Intel Core i9-14900K vs Intel Core i5-14600K
The Intel Core i9-14900K is the flagship choice here, boasting a jaw-dropping 6.0 GHz clock speed. In my testing, the i9-14900K shines in multi-threaded tasks with its 24 cores and 32 threads, perfect for heavy workloads. But its high power consumption of up to 253W means you’ll need top-tier cooling, while the i5-14600K’s 181W maximum power draw brings excellent performance without the same heat issues, making it a more balanced option for everyday use.
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Intel Core i9-14900K
Intel Core i5-14600K
Comparison: Intel Core i9-14900K vs Intel Core i5-14600K
Intel Core i9-14900K
Intel Core i5-14600K
| Criterion | Intel Core i9-14900K | Intel Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(1,274)Amazon | ★4.5(2,605)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core i9) | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core i5) |
Socket Platform | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 24 Cores (8P + 16E) / 32 Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-Core: 3.2 / 5.6 GHz; E-Core: 2.4 / 4.4 GHz; Thermal Velocity Boost: 6.0 GHz | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.3 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 4.0 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.3 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 32 MB L2 + 36 MB L3 (68 MB Total) | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 253 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1650 MHz) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1550 MHz) |
Instruction Features | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | No (360mm or 420mm Liquid Cooler required for optimal performance) | No (Air cooler with 200W+ TDP rating or 240mm+ AIO recommended) |
Max Temp | 100°C (212°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Features Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) to hit 6.0 GHz only if thermal headroom allows. Notorious for extreme power usage; recent BIOS updates (0x129 microcode) recommended to prevent degradation. | Unlocked multiplier. Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 (motherboard dependent). High power draw under full load (181W+ if limits removed). LGA1700 platform end-of-life. |
Chipset Support | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
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Intel Core i9-14900K
✓ Pros:
- • One of the fastest consumer CPUs for mixed gaming and heavy multi-threaded productivity
- • Extremely high 6.0 GHz clock speed out of the box
- • Retains support for DDR4 memory for cost-effective platform choices
✗ Cons:
- • Extremely high power consumption and heat output; requires top-tier cooling
- • Dead-end platform (LGA1700) with no upgrade path to Core Ultra
- • Expensive compared to competitive options with similar gaming performance
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Intel Core i5-14600K
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming
- • Balanced price-to-performance ratio for mid-range builds
- • Retains support for affordable DDR4 memory
✗ Cons:
- • High power consumption compared to Ryzen 5/7 competitors
- • No upgrade path (LGA1700 is a dead-end socket)
- • No stock cooler; requires a decent aftermarket cooling solution
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core i9-14900K is the better buy for most people - its 6.0 GHz clock speed crushes the i5-14600K's 5.3 GHz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Intel Core i9-14900K if: you run demanding applications, need the highest gaming performance, or plan to do heavy content creation.
Choose the Intel Core i5-14600K if: you want great gaming performance without breaking the bank, need a balance between price and power, or don't want to deal with excessive heat.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Intel Core i9-14900K excels if you value one of the fastest consumer cpus for mixed gaming and heavy multi-threaded productivity. Intel Core i5-14600K is better if you prioritize excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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