Intel is at it again. Not long after the launch of the Core i9-13900KS that stunned with its 6GHz speed, the tech giant has unveiled its 14th-gen desktop CPUs, led by the i9-14900K. The new chip is also capable of hitting the 6GHz mark, thanks to its “Thermal Velocity Boost.” But is this raw power just for show or does it serve a real purpose?

The chip also consumes 253 watts of power, which is a lot

It’s easy to get lured by the flashy 6GHz number, but the i9-14900K’s high speed only lasts for short bursts. These chips may have the upper hand in the Intel vs. AMD performance race, but they’re not for everyone. Intel claims that its 14900K chip is up to 23% faster than AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X3D when playing games like Starfield in 1080p. It’s worth noting that the comparisons could be skewed, as Intel’s benchmarks involved tasks that work better with its own UHD graphics. This chip guzzles power like it’s going out of style—253 watts, to be exact. That’s not exactly what you’d call efficient.

Intel CPUs

And speaking of AMD, Intel’s got its rival in the crosshairs. The company claims its flagship chip is up to 23% faster than AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X3D in gaming benchmarks. But let’s take that with a grain of salt. The tests favored Intel’s own graphics tech, so is it a fair fight? Jury’s still out.

But hey, if the i9-14900K is too rich for your blood at $589, there’s always the more budget-friendly i7-14700K. It’s got a cool 20 cores and tops out at 5.6GHz for a much more palatable $409. Now that’s a deal.

Here’s something intriguing, though. Intel’s throwing in some AI help for the overclocking crowd. Their new XTU AI Assist feature makes it simpler to push your CPU to the edge without frying it. Cool, right? But don’t look for an NPU (neural processing unit) for AI tasks in these new desktop chips; that’s reserved for Intel’s upcoming mobile line-up.

Is Intel’s 14th-gen desktop CPU line-up really the next big thing, or is it just a flashy way to outdo AMD? Bottom line: these chips are powerhouses, no doubt. But unless you’ve got specific, demanding needs (or just love to brag), the i7-14700K might be the more sensible pick. The new CPUs drop on October 17th, but maybe give it a good think before you grab your wallet.

RELATED:

(Via)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR