Core i5-14600K
Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C · 5.3 GHz · $319
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Panther Lake · 26C · 6.0 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i5-14600K lands at 87 and Intel Core Ultra 9 395K at 93. That puts Intel Core Ultra 9 395K ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i5-14600K if…
- ✓Strong gaming performance
- ✓Good productivity for price
- ✓DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
Pick Intel Core Ultra 9 395K if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K leads on single (95 vs 90).
Creators & productivity
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KRendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K leads on multi (93 vs 86).
Power efficiency
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KPerformance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K leads on efficiency (86 vs 78).
Value for money
Core i5-14600KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core i5-14600K more score per dollar ($319 vs $649).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i5-14600K | Intel Core Ultra 9 395K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 14 (6P+8E) | ▲ 26 (8P+16E+2LP) |
| Threads | 20 | ▲ 26 |
| Boost clock | 5.3 GHz | — |
| TDP | 125 W | — |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1851 |
| Architecture | — | Panther Lake |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
Core i5-14600K
- +Strong gaming performance
- +Good productivity for price
- +DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
- −Last-gen LGA1700 socket
- −Power hungry under load
- −No AI instructions
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
- +Latest generation silicon
- +Improved perf-per-watt
- +Full modern feature set
- −Premium pricing
- −Requires up-to-date platform
- −Initial stock scarcity likely
FAQ: Core i5-14600K vs Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Which is better, Core i5-14600K or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i5-14600K worth the price? +
At $319, Core i5-14600K delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in gaming.
Is Intel Core Ultra 9 395K worth the price? +
At $649, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.
Does Core i5-14600K or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for gaming, Core i5-14600K or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K — leads on single (95 vs 90). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.
Which is better for creator and productivity work, Core i5-14600K or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K — leads on multi (93 vs 86). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.