Best Intel CPU in 2024 – Our top 5 Intel picks (February)
The best Intel CPUs available on the market right now.
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Looking for the best Intel CPU in 2024? Then you’re in the right place. Here at WePC, we have tested hundreds of the market’s greatest Intel CPUs, from absolute powerhouses to some of the best budget CPU offerings. It’s not all about the best specifications, however. What CPU you need has everything to do with your personal needs. Do you want the latest gaming monster? Or something more budgeted with a day-to-day focus?
For those looking to splash the cash, we have included the 14900K, which is one of the most powerful CPUs around at the moment. With the 14th Gen now available, now is a fantastic time to grab some savings on the earlier generations, including the 13th Gen. This is ideal since we dubbed the 13900K a fantastic gaming CPU in our review. This article is constantly updated with the latest products to ensure you can buy with confidence. If you’re wanting a CPU for gaming, make sure to check out the best CPUs for gaming.
Best Intel CPU in 2024
Below, we have outlined our picks for the best Intel CPU for gaming. These CPUs are the best of the best that Intel has to offer – but at different price points. At the time of writing, we would lean towards the 13th Gen for bang for buck, but if money is no object, the newer 14th Gen could be worth the investment.
Best Intel CPU: Core i9-13900KS
Intel Core i9-13900KS
Cores
24
Threads
32
Base speed
3.2 GHz
Boost speed
6 GHz
Cache
36MB
TDP
150W
- Powerful single and multi-core performance
- High boost speeds
- improved L2 cache capacity
- 32 logical processors
- pricey
- runs VERY hot
The i9-13900KS CPU is an extremely powerful processor that surpasses its competitors in both single and multi-core workloads. Its 24-core and 32-thread capabilities make it the top-performing multi-threaded CPU in recent years. The reason this CPU beats out the 14900K, is because it offers around the same performance at a lesser price. Is the 13900K good for gaming? We think so
Despite its impressive performance, the 13900KS has a high TDP of 150W base and 253W boost, which is a significant increase over Alder Lake. However, this also translates to a massive performance increase, with Raptor Lake CPUs boasting up to a 15% improvement in single-core performance and up to 41% in multi-core performance. Upgrading the motherboard is not necessary to access this performance, although it has its benefits. not to mention its staggering base clock speed and boost clocks of 3.2 GHz and 6 GHz respectively.
One of the improvements made to the 13900KS is the doubling of the L2 CPU cache, enabling the CPU to access larger and faster storage more swiftly. This prevents the CPU from experiencing backlogs that can slow down its processing speed. The 13900KS is also incredibly fast, with a boost core speed of up to 6GHz, making it the fastest core speed currently available. Not to mention the fastest naturally boosting CPU in the world.
However, the 13900KS does have a downside. It tends to run very hotly under immense stress, our testing found that even the lesser 13900K throttled up to 13%, even with a 360mm AIO. While it is unlikely that users will experience this level of usage, it’s important to consider cooling solutions to prevent the 13900KS from overheating.
Better value than the KS: Core i9-13900K
Intel Core i9-13900K
Cores
24
Threads
32
Base speed
P-cores 3 GHz / E-cores 2.2 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.8 GHz / E-cores 4.3 GHz
Cache
36MB
TDP
125 W / 253 W boost.
Intel’s 13th generation Raptor Lake flagship processor, the Intel Core i9, is highly sought after for the LGA 1700 platform for its exceptional gaming performance and impressive benchmark results across a wide range of tasks. This 24-core, 32-thread processor can handle these tasks with ease. Furthermore, it is compatible with PCI-E 4.0/5.0 and works seamlessly with 700 series motherboards, as well as 12th-generation motherboards that share the same socket. As per our 13900K review.
The Intel Core i9 13900K Processor is a strong contender for the best Intel CPU for 2024. Its exceptional performance in both creator-centric tasks and gaming is due to its impressive single-core performance. This sets it apart from most, if not all, of AMD’s offerings in its price range.
However, compared to AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X or Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the i9 13900K is not as efficient, but it is still a reliable workhorse. It is important to note that due to its high thermal profile, the processor requires dedicated cooling. Air-cooled coolers may not be sufficient, so investing in an excellent AIO solution is recommended to keep the processor cool during demanding periods.
Budget-friendly CPU: Core i5-13600K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost.
- High core count for an entry level CPU
- High base and boost speeds
- Efficient
- backwards compatible with 12th gen motherboards
- Runs very warm
The Intel i5-13600K is a very power-efficient CPU, as our 13600K review states, especially due to it being a 14-core, 20-thread CPU clocked over 5GHz. It gets nowhere near as hot as its 13900K bigger brother. This is a testament to just how well Intelo can do at the low end, as well as the high end.
The 13900K is incredibly cost-effective, costing between the 7600X and the 7700X on Team Red’s side, but pretty well outperforming the former and just getting the latter, Intel is seriously a force to be reckoned with this time around.
The 13600K is perfect for average gamers looking to upgrade their CPU without breaking the bank, and it has a full 20 threads to back it up when you want to do some multi-core-based workloads. This is a special balance that not many other CPUs have, they weather aim for one or the other. The 13600K is very much a jack-of-all-trades.
