Intel 14th Gen processors are finally here!
The rumours have been circling for a while now, so we are super hyped to finally be able to integrate these latest Intel innovations within our gaming PCs. We have a breakdown of the specs, supported hardware, and optimised features just in case you need further convincing to upgrade.
14th Gen Is Here
Intel 14th Gen processors are built on the hybrid architecture, introduced on their 12th generation processors. Since then, it has become a staple of Intel technology and has been continually enhanced for next-gen performance.
This series has been optimised for gaming. Whether you’re looking for an immersive experience or need to multitask whilst you play the latest AAA titles, the Intel 14th CPUs have been engineered to handle even the most demanding games.
Performance Hybrid Architecture
The Performance Hybrid Architecture equips you with even more innovative P- and E-cores, providing plenty of power to multitask, stream video, listen to music, encode video – all while playing your favourite games. The P-cores pack the powerhouse gaming performance, unleashing what’s needed to optimise your gaming for immersive play. The E-cores handle the multitasking with Intel Thread Director, dynamically keeping background processes and programs working efficiently, without interrupting your gameplay.
Plus, the Intel Smart Cache capacities have been expanded. This accelerates the CPU, allowing for higher and more consistent frame rates, better overall performance, and faster loading times. The ultimate trifecta for enhanced gaming if ever I saw one! Even better, you can boost this further with Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU), a simple-to-use overclocking interface. With a few clicks, you can fine tune an Intel 14th Gen processor to better meet your needs.
Pick Your Processor
Launching today, we have the i9, i7, and i5 K models. The “K” denotes that these CPUs can be overclocked, whilst the numbers indicate their performance category. From entry-level to elite-tier, this is one tasty line-up.
Intel Core i9
The Intel Core i9-14900K is the top dog of these three processors. It has been crafted to provide peak performance whether you use it for gaming, streaming, or content creation. Enjoy boost speeds up to 6.0GHz, whilst the 8P and 16E cores effectively manage your varied workloads. There are 32 threads, with sixteen on both the P- and E-cores each.
Intel Core i9-14900K and KF CPUs
- 8P and 16E cores, each with 16 threads
- 68MB cache
- Boost speeds up to 6.0GHz
- 125W TDP
- Perfect for high-performance gaming and content creation
Intel Core i7
We are eyeing up the Intel Core i7-14700K as the new sweet spot for gaming. The 8P and 12E cores will ensure you can game, stream, and record without interruption. Plus, there are sixteen threads for the P-cores and another twelve for the E-cores, meaning this CPU operates with a total of twenty cores and twenty-eight threads. Paired with boost speeds up to 5.6GHz and you can truly experience some high-octane performance with this processor!
Intel Core i7-14700K and KF CPUs
- 8P and 12E cores, each with 16 and 12 threads, respectively
- 61MB cache
- Boost speeds up to 5.6GHz
- 125W TDP
- Perfect for gaming, streaming, and content creation
Intel Core i5
Who says entry level gaming can’t be high-performance? The Intel Core i5-14600K has a boost speed of up to 5.3GHz, whilst packing fourteen cores and twenty threads. Juicy! This breaks down to 6P and 8E cores with twelve and eight threads, respectively.
Intel Core i5-14600K and KF CPUs
- 6P and 8E cores, each with 12 and 8 threads, respectively
- 44MB cache
- Boost speeds up to 5.3GHz
- 125W TDP
- Perfect for mainstream and entry-level gaming
14th Gen Comparison
If you need a TLDR; summary of these specs, here is a side-by-side comparison table for you.
| i5-14600K | i7-14700K | i9-14900K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 14 total 6P and 12E | 20 total 8P and 12E | 24 total 8P and 16E |
| Threads | 20 total 12P and 8E | 28 total 16P and 12E | 32 total 16P and 16E |
| Cache | 44MB | 61MB | 68MB |
| Boost Speed | 5.3GHz | 5.6GHz | 6.0GHz |
| TDP | 125W | 125W | 125W |
The Gaming Ecosystem
Ok, so we are pretty much sold on upgrading at this point – but how much of our gaming PCs need updating? In truth, not much. Unless you are making the jump from much older tech. 14th Gen Intel processors have great compatibility with current hardware, whilst also supporting some of the latest innovations.
Here is a quick breakdown of the tech it supports:
- Motherboards: 14th Gen Intel is compatible with both 600 and 700 Series motherboards, with the LGA 170 socket.
- RAM: Whether you’ve stuck with DDR4 or have jumped up to DDR5, these processors support both memory standards.
- PCIe: Enjoy cohesive performance with PCIe components up to Gen 5. Yes, this includes the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090!
- Connectivity: Enjoy ultra-fast connectivity, data transfer, and more. 14th Gen Intel processors support up to WiFi 7 networks, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4.
If that reads more like a shopping list, here are the necessary corners of the Overclockers UK website for you. I’ll take my thanks in the form of snacks.
600 Series Motherboard
700 Series Motherboard
DDR4 RAM
DDR5 RAM
NVIDIA GPUs
AMD GPUs
Push Your Imagination
Will you be making the upgrade to 14th Gen Intel? Let us know in the comments below – we want to hear how it optimises your gameplay!
- 5 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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