In a significant shift that marks the end of an era, Intel has officially launched its 14th generation Core CPU, set to be the final series under the ‘Core i’ branding. While the new release doesn’t promise substantial performance leaps due to the absence of architectural changes, it compensates with notable platform upgrades including support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 5, and an impressive achievement of up to 6GHz performance.
This release has spurred motherboard manufacturers into action, with several unveiling upgraded Z790 chipset-based motherboards compatible with the new CPUs. Despite potential justifications for a price hike given the current global economic climate, Intel has opted to maintain the pricing for its six ‘K’ series models, aligning with the 13th-generation equivalents.
However, market factors such as exchange rates could influence the final cost for consumers, potentially placing the 14th generation at a relative disadvantage. Despite this, the Core i7-14700K(F) stands out for its value, especially for those considering PC upgrades or new purchases. Unlike its contemporaries that feature only clock speed increases, the i7-14700K(F) boasts four additional E-cores, promising notable improvements in multi-threading/tasking tasks without any price increase.
Core i7-14700K With More Cores
A comparative performance review between the new Core i7-14700K and its predecessor, the Core i7-13700K, reveals a strategic core expansion in the former, elevating it to 20 cores and 28 threads. This enhancement, coupled with increased cache capacity and clock speed, doesn’t alter the fundamental specs of the CPU, maintaining similarities in chip placement relative to the CPU socket.
Performance tests indicate minimal differences in power and heat generation between the two models in idle states. However, under full load conditions, the Core i7-14700K’s enhanced E-core and faster clock speed contribute to increased power consumption.
Core i7-14700K Game Performance
Benchmarking results further underscore the Core i7-14700K’s superior performance, with approximately 15% higher multi-core performance and 3% higher single-core performance in Cinebench tests. Other assessments, including PCMark10, Geekbench, and Blender, also highlight its proficiency, particularly in multi-core tasks.
For gamers, the Core i7-14700K offers nuanced improvements. While 3DMark test results show up to 22% higher performance, actual gameplay enhancements are more conservative, with up to an 8-frame increase. This suggests that for users prioritizing gaming, the performance boost may not be a critical factor.
Intel’s Core i7-14700K(F) Vs Core i7-13700K(F)
| Specification | Core i7-14700K(F) | Core i7-13700K(F) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Generation | 14th | 13th |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake Refresh | Alder Lake |
| Core Count | 20 cores | 16 cores |
| Thread Count | 28 threads | 24 threads |
| Max Clock Speed | Up to 6GHz | Lower than i7-14700K |
| Cache | Higher (Exact size not provided) | Lower (Exact size not provided) |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | Same as i7-13700K (Exact figure not provided) | Not specified |
| Integrated Graphics | Not specified | Not specified |
| Max Memory Size | Not specified | Not specified |
| Memory Types | Not specified | Not specified |
| Wi-Fi Support | Wi-Fi 7 | Lower than Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth 5.4 | Lower than Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Thunderbolt Support | Thunderbolt 5 | Lower than Thunderbolt 5 |
| Performance Increase | Up to 22% in some tests | Base for comparison |
| Price (at launch) | Same as i7-13700K (Exact figure not provided) | Not specified |
In conclusion, the Core i7-14700K(F) emerges as a compelling option within the 14th-generation lineup, particularly for tasks requiring robust multi-threading. However, its appeal may be limited for users seeking substantial gaming performance improvements. The consistent power and thermal characteristics despite the increased cores and speed are commendable, reflecting Intel’s commitment to efficiency amidst the drive for enhanced performance.
Source: Bodnara
