Safe to buy an intel 14700k in May 2026?

Posted by leppardfan@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 19 comments

I have a 12700k 64gb z690 system that does a lot of multi-core computation-heavy work.
I'd like to get some additional performance but I don't expect that I'll buy a Nova Lake system until memory/NVME prices come down. For $320, I can upgrade to 14700k - but my concerns are:
(1) 14700k processor longevity due to all the issues they had,
(2) How much performance gain will I actually get between a 12700k and 14700k, the biggest benefit is the additional 8 efficiency cores of the 14700k.
Any advice?

[-]

Inevitable_Cycle3087@reddit

only thing i’d caution is there’s no upgrade path past that without switching to a new chipset and to ddr5

it’s a pretty small upgrade all things considered, so maybe best to wait and go for a core ultra?

if you live near a micro center cheap their for bundles, i just upgraded to a core ultra 265k and got 32gb of ddr5 free in a bundle

[-]

Monotask_Servitor@reddit

If they’ve got a 12700 already though they’ll presumably be reusing their motherboard and RAM so the 14700 is the logical upgrade as they’ll be getting another cycle out of their existing platform. I did the same when I went from a 12400 to a 14600, was a chip only swap.

[-]

leppardfan@reddit (OP)

I'd like to go to NovaLake when thats available, but don't expect memory prices to come down untl at least late 2027. When you upgrades from 12th Gen->14 Gen CPU, did you have any concerns about the CPU Power issues of the 14th gen?

[-]

Monotask_Servitor@reddit

The 14600 definitely runs hotter, but I was already running a 240mm AIO and plenty of airflow so nowhere near alarming levels. And I’m running an 850W PSU so I’ve got tons of PSU headroom.

[-]

JoshLineberry@reddit

I've got some 12600k systems and 2 14600k systems and the 14600k blows the 12600k away.

[-]

legotrix@reddit

I did this and didn’t go any higher because I am on ddr4, I have 1 year with this 14600k on a b760m motherboard (it helped that I updated the bios on a 12400f)

[-]

Monotask_Servitor@reddit

Exactly what I did. Was already keeping the bios current on the 12400f so was a nothingburger going to the 14600KF

[-]

Inevitable_Cycle3087@reddit

oh yea if they plan to do a full upgrade way down the line that’s a good choice to upgrade to, only pointing out that if they wanted to upgrade like 2 years from now, then just waiting and doing a full platform upgrade would make more sense

[-]

Hot-Trust8156@reddit

I had done the exact same upgrade, from 12700k to 14700k. Updated the bios and faced no issues with stability or degradation. Been around a year, had good uplift in games when cpu bound, especially if you’re utilizing ray tracing.

[-]

leppardfan@reddit (OP)

When you did the 14700k upgrade did you change your cooler at all? or notice any difference in CPU temps?
I'm using a 240mm Corsair water cooler....it keeps the 12700k very cool.

[-]

Hot-Trust8156@reddit

I did have to upgrade my cooler. I had a dual tower air cooler deepcool ak620 but it just wasn’t able to keep up with the temps, hitting thermal throttle limit. I switched to a thermalright 360 AIO and now temps are great.

[-]

SatisfactionKlutzy18@reddit

It’s a substantial upgrade, but just make sure you update the bios to the latest one and DONT overclock it. I would actually suggest undervolting it more than anything else

[-]

leppardfan@reddit (OP)

Already running the latest Asus BIOS from december 2025. Any power target on undervolting it?

[-]

Tks1991@reddit

Power target and undervolting are 2 very different things. High power is not dangerous if voltage is low and thermal density is low.

The fix is more of a patch than a fix. Limit CPU 200mhz bellow stock and undervolt to the new limit. Vid request is gonna fall of a cliff.

Then adapt the power target for what your usage and cooling.

[-]

anon6_5@reddit

51.7% multi threaded improvement

11.3% single threaded improvement

If you update your bios the cpu shouldn’t destroy itself.