Intel’s 14th-generation CPUs are finally out in the open, and benchmarks highlight that the 6 GHz-touting Intel Core i9 14900K and KF are the fastest consumer-grade Intel CPUs to date. The 24-core Raptor Lake Refresh CPU builds on the reputation that the 13900K commanded as an excellent productivity-centric CPU thanks to its massive 32-thread number-crunching potential and high clocks that delivered some of the best gaming performance one could get on a gaming PC.
Upgrading to the 14900K is an easier task thanks to Intel retaining the LGA 1700 socket as well as compatibility across the board. Gamers might need to upgrade their motherboard’s BIOS out of the box to ensure compatibility with the newer 14th-generation CPUs, including the flagship. Newer motherboard releases that utilize the stable Z790 chipset, such as the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero and the Gigabyte Aorus Master X, have 14th-gen CPU compatibility out of the box.
The 14900K also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, much like its predecessor. However, given the massive price cuts that the latter has seen, the former seems to fall out of favor for system builders and consumers alike. That is especially true given the performance considerations when building a top-of-the-line Raptor Lake Refresh-based PC with a sub-$600 budget for the CPU alone.
The Intel Core i9 14900K is already trading at a small discount over its stated MSRP of $590-$600 with most retailers selling it for $550 or lower. Users can also benefit by taking advantage of the Intel Core i9 14900KF, which is essentially the same CPU without an integrated GPU. It trades at a lower MSRP and an even steeper discount than the 14900K.
Intel is also offering a free copy of GhostRunners 2 with both the Intel Core i9 14900K and the 14900KF until the end of January at Newegg, which is worth an additional $40. This makes it a great deal for enthusiasts looking to buy the title down the line or for bargain hunters looking to secure a freebie to match AMD’s now-defunct Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora CPU bundle.
The Best Custom Intel Core i9 14900K PC Builds
The Game Rant team has put together a set of PC builds that are designed to take advantage of the 14900K at three different performance tiers:
- The Ultimate Build targets industry professionals and gamers looking for the best PC hardware possible paired with the 14900K.
- The Mid-Range Build allows for excellent performance and upgradeability down the line. This is best for users looking to get a GPU or hardware upgrade while building a balanced PC.
- The Entry-level Build targets users looking to use their existing GPU or upgrade to one later down the road with a functional PC built around a 14900K CPU.
The Ultimate Intel Core i9 14900K Build
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Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
$545 $620 Save $75
The Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU is Intel’s highest-end 14th generation CPU and offers the highest boost clocks for a consumer-grade CPU from Intel to date, clocking in at an impressive 6 GHz natively.
It succeeds the limited-release Intel Core 13900KS as the first mainstream 6 GHz CPU, even as it brings a large power draw and thermal requirement in tow to reach said clock speed.
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ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler
$350 $360 Save $10
The ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is ASUS’s latest premium tri-fan AIO that offers better cooling, an upgraded LCD, and a new Asetek 8th generation pump as some of its salient features. Thanks to a thicker radiator and a new cold plate, it can reduce temperatures drastically versus both its predecessor and its competition.
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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula
$748 $750 Save $2
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is the successor to its well-received Z690-based predecessor, offering a cleaner aesthetic and plenty of upgrades under the hood.
With Wi-Fi 7 under the hood in addition to the ability to overclock RAM better than previous models thanks to DIMM Flex as well as a 5Gb Ethernet port in play, the ROG Maximus hits a nice balance between form and function thanks to its excellent OLED display that can be customized using the bundled armory crate software.
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CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 7200MHz CL36
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 7200MHz CL36 is a highly stable RAM kit that boasts a high clock speed of 7200MHz with low latency. Perfect for Intel platforms, the Dominator Titanium also provides the new 24GB memory configuration and is ideal for overclockers and productivity enthusiasts. The new design features a decent-sized heatsink over the module with beautiful RGB LEDs.
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ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 White OC
$2550 $2750 Save $200
The Asus ROG Strix 4090 OC needs no introduction. It commands its own presence in the current market as the fastest GPU money can buy. It also arguably looks much better in white.
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Teamgroup T-Force Z540 M2 PCI-E SSD 1TB
$150 $160 Save $10
The Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD offers some of the fastest PCI-E Gen 5 SSD speeds money can buy in 2024 while throwing in a thin, patented graphene-based heatsink to keep things low-profile by design.
