 boards | Core i7-9700 | Eight cores at a 65W rating |
| Replacing a dual- or quad-core chip | Core i5-9400F | Six cores at a 65W rating |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i9-9900K leads on boost clock at 5GHz, ahead of the Core i9-9900KF at 5GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Core i9-9900K and the Core i7-9700 leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-9700K | 12MB | 4.9GHz | 8 cores | 95W |
| Core i9-9900K | Not listed | 5GHz | 8 cores | 95W |
| Core i9-9900KF | 16MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 95W |
| Core i7-9700 | Not listed | 4.7GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-9400F | 9MB | 4.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Core i5-9400F, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Core i9-9900K at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Core i5-9400F |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-9700K, Core i7-9700, Core i9-9900KF, Core i9-9900K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core i9-9900KF ahead of the Core i7-9700K on L3 cache?
The Core i9-9900KF tops L3 cache at 16MB; the Core i7-9700K follows at 12MB, 33% apart. The Core i5-9400F closes the ranking at 9MB. The Core i9-9900K and the Core i7-9700 don't state a L3 cache figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Core i9-9900K worth paying more than the Core i5-9400F?
What it brings is boost clock (5GHz against 4.1GHz) and core count (8 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Core i5-9400F still leads on rated power (65W). The Core i5-9400F sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core i9-9900K in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
What makes the Core i9-9900KF the Largest Game Cache?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (16MB). The Core i7-9700K is next on L3 cache at 12MB, so this pick's 16MB is 33% further out. It gives up rated power (95W against 65W) to the Core i5-9400F, the cheapest pick. It makes sense for players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Which of these processors have integrated graphics?
The Core i7-9700K has it; the Core i9-9900KF and the Core i5-9400F do not. The makers of the Core i9-9900K and the Core i7-9700 don't state integrated graphics, so 3 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Core i7-9700K and the Core i9-9900K apart?
The Core i7-9700K: 8 cores without Hyper-Threading. The Core i9-9900K: 8 cores and 16 threads, the most on this platform. The Core i9-9900KF: 8 cores and 16 threads with 16MB of cache.
Bottom Line
The Core i7-9700K is the best LGA 1151 gaming upgrade, and the i9-9900K adds Hyper-Threading for streaming. The i9-9900KF drops the iGPU, the i7-9700 suits locked boards, and the i5-9400F is the low-cost step up. Check your board's CPU support list before ordering.
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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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