Forget the Core Ultra 285K, the 14900K’s price just got slashed by $100 and it’s better value for money

Table of Contents
The Intel Core 9 285K launched today. It is the top model in the latest Intel Core Ultra lineup, featuring powerful specifications. However, now that the processor has been released, we’re seeing discounts on several previous-generation processors, including the Intel Core i9-14900K, 285K’s predecessor.
Right now, the Intel Core i9-14900K is available for only $442 on Amazon. This is $100 less than its original $542 price tag and the lowest we’ve seen yet, according to Camelcamelcamel. The money you save can be used to get one of the best AIO coolers, which can help keep the CPU cool during intense gaming sessions.
Intel Core i9-14900K Processor
What does the Core i9-14900K offer?
The Core i9-14900K is the most powerful processor in the Intel 14th-gen lineup. It is a solid CPU for both gaming and content creation.
Today's best deals
- Intel Core Ultra 245K - 15% OFF NOW!
- ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQXR - $200 OFF NOW!
- Yeyian Yumi RTX 4060 Gaming PC - $500 OFF NOW!
- SAMSUNG 990 PRO 4TB SSD - 35% OFF NOW!
- Sony X77L 4K Smart TV - 16% OFF NOW!
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ - 29% OFF NOW!
- WD_BLACK 8TB SN850X SSD - 32% OFF NOW!
*Stock availability and pricing subject to change depending on retailer or outlet.
When it comes to specifications, the CPU offers 24 cores, which are divided into 16 Efficient cores and 8 Performance cores. For those who don’t know, Efficient cores are responsible for handling light tasks that don’t demand a lot of processing power, such as browsing, creating documents, and less demanding applications. On the other hand, Performance cores are activated during gaming, video editing, and other tasks that are CPU-intensive.
Aside from that, the 14900K has a base clock speed of 2.4 GHz, but it can go up to 6 GHz. Its base power is 125W, while its max turbo power is 253W. We recommend pairing it with one of the best power supplies for gaming to ensure the CPU and other components get the power they require to operate smoothly and are safe from power-related issues, like sudden power spikes.
We reviewed the Core i9-14900K and gave it 4 out of 5 points due to its solid performance. In all synthetic benchmarks, the CPU passed with flying colors. It scored 927.6 points in the CPU Z single-core test and 17,074.2 points in the multi-core test. On the other hand, in Geekbench single and multi-core tests, it scored 3,097 and 22,713 points, respectively. We also tested it in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with a low present, and it managed to hit 219 FPS.
Why should you get the Core i9-14900K instead of the new Core Ultra 9 285K?
We also reviewed and tested the Intel Core Ultra 285K, the successor to the 14900K and the top model in the Core Ultra series. When it comes to specifications, the biggest difference between the two is the socket. The Core Ultra 285K comes with the new LGA 1851 socket, while the 14900K uses LGA 1700. Aside from that, it has slightly higher base clock speeds and a 3W lower base turbo power than the 14900K, which isn’t that massive.
When we tested the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in synthetic benchmarks, we were surprised to find that it only had a slight edge over the i9-14900K in single-core tests. In multi-core tests, the 14900K outperformed it. Even in gaming, the 285K delivered only three more FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 compared to the 14900K, which isn’t a significant difference.
Now, if you look at the price difference between the two, the Intel Core Ultra 285K is listed for $629.99 on Newegg. On the other hand, thanks to the latest discount, you can get the Intel Core i9-14900K for only $442, which is $187 less than the new Core Ultra CPU. Given the minimal performance difference between the two, and the fact that the i9-14900K outperforms the 285K in some tests, we recommend opting for the 14900K instead.
You also need to consider the fact that you’ll need a new Z890 motherboard for the Core Ultra processors, which will significantly increase the total cost. So, with the 14900K, you’re getting more value for money, and you don’t even have to worry about getting a new motherboard if you already have one that offers an LGA 1700 socket.
More CPU deals
Intel Core i7-13700KF Gaming Desktop Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics – Unlocked