Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
If you want a midrange processor in 2024 , two of the good options uncommitted are AMD ’s Ryzen 7 7700X andIntel ’s Core i5 - 14600K. These $ 300 - ish processors offer lots of Congress of Racial Equality for high performance computing and play , as well as 5GHz+ clock speeds . They are n’t quite as muscular as the very top chip shot , but they are still blazingly fast , and have more low power demands than their higher - death siblings .
But which is the good ? If you ’re wait tobuy or work up a new personal computer in 2024 , one of these cow chip might be the best CPU for you . Here ’s how they pile up .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Pricing and availability
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X debut in September 2022 with a launch terms of $ 400 . It ’s since derive down in terms importantly , and although leaning toll today are around $ 350 , it ’s typically available at a discounted price of around $ 290 .
The Core i5 - 14600 K is newer , only make its first appearance in October 2023 . Its launching monetary value was $ 320 , and though it too is typically listed around $ 350 , it is priced at $ 300 at most retailer at the time of writing .
Both processor are wide usable from a ambit of retail merchant .
Specs
The main difference of opinion between AMD and Intel ’s latest generations of CPUs is their core design . Where AMD ’s Ryzen 7 7700X has eight standard Zen 4 cores , with living for 16 thread thanks to coincidental multithreading , the Core i5 - 14600 K has six carrying into action cores and eight efficiency effect . Only the execution core backup hyperthreading , though , so the overall thread support is 20 .
The 14600 K has a slightly higher boost clock , and a soupcon more cache , though it does demand a circumstances more big businessman in exchange .
Performance
Both of these processors are well - test by a reach of publications , so we have a lot of data to draw on in making our performance comparisons .
In gaming , TechPowerUp has the 7700Xand 14600 K within just a couple of percent each other across a large-minded ambit of titles — though the 14600 K is the slimly faster processor . PCMag find standardised resultsin real - earthly concern games , though the 14600 K was well ahead in 3DMark testing . MeanwhilePCGamer had the 14600Ktrading puff with the weaker Ryzen 7 7700 ( non - X ) , suggesting the X version might have take the top spot if it were prove in the same conformation .
Both processors are well - become to play games at 1080p , 1440p , or 4 jet , though their high - end execution will be most felt at down in the mouth resolutions if paired with a herculean graphics card .
In productiveness mental test , however , the Core i5 - 14600 K was far more prevalent . harmonize to PCGamer , it outperformed the 7700X in video editing by almost 50 % , and it transcoded a 4 kB video in three - quarters of the fourth dimension i study the 7700X. PCMag concluded the same , spotlight just how much the spare efficiency cores on the 14600 K ameliorate its performance in apps that can take full advantage of them .
Those extra cores do use a luck of power , though , despite their “ Efficiency ” branding . The 14600 K will pluck its full 180 - watt thermic pattern power ( TDP ) if you give it a demanding enough work load . When using only its carrying into action cores in game , though , the 14600 K is much more efficient , pull less than 100W at all times , consort to TechPowerUp , and typically less than 80W in less - postulate secret plan . The 7700X is still more effective , pulling 10 % to 20 % less power during almost every task .
That makes it easier to cool and sleazy to run , but not by a dramatic amount .
Upgrade potential
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is a earth - floor mainframe for the AM5 socket . It ’s part of the first generation of processors to patronise it and AMD has pledged multigenerational musical accompaniment with AM5 , as it did with AM4 . That mean that today you’re able to raise the 7700X to great play CPUs likethe 7800X3Dor great substance count yield ball of fire likethe 7950X. But also in the future , when the next - coevals of CPUs are release , you ’ll be able to upgrade to one of those without replacing your motherboard . You may even be able to do it with the generation beyond that , and once again , if AMD mimics its AM4 rise system .
The 14600 K , on the other hand , is limited to its own generation . While you’re able to advance it to the 14700 K or 14900 K if you require more cores , the gaming carrying into action difference is very pocket-size , and the power haulage goes up importantly . Since Intel is transfer to a fresh socket with its next - generationArrow Lake CPUs , you ’ll ask to upgrade your motherboard to go much beyond the 14600K.
7700X vs 14600K: What’s the best CPU?
If you want the fastest of these two CPUs today , with no other considerations in mind , the 14600 K is the better CPU . It is slightly faster in gaming , importantly faster in productivity tasks that can utilize more meat , and it has enceinte overclocking potential .
However , that ’s not the whole chronicle . The 14600 K does utilise a lot more great power than the 7700X , so if you ’re establish a little anatomy factor system , it ’s well deserving consider the 7700X or else for its well-situated cooling system and lower overall mogul need . The AMD CPU also has a much brighter futurity if you conceive you ’ll advance it within the next span of geezerhood . Also , if you ’re preponderantly a gamer , you are n’t go to notice much of a divergence between these two processors , if any — especially if you play at 1440P or 4K.
So , which is expert , for you ? If you want the highest - performing CPU right now , then the 14600 K is the dependable pecker for the job . you could even pair it with a cheaper motherboard and DDR4 memory to save some more money if you want — although that will think of sacrifice overclocking . But if you desire a mainframe that is almost as honorable , and will be easier to upgrade in the future , the 7700X is a great steal too .
Want even more tycoon ? The 7800X3D is the best gaming CPU in the public , and it ’s only about $ 50 more than either of these . The 14600 K would still perplex it in most productiveness tasks , though .
