5 best Intel Core CPUs in 2024
Despite AMD Ryzen CPUs becoming substantially more powerful over the years, Intel Core CPUs have still maintained a great standard in terms of performance and affordability. You could choose almost any modern card ranging from the 12th-gen to the latest 14th-gen and enjoy great performance. These cards are capable of playing most AAA titles at some of the best quality when paired with the right GPUs.
However, with so many options online, it can get quite confusing to choose the right one for you. To assist with your research, we have compiled a list of the best Intel Core CPUs you can buy in 2024 that are good for both gaming and multitasking.
Note: The entries are arranged in no particular order.
The best Intel Core CPUs to buy in 2024
1) Intel Core i7-14700K
Price: $387.42
The i7-14700K is one of the Intel Core CPUs we'd recommend as it provides the best performance overall. While it may not be the most powerful, it certainly is the most efficient. It strikes a balance between performance and power consumption, so you won't have any issues regarding heating. It features 20 cores and 28 threads, which makes it perfect for gaming and creative tasks.
You get a decent base frequency of 3.4GHz which helps the CPU run at optimal performance without being too heavy on the power consumption. In fact, one of the main reasons I chose this to be the overall best is because it's not as power-hungry as the more expensive options. With a good cooler, you should be set for a long time to come.
Pros:
- Offers excellent gaming performance when paired with a powerful GPU
- Has strong multi-tasking ability with its 20 cores
- It does not get as heated up as some options
Cons:
- Has a higher price point compared to the i5 options
- It may require a good cooling solution due to overclocking potential
2) Intel Core i9-14900K
Price: $547.99
The i9-14900K might be one of the best Intel Core CPUs on the market right now. It is a little less powerful than the i9-14900KS, but also produces much less heat, so that's a plus point. You get a whopping 24 cores and 32 threads, which are incredible for gaming and multitasking. Coupled with that, you can efficiently perform intense tasks without experiencing any sort of lag.
It has the potential to reach up to 6GHz, making it insanely fast and one of the only processors to boast that speed. However, the i9-14900K is also notorious for reaching incredibly hot temperatures, which has evoked significant criticism. Nevertheless, such issues can be mitigated with a good cooling system, particularly an AIO cooler. This processor may be overkill for just gaming, as its benefits shine in demanding workloads.
Pros:
- It is the absolute best Intel gaming CPU currently available
- The 24 cores on the CPU make it excellent for multi-tasking
- Has one of the highest clock speeds ever
Cons:
- Has the highest price point on this list
- It requires a powerful cooling solution for overclocking
3) Intel Core i5-14400
Price: $239.00
Next on our list is the Intel Core i5-14400, which is one of the best mid-range Intel Core CPUs you can buy at the moment. It offers a good mix of performance and affordability and at $239, it offers stellar performance and value for money. With 10 cores and 16 threads, it is great for gaming and creative work.
You get a total cache memory of 20MB, which allows you to access data quite quickly and get the most out of your CPU overall. The best feature is that it is not as power-hungry as more powerful variants, making it a great buy for those assembling a mid-range PC build.
Pros:
- It offers great value for the price and strong gaming performance
- Has lower power consumption compared to K-series CPUs
- Its 10 cores can handle most modern games well
Cons:
- It may not be the most ideal for heavy multitasking or professional content creation
- May struggle in heavily multi-threaded workloads
4) Intel Core i7-13700K
Price: $301.98
The i7-13700K is another great Intel Core CPU, particularly, a more affordable variant. For just around $300, you get a solid processor capable of performing high-end workloads and gaming, offering great value for money. You get 16 cores and 24 threads on this CPU, allowing for maximum efficiency.
You get a cache of up to 30 MB, marking a big step up from the i5 processor mentioned above. This extra cache can help big time with multi-threaded tasks like video editing, web development, and more.
Pros:
- It is still a very capable CPU and a great option if found at a discount
- The CPU supports the latest technologies like PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- It can be found at discounted prices compared to the 14700K
Cons:
- It is outperformed by the newer i7-14700K in most benchmarks
- You may need a good cooling system
5) Intel Core i3-12100F
Price: $87.76
Last on our list, we have the Intel Core i3-12100F which is one of the more affordable CPUs on the list. At less than $100, you get a well-performing processor that'd be a good low-budget choice for gaming. It may not be the most ideal, but when paired with a good GPU, you can expect some great results.
It has far fewer cores, threads, and cache, but don't let this fool you as for the price, these components offer great performance. While it is not the best for creative work, you can still handle moderately taxing tasks well. I do recommend you invest in a decent GPU like the RTX 3060, as you are saving a lot on the CPU.
Pros:
- It is a budget-friendly option for basic tasks and casual gaming
- Has a very low power consumption
- Does not have integrated graphics and requires a dedicated GPU
Cons:
- It is limited to four cores and can struggle with demanding games or demanding tasks
- Not suitable for professional workloads or content creation
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