Buying Guide
The Best Low-TDP CPUs
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core i7-14700 has the largest L3 cache, and the Core Ultra 5 225F costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A low rated power means less heat, a smaller cooler and a quieter PC. Every pick is rated at 65W, ordered from the most cores.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i7-14700The largest L3 cache here (33MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Check price for Intel Core i7-14700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 9 5950XThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700 costs.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i7-12700K8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Check price for Intel Core i7-12700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 225FThe lowest price among these processors at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 9 5900XT.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (33MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache. | Buyers who want 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache. | Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700 costs. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Check price for Intel Core i7-12700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 9 5900XT. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700
What the Core i7-14700 brings to the table is 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores, plus an Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Core Ultra 5 225F cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 33MB L3 cache and offers a 5.4GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 33MB, ahead of the Core i7-12700K (25MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Core i7-12700K (5GHz).
On core count it leads this guide at 20 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT (16 cores). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i7-12700K; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with an LGA1851 socket. 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 fourth of 5, between the cheaper Core i7-12700K and the pricier Ryzen 9 5950X, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 33MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 20 cores
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Cooler in box
- Yes
Pros
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- 8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores
- Intel Laminar RM1 cooler in the box
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT
The Ryzen 9 5900XT stands out for 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.8GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. Its 4.8GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700 leads at 5.4GHz. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5950X at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5950X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i7-12700K uses an LGA1700 socket. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Core i7-12700K at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.8GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache
- PCIe 4.0 on the AM4 platform
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Core i7-14700 offers 33MB.
Premium Pick3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The Ryzen 9 5950X stands out for 16 cores with 72MB of cache, and it adds a liquid cooler recommended by AMD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700 costs.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4.9GHz boost clock and offers a 16 cores core count. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on boost clock (4.9GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 5900XT at 16 cores.
Like the Ryzen 9 5900XT, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses an LGA1851 socket. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i7-14700 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
Pros
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- 16 cores with 72MB of cache
- Liquid cooler recommended by AMD
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No published L3 cache
The catch
If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core i7-14700 instead: it offers 33MB, while this one gives no figure.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Intel Core i7-12700K
What the Core i7-12700K brings to the table is 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores, plus integrated Intel UHD graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Core Ultra 5 225F was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 25MB L3 cache and offers a 5GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 25MB: the Core i7-14700 offers 33MB, and the Core Ultra 5 225F comes in at 22MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Core i7-14700 offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 9 5900XT comes in at 4.8GHz.
Its 12 cores core count ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700 (20 cores) and ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (10 cores). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i7-14700; the Ryzen 9 5900XT goes with an AM4 socket. 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. Its price falls between the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Core i7-14700, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 25MB
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores
- Integrated Intel UHD graphics
Cons
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 9 5900XT.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core i7-14700 leads at 33MB. It matches the Ryzen 9 5950X on boost clock (4.9GHz).
On core count it trails the group at 10 cores, while the Core i7-14700 offers 20 cores. It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Core i7-14700 has an LGA1700 socket instead. It also comes with 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 9 5900XT was closest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 22MB
- Max boost
- 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads
- 10 cores
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT
- LGA1851 socket, the only one here
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Core i7-14700 (33MB)
- Core count trails the Core i7-14700 (20 cores)
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Core i7-14700 covers it better at 33MB.
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and threads from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and threads have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core i7-14700 to the Core Ultra 5 225F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache; the Core i7-14700, the Core i7-12700K and the Core Ultra 5 225F give no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 225F ($100 to $150) to the Ryzen 9 5950X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Low-TDP CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 4.8GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900XT to 5.4GHz on the Core i7-14700, a 13% spread. The Core i7-12700K comes second at 5GHz, in the same price tier as the Core i7-14700.
Core count across these picks
Across these 5 picks core count spans 10 cores (the Core Ultra 5 225F) to 20 cores (the Core i7-14700). For less, the Ryzen 9 5900XT is the runner-up at 16 cores.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much L3 cache you need
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 22MB (the Core Ultra 5 225F) to 33MB (the Core i7-14700). The Core i7-12700K comes second at 25MB, in the same price tier as the Core i7-14700. The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Cooler in box
The Core i7-14700 has it; the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X go without.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 9 5950X: a liquid cooler recommended by AMD. The Core i7-12700K: integrated Intel UHD graphics. The Core Ultra 5 225F: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards.
How to Choose a Low-TDP CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core i7-14700 | The largest L3 cache here (33MB) |
| Buyers who want 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache | Ryzen 9 5900XT | 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache |
| Buyers who want 16 cores with 72MB of cache and can spend more than the Core i7-14700 costs | Ryzen 9 5950X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache |
| Buyers who want 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core i7-12700K | 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 9 5900XT | Core Ultra 5 225F | The lowest price among these processors at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i7-14700 leads on boost clock at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Core i7-12700K at 5GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-14700 | 33MB | 5.4GHz | 20 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 9 5900XT | Not listed | 4.8GHz | 16 cores | 32 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X | Not listed | 4.9GHz | 16 cores | 32 |
| Core i7-12700K | 25MB | 5GHz | 12 cores | Not listed |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 225F was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Ryzen 9 5950X the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 5900XT, Core i7-12700K, Core i7-14700, Ryzen 9 5950X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core i7-14700 or the Core i7-12700K?
The Core i7-14700 tops boost clock at 5.4GHz; the Core i7-12700K follows at 5GHz, 8% apart. The Ryzen 9 5900XT closes the ranking at 4.8GHz.
Is the Core i7-14700 ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT on core count?
The Core i7-14700 leads at 20 cores, with the Ryzen 9 5900XT at 16 cores. The Core Ultra 5 225F is at the other end of this group with 10 cores.
Is the Core i7-14700 ahead of the Core i7-12700K on L3 cache?
The Core i7-14700 leads at 33MB, with the Core i7-12700K at 25MB. The spread runs down to the Core Ultra 5 225F at 22MB. The Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X don't state a L3 cache figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 9 5950X add over the Core Ultra 5 225F?
On paper it adds core count (16 cores against 10 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 225F was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ryzen 9 5950X in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if core count decides your purchase.
Why is the Core i7-14700 our Largest Game Cache pick?
The label rests on the largest L3 cache here (33MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core i7-12700K, 33MB against 25MB, a 32% margin. The Core Ultra 5 225F, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core i7-14700 and the Ryzen 9 5900XT differ on socket?
The Core i7-14700 and the Core i7-12700K use LGA1700; the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 9 5950X use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core i7-14700. Look at the Ryzen 9 5900XT for 16 Zen 3 cores with 72MB of cache, the Ryzen 9 5950X for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 cores with 72MB of cache and the Core i7-12700K for 8 P-cores plus 4 E-cores if those matter more to you.
Motherboards can raise power limits by default; check the BIOS power settings if you want the chip to stay near 65W.
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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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