Best Intel CPU for high-end 4K gaming?

Question

Im losing my mind trying to pick a chip for my 4K rig. Budget is around 500 bucks, need it by next month. Torn between the i9-14900K and the i7-14700K, but worried about the heat issues everyone keeps complaining about. Is the extra cash for the i9 actually worth it for gaming?

Stella Giroux · Accepted Answer

To add to the point above: honestly skip the i9. I tried overclocking the Intel Core i9-14900K 24-Core 6.0GHz and it was a thermal nightmare. Spent way too much on a massive cooler only for the frame rates to barely budge over my old setup. Save your cash for a better GPU or snag an Intel Core i7-14700K 20-Core 5.6GHz instead, its much easier to manage.

dpnixtqiek · Answer

Honestly, at 4K, your GPU does the heavy lifting. Save the money and grab the Intel Core i7-14700K 20-Core Processor.Runs coolerCheaperNear identical gaming performance