It offers a whopping 11,700 MB/s sequential read and 9,500 MB/s sequential write speeds with decent random read/write speeds in tow,
With a 3,000,000-hour MBTF and 700 TBW rating along with a comprehensive 5-year warranty in tow, the Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD delivers on its promise as a premium PCI-E 5.0 SSD in 2024.
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MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$160 $200 Save $40
The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
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Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL is a full-tower all-white PC case with a smart design. The case allows users to reverse the chassis, meaning the tempered glass will face the right way if the PC is kept on either the left or right side of the setup. There is integrated RGB lighting and a seamless tempered glass side that flows almost seamlessly into the front panel. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL can accommodate up to a 420mm radiator next to the motherboard and the same at the top or front using the included bracket. A full-sized GPU that’s up to 450mm can also be used in this case.
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Lian Li UNI FAN SL-INFINITY
$90 $100 Save $10
The Lian Li UNI FAN SL-INFINITY is a sight to behold when it comes to PC case fans. What is arguably the best-looking cooling fan to ever come from the Taiwanese case maker is also packed with plenty of features, such as daisy-chaining, an infinity mirror, and a cable-less design.
The Ultimate Build pulls out all the stops when it comes to accommodating the 14900K and looks to prevent bottlenecks for Intel’s flagship processor wherever possible. It does so while keeping invested in a premium white-themed aesthetic that sets it apart from the other builds being suggested below. It aims to prevent the 14900K from throttling under load by pairing it with one of the best, and arguably most expensive mainstream AIO coolers in the market, The ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB. To build on this advantage, it also uses high-clocked Corsair Dominator RAMS that clock in at 7200 MHz with a CAS latency of just 36, making them a unique product that matches its looks with excellent performance in tow.
It also takes advantage of the newer Z790 refresh motherboards by getting one of ASUS’s highest-end motherboards in play, the white-themed Maximus Z790 Formula, which comes with support for the 14900K out of the box. This allows users to build their PC from the get-go without requiring a BIOS update to detect the CPU unlike motherboards on older BIOS revisions which overwhelmingly need one to work with Intel’s newest flagship processor.
Paired with 1TB of one of the fastest PCI-E Gen 5 SSDs money can buy and the fastest readily available RTX 4090 GPUs, also in a white theme, the build also aims to allow users to add further hardware by adding a 1000W ATX 3.0 and PCI-E Gen 5 supporting MSI MPG 1000W PSU. All of this is housed in the large-sized Lian-Li O11 Dynamic Evo XL case that allows for plenty of different ways to route cables, fans, and internals thanks to a completely reversible design aimed at enthusiasts.
The team at Game Rant has selected a set of three SL Infinity fans from Lian Li as part of this build, but users can add as many as five more before running out of space (counting the three ROG-themed ones already on the Ryujin III). Another six are possible if they want to go for a push-pull approach to what is one of the fastest custom-built Intel Core i9 14900K configurations money can buy in 2024 for gaming, editing, and/or any other compute-intensive needs.
Estimated Build Cost: $5,303
Intel’s Core i9 14900K vs. 14700K vs. 14600K
Intel’s Raptor Lake Refresh’s first unlocked CPUs are out in the open. Which players should players get?
The Mid-Range Intel Core i9 14900K Build
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Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
$545 $620 Save $75
The Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU is Intel’s highest-end 14th generation CPU and offers the highest boost clocks for a consumer-grade CPU from Intel to date, clocking in at an impressive 6 GHz natively.
It succeeds the limited-release Intel Core 13900KS as the first mainstream 6 GHz CPU, even as it brings a large power draw and thermal requirement in tow to reach said clock speed.
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EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB
EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB stands as one of the most popular 360mm AIOs for providing excellent value for the money. Its big 360mm radiator is capable of keeping thermal throttling in intensive overclocking sessions and the digital RGB lighting on the fans and CPU block lightens up the chassis from inside.
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TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 48GB (2x24GB) 8200MHz
The TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 48GB RAM is among the fastest in the market right now clocked at 8200MHz. These blazing-fast memory modules can deliver amazing performance when paired with a compatible CPU and motherboard. It features CL38 A-DIE with support for Intel XMP 3.0, RGB, and 24GB capacity in a single stick.
