Buying Guide
The Best Unlocked CPUs
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core i7-14700KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Intel's K and KF chips have unlocked multipliers for manual overclocking. Every pick is a K or KF model, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
Undercutting the Core i5-14600KF 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)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF
6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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 Rated Power
Intel Core i7-9700K
The lowest rated power here (95W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i7-14700KF
The largest L3 cache here (33MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the Core i5-14600KF 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) |
| 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF (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) |
| The lowest rated power here (95W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (33MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core i7-14700KF (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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. It matches the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14600K on L3 cache (24MB). Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (4.9GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Core i5-14600KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i7-14700KF at 125W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1851 socket; the Core i5-14600KF has an LGA1700 socket instead. No other pick in this guide offers DDR5 memory; compare the Core i7-9700K, which has DDR4 memory.
It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i5-14600KF was closest. What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i5-14600K; by contrast, the Core i5-14600K has it.
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
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14600KF is the 14600K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. It matches the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600K on L3 cache (24MB). It matches the Core i5-14600K on boost clock (5.3GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i7-14700KF at 125W. Like the Core i5-14600K and Core i7-14700KF, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket. It also comes with 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier.
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.
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: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
- L3 cache of 24MB, ahead of the Core i7-9700K
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 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 and the Core i5-14600KF on L3 cache (24MB).
It matches the Core i5-14600KF on boost clock (5.3GHz). On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i7-14700KF at 125W. You also get 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 i5-14600KF and below the Core i7-9700K at the time of writing.
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 Rated Power4 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-9700K has eight cores without Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
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. Its 12MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 33MB. Its 4.9GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i7-14700KF leads at 5.6GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core i7-14700KF offers 20 cores. Nothing else here matches its 95W rated power; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes closest at 125W. It is the only pick here with an LGA1151 socket; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an LGA1851 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 memory; compare the Core i5-14600K, which has DDR4 or DDR5 memory. You also get Intel UHD Graphics 630 and DDR4-2666 support up to 64GB. When we checked, only the Core i5-14600K and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i7-14700KF cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
- L3 cache trails the Core i7-14700KF (33MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core i7-14700KF (5.6GHz)
Largest Game Cache5 of 5
Intel Core i7-14700KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i7-14700KF is the 14700K without integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a gaming PC that already has a graphics card. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 33MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.6GHz, ahead of the Core i5-14600KF (5.3GHz).
Its 20 cores core count is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes next at 14 cores. On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14600K at 125W. Like the Core i5-14600KF and Core i5-14600K, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses an LGA1851 socket.
It also offers 8 performance and 12 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core i7-9700K the nearest cheaper option. Rated power is its weakest area, and the Core i7-9700K covers it better at 95W.
Key dimensions & 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: No
Pros
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 20 cores for encoding and background work
- 8 performance and 12 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Core i7-9700K (95W)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
What to Look for in an Unlocked CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Among these picks, L3 cache runs from 12MB on the Core i7-9700K to 33MB on the Core i7-14700KF. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
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 an Unlocked CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Core Ultra 5 245KF | Undercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600KF | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores | Core i5-14600K | 6 performance and 8 efficient cores |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Core i7-9700K | The lowest rated power here (95W) |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core i7-14700KF | The largest L3 cache here (33MB) |
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 Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600KF | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core i7-9700K | 12MB | 4.9GHz | 8 cores | 95W |
| Core i7-14700KF | 33MB | 5.6GHz | 20 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, Core i5-14600KF, Core i5-14600K |
| About $250 to $500 | Core i7-9700K, Core i7-14700KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these processors compare on rated power?
The Core i7-9700K, at 95W. The Core Ultra 5 245KF follows at 125W, while the Core i7-14700KF has 125W.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
Start with the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Core i7-14700KF 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.
Will a new CPU work in my current motherboard?
Only if the socket matches and the board's BIOS supports it. Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF, chosen for undercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked. Look at the Core i5-14600KF for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, the Core i5-14600K for 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and the Core i7-9700K for the lowest rated power here (95W) if those matter more to you.
Overclocking an Intel chip needs a Z-series motherboard; B-series boards lock the multiplier.