60

Core i5-14400F Processor

Raptor Lake Refresh · 10C/16T · LGA 1700

$199

MSRP

74

Core i5-14600K Processor

Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C/20T · LGA 1700

$319

MSRP

Our verdict

The Core i5-14600K Processor takes the performance lead with a 23% higher overall score, driven by its 14 shader cores, 24 MB of memory, and 5,300 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 18% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Core i5-14400F Processor tells a compelling value story. At $199 versus the Core i5-14600K Processor's $319 price tag, it costs 60% less while delivering performance that's only 23% behind. Its 20 MB of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Core i5-14400F Processor is the smarter purchase. The Core i5-14600K Processor only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Core i5-14600K Processor

23% faster overall

Best value for money

Core i5-14400F Processor

10% better value per dollar

Core i5-14400F Processor best for

Power efficiency

10% better value per dollar

Memory

Max memory
128 GB
192 GB
Memory type
DDR5-4800
DDR5-5600
Memory channels
2
2

Performance

Cores
10
14
P-cores
6
6
E-cores
4
8
Threads
16
20
Base clock
2,500 MHz
3,500 MHz
Boost clock
4,700 MHz
5,300 MHz
L2 cache
9.5 MB
20 MB
L3 cache
20 MB
24 MB
Process
10 nm
10 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
LGA 1700
LGA 1700
PCIe
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
PCIe lanes
20
20
Integrated graphics
None
Intel UHD 770

Power

TDP
65W
125W
Max turbo power
148W
181W

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
290 fps
345 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
125 fps
145 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
105 fps
125 fps
Spider-Man 2
115 fps
135 fps
Starfield
78 fps
95 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
105 seconds
78 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
720 pts
950 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
10,200 pts
13,200 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
205 seconds
155 seconds
7-Zip Compression
65,000 MIPS
85,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
72 seconds
55 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
105 pts
122 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
2,400 pts
2,800 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-14600K Processor worth $120 more than the Core i5-14400F Processor?

It depends on your needs. The Core i5-14600K Processor scores 74 overall vs 60 for the Core i5-14400F Processor. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Core i5-14400F Processor offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Core i5-14400F Processor or Core i5-14600K Processor?

The Core i5-14600K Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Core i5-14600K Processor provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Core i5-14400F Processor still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Core i5-14400F Processor handle 4K gaming?

The Core i5-14400F Processor can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Core i5-14600K Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Core i5-14400F Processor or Core i5-14600K Processor?

Choose the Core i5-14400F Processor if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Core i5-14600K Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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