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GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice comes with plenty of connectivity options and exceptional aesthetics. The white PCB and grey accents make it look gorgeous and the usage of big heatsinks all over the place helps it run cooler. Excellent for both gamers and professionals, the motherboard provides an excellent VRM, great components support, and onboard troubleshooting features.
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Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB
The Samsung 990 PRO is a top-tier solid-state drive designed for exceptional performance, featuring significant speed enhancements over its predecessor. It offers a massive boost in random read and write speeds that are 40% and 55% faster than the 980 PRO.
In addition, it provides high input/output operations per second (IOPS) up to 1400K/1550K, and sequential read and write speeds that reach up to 7,450 and 6,900 MB/s, approaching the maximum performance of PCIe 4.0. This SSD is not only high-performing but also energy-efficient. It provides up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO.
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ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC is a factory-overclocked RTX 4070 Ti SUPER GPU offering an excellent tri-fan cooler with a vapor chamber.
With a 10% bump in CUDA cores over its predecessor, high boost clocks, and the TUF gaming lineup’s penchant for reliability in tow, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC is the complete package for gamers looking to play games in 2K at a high refresh and occasionally dabble with 4K in some titles with ease.
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MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$160 $200 Save $40
The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
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Corsair iCUE 7000X RGB
$290 $340 Save $50
The Corsair iCUE 7000X is a full-tower ATX case that delivers on the features, style, and expansion options demanded from the best cases on the market. More than 50% larger than the typical mid-tower case, the iCUE 7000x has enough real estate for twelve 120 mm fans and three 360 mm radiators for liquid cooling systems. The ability to add four 2.5-inch SSDs or six 3.5-inch hard drives gives users enough storage space for years. The case also includes the Commander Core XT controller module to coordinate the iCUE-compatible lightning effects of the four included RGB fans.
Game Rant’s pick for the Mid-Range Build looks for a price tag under $3,000 but focuses on getting more out of that budget than most competing prebuilt PCs. Paired with 48GB of some of the fastest DDR5 memory money can buy, plus a capable and economical tri-slot EK Nucleus AIO cooler, the 14900K also benefits from the added connectivity that the versatile Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice offers, even as it takes advantage of one of the fastest 2TB PCI-E 4.0 NVMe SSDs money can buy in the shape of the Samsung 990 Pro.
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX may need a BIOS update to function correctly with and/or recognize the Intel Core i9 14900K CPU.
A more price-conscious pick in the shape of the ASUS TUF RTX 4070TI SUPER OC makes its way to the build that aims to control spending on the GPU but throws in a 1000W MSI MPG gold-rated PSU with the necessary power to handle an RTX 4090 upgrade in the future. The Corsair iCUE 7000X case allows for considerable customization and expansion for end users looking to add more components or tweak the existing configuration down the line.
The Mid-Range Build aims to deliver stellar performance, significant upgradeability, and scalability for gamers, power users, and enthusiasts on a relative budget while looking to get the latest and greatest Intel CPU with components that allow it to perform to its maximum. As a result, it does compromise on the GPU and motherboard purchases, keeping them under the $1000 and $300 mark respectively. This allows it to bring down costs while looking for performance alternatives wherever possible relative to the Ultimate Build, aiming to deliver better value at a lower price tag.
Total Estimated Build Cost: $2,684
The Best Gaming PC Builds Under $3000
Looking to build a PC for under $3000? Here are our recommended builds for the perfect price!
The Entry-Level Intel Core i9 14900K Build
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Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
$545 $620 Save $75
The Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU is Intel’s highest-end 14th generation CPU and offers the highest boost clocks for a consumer-grade CPU from Intel to date, clocking in at an impressive 6 GHz natively.
It succeeds the limited-release Intel Core 13900KS as the first mainstream 6 GHz CPU, even as it brings a large power draw and thermal requirement in tow to reach said clock speed.
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MSI MAG Coreliquid E360 AIO Liquid Cooler
$136 $140 Save $4
The MSI MAG CoreLiquid E360 AIO is a value-packed liquid cooler with a rotating water blockhead and three 120 mm ARGB fans. This cooling system benefits from an enlarged copper base which maximizes contact with CPUs for amplified heat exchange. The radiator also utilizes a split pathway design to distribute warm and cold liquid more effectively. Thanks to a water pump with a three-phase motor, the MAG CoreLiquid E360 can balance its cooling power with noise levels and avoid excess vibrations.