The best of the last generation: Core i9-12900K
Core i9 12900KS
P-cores
8
E-cores
8
Threads
24
P-core clock speed
3.4 / 5.5 (GHz)
E-core clock speed
2.5 / 4.0 (GHz)
Base CPU power
150W
- Very powerful
- Cool packaging
- No bundled cooler
- very expensive
- Barely more powerful than the 12900K
- Hard to cool
The Intel i9-12900K is Intel’s latest flagship CPU, coming to the table boasting an abundance of high-performance benchmarking results and great overclocking potential – when paired with the right Z690 motherboard. Whilst Ryzen held the crown in terms of best overall CPU, the 12900K may have just snuck it back – especially when it comes to out-the-box gaming and overclocking. As far as gaming is concerned, the 12900K outperforms the Ryzen in almost every scenario. You can see the full results here.
The new 16-core/24-thread processor is clocked at a base speed of 3.9GHz and can be boosted to 5.20GHz quite easily. It can smash pretty much everything you throw at it out of the box and will only be slowed by the inevitable GPU bottleneck.
That being said, the real fun comes when users want to overclock this CPU. It is one of the best out there for overclocking and initial reports have seen extreme cooling setups reach 7GHz on a single core. That’s pretty damn impressive, to say the least. If you don’t have liquid Nitrogen at hand, don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see healthy improvements in clock speed with a decent AIO cooler thanks to the Z690 being so supportive of overclocking. Overall, whilst this probably isn’t the best value-for-money Intel CPU, it’s the best right out of the box.
The new kid on the block: Core i9-14900K
Intel Core i9-14900K
Core configuration:
24 (8+16)
Threads:
32
P-Core Speed:
5.8GHz (boost) 3.2GHz (base)
E-Core Speed:
4.4GHz (boost) 2.5GHz (base)
DDR5 support:
Yes @ 5600MHz
TDP
125W base 253W PL1 & PL2
This is the flagship 14th Gen processor, and it’s a bit of beast. We reviewed the 14900K extensively, and found that it improved on the 13th Gen just enough to warrant a serious look. The downside, as with all new chips, is the price. That being said, on paper at least, you’re getting a lot for your money. The 14900K’s 32 threads make multi-tasking a breeze, while an insane boost clock speed of 5.8Ghz will take your rig to new heights in terms of power. But the question is… do you really need it? The other CPUs on the list offer decent performance and will only become more affordable as the 14th Gen settles into the market. Still, if you’ve got the cash, we always advise going for the best CPU out there… this is probably one of the best.
How to choose the best Intel CPU for you
If you’re building a gaming PC, choosing the right Intel CPU is critical. The CPU is the brain of your computer, and it’s responsible for handling all the calculations and processing that are required to run your favorite games. With so many different Intel CPUs on the market, however, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best choice for your needs. In this section of the article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to choose the right Intel CPU for your gaming PC.
We recommend you skip the 14th generation in favor of the 13th gen, as prices on them will fall thanks to the 14th gen release, and they practically perform the same anyway. Still, if you’re keen on the newest tech, opt for the 14th Gen flagship in this list.
Tips to choose the best CPU for your needs
- Evaluate Your Needs: The first step in choosing the right Intel CPU for your gaming PC is to evaluate your needs. Consider the types of games you plan to play, your budget, and any other specific requirements you may have. For example, if you’re planning to play AAA games, you’ll need a CPU with high clock speeds and multiple cores.
- Research Intel CPUs: Once you have a better understanding of your needs, it’s time to start researching Intel CPUs. Take the time to review the technical specifications of each CPU and compare them to your requirements. Make note of CPUs that meet your requirements and fall within your budget.
- Compare CPUs: After you’ve identified a few CPUs that meet your needs, it’s time to compare them. Consider factors such as clock speed, core count, cache size, and power consumption. These factors will all impact gaming performance, so it’s essential to evaluate each one carefully.
By following these steps, you can choose the right Intel CPU for your gaming PC and ensure that you get the best possible gaming performance out of your system. Take a look at our Top picks to see if there’s a CPU here that suits your needs.
Best Intel CPU in 2024: Final Word
There you have it, the best CPUs that we think Intel has to offer right now. Thankfully, all of these CPUs belong to the same socket type, so if you have an LGA 1700 motherboard, you can go ahead and acquire any one of these CPUs. The motherboards even come in both DDR4 and DDR5 versions if you need to upgrade but don’t want to shell out for DDR5 – We don’t blame you.
Other useful links
Best Intel CPU FAQs
What is the best Intel CPU?
Core i9-14900K is one of the best CPUs around right now, on paper anyway. We would still suggest the 13900KS as the top Intel CPU to get in 2024.
How good are AMD Ryzen processors compared to Intel?
Ryzen processors are generally considered to be on par with or better than Intel processors in terms of performance and value for money. In recent years, AMD’s Ryzen processors have made significant strides in narrowing the gap with Intel in terms of single-core performance, which was once considered Intel’s strength.
