CPU vs CPU
Core i7-14700K vs Core i9-14900K
Within 2% of each other in gaming, so the Core i7-14700K is the pick: it costs $110 less for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed) today.
Key facts· updated
- The Core i7-14700K scores 76.4 and the Core i9-14900K scores 78.2 for 1080p gaming in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026 (RTX 5090, fastest chip = 100).
- The Core i9-14900K is 2% faster in games than the Core i7-14700K (Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026).
- The Core i7-14700K costs $380 and the Core i9-14900K costs $490 (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- With the cheapest compatible board and 32GB of memory, it's $761 for the Core i7-14700K platform vs $871 for the Core i9-14900K platform (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- Both use the LGA1700 socket. LGA1700: end of the line. Intel's newer chips use LGA1851.
| Spec | Core i7-14700K | Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score (1080p) | 76.4 | 78.2 |
| Price today | $380Sample | $490Sample |
| Platform cost today | $761Sample | $871Sample |
| Cores | 20 | 24 |
| Gaming power (approx.) | ~253 W | ~253 W |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Memory | DDR4/DDR5 | DDR4/DDR5 |
| Cooler in the box | No | No |
| Built-in graphics | Yes | Yes |
Gaming score: Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, “Gaming CPU Benchmarks Rankings 2026” (Oct 2026; 1080p, mix of High and Ultra settings, geometric mean of 17 games, relative to the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (= 100); NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition). Specs from maker pages (checked 2026-10-29). Platform cost = processor + cheapest compatible board + cheapest 32GB kit + cheapest cooler rated for the chip when none is in the box. Highlighted = better. Prices last checked ; Sample = PC Atlas catalog estimate, not a live store price.
Questions
Is the Core i7-14700K better than the Core i9-14900K for gaming?
Within 2% of each other in gaming, so the Core i7-14700K is the pick: it costs $110 less for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed) today.
How much faster is the Core i9-14900K in games?
2% in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy (Oct 2026): a 1080p gaming score of 78.2 vs 76.4, tested with an RTX 5090 so the processor is the limit. At 1440p and 4K with a mid-range card the gap shrinks, often to nothing.
What does each one cost with a motherboard and memory?
Core i7-14700K: about $761 with the MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4 (mATX) and TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16) DDR4-3200 CL16 plus the DeepCool AK620. Core i9-14900K: about $871 with the MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4 (mATX) and TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16) DDR4-3200 CL16 plus the DeepCool AK620.
Can I upgrade the Core i7-14700K or Core i9-14900K later?
LGA1700: end of the line. Intel's newer chips use LGA1851.