Intel Core i5 Raptor Lake Refresh 14600K BOX

Almost a sports car at the price of a family sedan

In recent years, Intel has been regularly facing criticism, but as soon as market prices adjust, its processors become quite attractive. The hybrid models of the 13th and 14th generations have been particularly successful, offering an excellent balance between price, performance, and energy efficiency. Moreover, they support multithreading, unlike the new Core Ultra, which lack SMT technology. One such balanced solution is the Core i5-14600K.

14 Cores, 20 Virtual Threads

The Core i5-14600K is a representative of the 14th generation Intel Raptor Lake Refresh. This hybrid processor is equipped with 14 cores and supports 20 threads. It includes 6 performance cores with frequencies from 3.5 to 5.3 GHz and 8 energy-efficient cores operating at up to 4 GHz. The processor is installed on the LGA 1700 socket and supports both DDR5 and DDR4, providing additional flexibility during assembly. Thanks to this versatility, the Core i5-14600K performs well in both gaming and work applications.

More powerful than the Core i7-12700K

Despite being positioned as a mid-range processor, the Core i5-14600K surpasses many more expensive Core i7 models of the 12th and 13th generations. Its performance is comparable to modern solutions from AMD and Intel, yet it is noticeably cooler compared to flagship Alder Lake and Raptor Lake. A classic tower cooling system is quite suitable for its cooling.

However, it should be noted that Intel often changes sockets. The LGA 1700 socket debuted in 2020 and is already considered from the previous generation, which may complicate future system upgrades. Nonetheless, at the moment, the Core i5-14600K remains an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful and balanced processor at a reasonable price.