Buying Guide
The Best Unlocked CPUs
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core i7-12700K has the largest L3 cache, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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 out rated power, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KFUndercutting the Core i5-14600KF on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF.
Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core i5-14600KF6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core i5-14600K6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
Intel Core i7-9700KThe lowest rated power here (95W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for Intel Core i7-9700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core i7-12700KThe largest L3 cache here (25MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Check price for Intel Core i7-12700K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
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 than into the Core i5-14600KF.
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 third of 5 here, behind the Core i5-14600KF (5.3GHz) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (4.9GHz).
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 i5-14600KF, which has 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core i5-14600KF was closest.
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
The catch
What it gives up: no integrated graphics, unlike the Core i5-14600K; by contrast, the Core i5-14600K has it.
Also Consider2 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600KF
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).
Like the Core i5-14600K and Core i7-12700K, 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 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
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). 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 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
- Rated power trails the Core i7-9700K (95W)
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on rated power, where the Core i7-9700K offers 95W.
Lowest Rated Power4 of 5
Intel Core i7-9700K
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 i7-12700K leads at 25MB. Its 4.9GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core i5-14600KF leads at 5.3GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 8 cores, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 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 i5-14600KF, 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 i7-12700K cost more.
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
- L3 cache trails the Core i7-12700K (25MB)
- Boost clock trails the Core i5-14600KF (5.3GHz)
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Core i7-12700K covers it better at 25MB.
Largest Game Cache5 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
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Its rated power is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 25MB L3 cache and offers a 5GHz boost clock. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 25MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB). On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Core i5-14600KF offers 5.3GHz, and the Core i7-9700K comes in at 4.9GHz.
Its 12 cores core count ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores) and ahead of the Core i7-9700K (8 cores). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14600KF and Core i5-14600K; the Core i7-9700K goes with an LGA1151 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. 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 i7-9700K and the rest.
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
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Core Ultra 5 245KF at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its rated power; if that figure matters, the Core i7-9700K offers 95W.
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated power and threads have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Core i7-12700K, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Core i7-12700K gives no rated power; the Core i7-12700K gives no threads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250) to the Core i7-12700K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an Unlocked CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Across these 5 picks L3 cache spans 12MB (the Core i7-9700K) to 25MB (the Core i7-12700K). The Core Ultra 5 245KF comes second at 24MB, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Core i7-12700K.
How much boost clock you need
The Core i5-14600KF tops boost clock at 5.3GHz and the Core i7-9700K sits lowest at 4.9GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Core i5-14600KF if boost clock decides it.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much core count you need
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Core i7-9700K to 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 75% spread. Start with the Core Ultra 5 245KF if core count decides it.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF lists DDR5; the Core i5-14600KF and the Core i5-14600K list DDR4 or DDR5; the Core i7-9700K lists DDR4. Settling memory first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 1 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF, the Core i5-14600KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i7-9700K go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 4.
How to Choose an Unlocked CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Core i5-14600KF | 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 i7-12700K | The largest L3 cache here (25MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core i7-12700K leads on L3 cache at 25MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 24MB. "Not listed" marks rated power where the Core i7-12700K leaves the figure out.
| 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 i7-12700K | 25MB | 5GHz | 12 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Core Ultra 5 245KF was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Core i7-12700K the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| 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 i7-12700K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 245KF compare with the Core i7-12700K on L3 cache?
Between the top two, it is 25MB on the Core i7-12700K against 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 4% difference. The Core i7-9700K is at the other end of this group with 12MB.
Which has the lowest rated power: the Core i7-9700K or the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
The Core i7-9700K is lowest on rated power at 95W; the Core Ultra 5 245KF follows at 125W, 24% apart. The Core i7-12700K doesn't state a rated power figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Core i7-12700K add over the Core Ultra 5 245KF?
The spec sheets show L3 cache (25MB against 24MB) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Core Ultra 5 245KF still leads on boost clock (5.2GHz) and core count (14 cores). On our last price check the Core Ultra 5 245KF was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Core i7-12700K in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache decides your purchase.
Why is the Core i7-12700K our Largest Game Cache pick?
It earns the label for the largest L3 cache here (25MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core Ultra 5 245KF, 25MB against 24MB, a 4% margin. The price of that: the Core Ultra 5 245KF, the cheapest pick, still beats it on boost clock (5.2GHz against 5GHz) and core count (14 cores against 12 cores). It is aimed at games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851; the Core i5-14600KF, the Core i5-14600K and the Core i7-12700K use LGA1700; the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151.
What extras do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core i5-14600KF include?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600KF: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. The Core i5-14600K: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
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.
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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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