The Latest Microprocessor For Your PC
A microprocessor is a chip that handles the core functions of your PC. It performs data processing and storage, handles Internet connectivity, and supports machine learning tasks.
Intel’s 14th generation of processors are a relatively straightforward refresh of 13th Gen processors (Raptor Lake-S Refresh). They offer slightly higher clock speeds and improved efficiency in i7 models with the addition of four efficient cores.
1. Intel Core i7-14700K
Intel’s 14th generation desktop processors have generally been incremental upgrades with small frequency bumps, but the Core i7-14700K is an exception. It’s a gaming-focused CPU that delivers a significant upgrade over the previous workhorse 13700K, and even a little closer to the flagship Core i9 in multi-threaded benchmarks.
This is thanks to four extra efficient cores compared to the prior generation, which closes the gap between the Core i7 and i9. These are E-cores rather than the more powerful Performance cores, but that still adds up for a sizable boost in gaming and some productivity applications. The CPU also gets a slight clock speed bump from 5.4 GHz to 5.6 GHz on the top-firing performance cores, and Intel has added 3MB of smartcache versus the 13700K’s 29MB.
The 14700K is also latest microprocessor more feature-rich than the 13700K, including support for IOMMU virtualization (PCI passthrough) and Advanced Vector Extensions. The latter is used for calculations and can improve performance in some games and applications.
Despite being a performance chip, the 14700K is also an inexpensive part. It’s only a few dollars more expensive than the 14900K, which makes it a tempting choice for those who want to spend less on an Intel CPU without sacrificing too much gaming performance. The performance boosts it provides compared to the 13700K make this a worthy upgrade for anyone who is looking to build a new PC.
2. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 Series
Designed for high-end desktop (HEDT) users and systems integrator partners, AMD’s new Ryzen Threadripper 7000 Series is built on its leading 5nm “Zen 4” architecture and delivers up to 96 cores and 192 threads for exceptional multithreaded performance. Featuring quad-channel DDR5 memory and up to 48 PCIe Gen 5.0 lanes, it allows workstations to unlock the full potential of their hardware for unprecedented performance and possibility.
Compared to their predecessor, the new ‘Zen 4’ processors deliver up to a 13% increase in Instructions Per Clock, enabling them to handle complex workflows with greater speed and efficiency. They also feature support for AVX-512 instructions, which accelerate performance in popular software tools like Altair Radioss and Simulia Abaqus.
In addition to these performance boosts, the ‘Zen 4’ processors can address memory access much more quickly thanks to a technology called Neural Network Scaling, which increases the number of available memory channels, reducing loaded memory latency. They can also scale up to 1TB with RDIMMs, and they feature a range of other premium components and technologies that help ensure a more reliable, stable platform for professional applications.
The Ryzen Threadripper 7000 WX-Series is backed by the AMD PRO technologies enterprise customers rely on, providing a comprehensive set of features to improve manageability, security and stability across diverse workloads. It also includes AMD Secure Processor, a multilayered approach to hardware security that helps defend against sophisticated attacks.
3. Intel Core i7-7700K
Intel’s flagship quad-core processor, the Core i7-7700K, is a good choice for any desktop PC. It’s fast, has plenty latest microprocessor manufacturer of headroom for overclocking, and delivers solid performance for most games. There are a few modern, core-heavy games that can give it trouble, but they’re far from common.
The 7700K is based on the Skylake CPU architecture and uses Intel’s 14nm process node. It features four high-performance cores, 8MB of SmartCache memory, and Intel’s HD 630 graphics. It supports the new AVX instructions, which improve performance for computing-heavy programs. It also has support for hardware virtualization and IOMMU (PCI passthrough), which can make it easier to run multiple operating systems.
The i7-7700K’s biggest upgrade is its higher clock speed. The CPU runs at 4.2GHz, up from 4GHz in the 6700K, and can hit 4.5GHz in Turbo Boost mode. It’s not a massive improvement, but it helps close the gap with AMD’s top Ryzen processors.
4. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 Series
After a short hiatus, AMD’s powerhouse Threadripper CPUs are back for workstations and high-end desktop (HEDT) systems. The new ‘Zen 4’ processors offer up to 96 cores and clock speeds of up to 5.3 GHz. They’re well suited to demanding pro workflows, including visualisation, simulation, reality modelling and AI.
In our benchmarks, the ‘Zen 4’ 7985WX and 5980WX both show impressive performance, with the latter outperforming Intel’s top consumer CPU, the 16-core i7-7700K. The ‘Zen 4’ chips also have a lower Thermal Design Power than the previous generation.
AMD’s new HEDT platform, the TRX50, is compatible with the ‘Zen 4’ processors. It’s not quite as large as the WRX90/TRX40 platforms that were used with the original Threadripper chips, but it has more PCIe 5.0 lanes for graphics and storage.
It supports up to 48 RDIMM slots, which is plenty for a workstation. Like the earlier ‘Zen 3’ chips, the ‘Zen 4’ Threadripper 7000 Series has a 14-stage die and delivers up to 16MB of L3 cache. It’s also able to support AVX-512, Bfloat16 and VNNI. The new ‘Zen 4’ architecture adds a 13% increase in IPC and features enhanced security with support for AES-NI. These enhancements improve performance in multi-GPU and AI workloads. The new processors are slated to launch in October. They’ll be available for DIY builders and System Integrators.