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Z790 Gaming X AX
$200 $250 Save $50
Those looking for a motherboard that isn’t extremely overpriced but should be able to pull all the functionalities within a fair budget should look no further than the Z790 Gaming X AX.
With inbuilt WiFi connectivity, decent power delivery and plenty of connectors/slots, this motherboard is ready to uplift gaming performance. The availability of a Q-Flash button and Debug LEDs, this is going to do great with mid-range Intel CPUs.
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Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB 6000MHz DDR5 Cl36
The Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB RAM kit is AMD Expo Certified and provides tight timings at a CAS latency of 36-38-38-80 (CL36) at AMD’s stated sweet spot of 6000MHz in DDR5. With excellent RGB in play along with a lifetime warranty, users have already begun pushing the Fury RAM considerably harder than what they are rated for, sometimes even at CL32 at higher clocks.
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Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
$62 $75 Save $13
This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4×4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
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GIGABYTE GP-UD1000GM PG5 Rev2.0 1000W PSU
$138 $160 Save $22
The GIGABYTE GP-UD1000GM PG5 Rev2.0 1000W is the second revision of the successful PG5 PSU with the addition of a native 16-pin PCI-E 5.0 power connector and compliance with Intel’s new ATX 3.0 PSU standards in a fully modular design backed by as much as 10 years of warranty at an affordable price.
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LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case
$100 $103 Save $3
The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
The Entry-Level Intel Core i9 14900K Build skips on a discrete GPU altogether, pushing it back for a later purchase down the line. However, it makes room for a beefy option down the line by bundling a powerful 1000W Gigabyte Gold-Rated ATX 3.0 and PCI-E 5.0-ready PSU. It already has the requisite connectors for users aiming to plug in a newer Nvidia RTX 4000 series or AMD RX 7000 series GPU or bring over their existing card from an older system. It does leverage MSI’s entry-level tri-slot E360 cooler to keep temperatures in check without pushing budgets meaningfully.
It also leverages the 14th-gen compatible Gigabyte Z790 Gaming X AX that offers decent power delivery, Wi-Fi AX support, and significant RAM overclocking potential in a neat, cost-effective package, even as it limits it to PCI-E 4.0 speeds on its M2 slots. On the memory front, 32GB of low-latency CL36 6000MHz DDR5 memory from Kingston’s HyperX brand is in play, in addition to a 1TB entry-level NV2 SSD from the same brand for storage needs.
This, combined with the airflow-centric Lian-Li Lancool 216, allows for the E360 cooler to be mounted at three different locations. All in all, the entry-level build discounts a discrete GPU and cuts costs where possible apart from the PSU, allowing users to use the processor’s iGPU or simply plug in their own to exact the most out of Intel’s fastest consumer-grade CPU to date without paying a premium.
Total Estimated Build Cost: $1,309
The Best RTX 4090 PC Builds
Nvidia RTX 4090 is the fastest GPU one can buy. Here are the best PC builds to maximize its potential for gamers, power users, and enthusiasts alike.
FAQ
Q: Is the Intel Core i9 14900K supported on existing Z690 and Z790 motherboards?
Yes, the Intel Core i9 14900K is supported on existing Z690 and Z790 as well as the upcoming 14th gen refresh-ready Z790 motherboards. Users might need to update the BIOS on these motherboards to get support for the new Intel CPU, however.
Techniques by a variety of motherboard manufacturers such as BIOS flashback make it easy to do so even without a CPU in the socket, which means that if users are buying an older motherboard, checking if it supports such a feature will make the upgrade process a lot easier.
Q: Does the Intel Core i9 14900K support DDR5?
The Intel Core i9 14900K supports both DDR5 and DDR4 memory as part of its internal controller, but it depends on the motherboard to designate the kind of memory that it can be paired with. DDR4 and DDR5 sockets are different in shape and only supporting memory can be plugged into a motherboard that supports either, making it impossible for user error. This is because they will not fit by design to reduce issues associated with pairing the wrong memory with the wrong motherboard.
