5 Best Intel CPU

Best Intel CPU

Intel’s new processors are more than just status symbols; they are among the best and most reliable chips. So it comes as no surprise that a lot of people are warming up to them. 

Thanks to their high clock speeds and IPC (instructions per clock) performance Intel’s overhauled CPUs are the perfect options for gaming, productivity tasks such as video editing, and other intensive workloads. 

While the AMD vs. Intel rivalry is more intense than it has ever been due to AMD upping its game, Intel’s new CPUs are the best when it comes to building a rig.

Intel’s HEDT (high-end desktop) CPUs offer exceptional performance at good prices for gamers and pros.

So whether you’re switching from an AMD CPU or you need to upgrade your aging one, Intel has got you covered. So which Intel CPUs are the best? Read on to learn more.  

5 Best Intel CPU	Architecure	Base Clock	Boost Clock	Cores/Threads	TDP	Dimensions	Weight
Intel Core i5-12600K	Alder Lake	3.7Ghz	4.9Ghz	10 & 16	125W	4.57 x 1.73 x 3.98 in.	3 oz.
Intel Core i9-10900K	Comet Lake	3.7Ghz	5.3Ghz	10 & 20	125W	3.54 x 5.25 x 6.1 in.	15.5 oz.
Intel Core i9-10980XE	Cascade Lake	3.0Ghz	4.6Ghz	18 & 36	165W	4.65 x 4.17 x 1.89 in.	3.52 oz.
Intel Core i9-11900K	Rocket Lake	3.5Ghz	5.3Ghz	8 & 16	125W	1.50 x 1.50 x 0.5 in.	3.2 oz.
Intel Core i9-12900Ks	Alder Lake	3.4Ghz	5.5Ghz	16 & 24	150W	4.75 x 4.25 x 3.2 in.	16 oz.

1. Intel Core i5-12600K

The Core i5-12600K is the best CPU available at the moment. It’s not just Intel’s best CPU or gaming processor; it’s the best processor hands down.

Its outfitted with ten cores, six of them used for performance and four for efficiency.

The performance cores come in handy for games, while the efficient cores offer more bandwidth for more demanding tasks.

Overall the i5-12600K is on top of the gaming charts, only second to Intel’s pricier 12^th Gen CPUs. 

Key Specifications

• Architecture: Alder Lake
• Base Clock: 3.7Ghz
• Boost Clock: 4.9Ghz
• Cores/Threads: 10/16
• TDP: 125W
• Dimensions: 4.57 x 1.75 x 3.98 Inches
• Weight: 3 Ounces

2. Intel Core i9-10900K

The Core i9-10900K is one of Intel’s best 10^th Gen CPUs, but it has fallen behind AMD in multi-threaded performance.

However, make no mistake in thinking it’s slow; the Core 19-10900K is very capable, particularly when it comes to single-core performance. 

It’s also a great improvement from its precursor, with two more cores bringing the total to a massive ten cores and twenty threads.

So if you love Intel CPUs and want something relatively powerful to power your rig, you should seriously consider the Core i9-10900K.

Key Specifications

• Architecture: Comet Lake
• Base Clock: 3.7Ghz
• Boost Clock: 5.3Ghz
• Cores/Threads: 10/20
• TDP: 125W
• Dimensions: ‎3.54 x 5.25 x 6.1 Inches
• Weight: 15.5 Ounces

3. Intel Core i9-10980XE

With a massive price difference, better boost clock speeds, and performance enhancements over the Core i9-9980XE, the Core i9-10980XE is a worthy successor of Intel’s Extreme Edition series.

Its refined 14nm process gives it better performance and low power consumption.

Not only that, it has better overclocking capabilities than any Intel CPU out there. So if overclocking is a massive factor for you, the i9-10980XE is worth its premium price tag. 

Key Specifications

• Architecture: Cascade Lake
• Base Clock: 3.0Ghz
• Boost Clock: 4.6Ghz
• Cores/Threads: 18/36
• TDP: 165W
• Dimensions: ‎4.65 x 4.17 x 1.89 Inches
• Weight: 3.52 Ounces

4. Intel Core i9-11900K

The new Core i9-11900K Rocket Lake desktop CPU from Intel is somewhat of a mixed bag.

Undoubtedly there is a lot to like about this CPU, but it’s also notorious for having very high temperatures at any given point and consuming a lot of power.

Fortunately, the Intel Core i9-11900K is equipped with Intel’s Xe UHD Graphics which is expected to boost its gaming performance considerably.

In case you’re wondering, Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics can support one 4K UHD monitor with refresh rates of up to 60Hz or three monitors at lower resolutions which means it’s perfect for graphics-intensive games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. 

Key Specifications

• Architecture: Rocket Lake
• Base Clock: 3.5Ghz
• Boost Clock: 5.3Ghz
• Cores/Threads: 8/16
• TDP: 125W
• Dimensions: ‎1.50 x 1.50 x 0.5 Inches
• Weight: 3.2 Ounces

5. Intel Core i9-12900KS

For a long time, the core i9-12900K has reigned as Intel’s fastest processor, but now it’s facing competition from itself.

The Core i9-12900KS is a specially designed and overclocked version of the Core i9-12900K that pushes the boundaries a bit further.

Although it isn’t exceptionally better than the Core i9-12900K, it’s better in some aspects, making it the fastest CPU available at the moment.

It features the same eight E-cores (efficiency cores) and eight P-cores (productivity cores), but the base and clock speeds are better.

Key Specifications

• Architecture: Alder Lake
• Base Clock: 3.4Ghz
• Boost Clock: 5.5Ghz
• Cores/Threads: 16/24
• TDP: 150W
• Dimensions: ‎4.75 x 4.25 x 3.2 Inches
• Weight: 16 Ounces

Final Thought

So there you have it, our in-depth review of the top Intel CPUs for 2022. Since AMD debuted its hugely successful 3000 series CPUs, Intel took a hit in its dominance.

But, the CPUs illustrated above feel like Intel’s first proper move in regaining its dominance.