The Intel Core i9-10900K CPU is a great CPU for a home motherboard that you need a fast CPU for. The CPU itself uses a LGA 1200 socket, has 10 cores and 20 threads, has a base clock speed of 3.7 GHZ, and a turbo of 5.3 GHz. Due to this specific CPU being an older model from Intel, it’s a little pricier ($519.12 as of 2/4/26) and is a little harder to find due to the fact that they quit making certain CPU types after awhile.

The specific motherboard I selected for this CPU was the MAG B460 Tomahawk (shown below) from the manufacturer MSI. It’s form factor is an ATX, it supports dual channel, and non-ECC, unbuffered memory. It has 6 SATA ports and 2 M.2 slots, has one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 slot, and 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots.

Besides the higher end price for this specific CPU, it is one of the faster CPUs that you can use for that specific motherboard. PassMark gave this CPU a rating of 22,359 for the multi-thread, and a rating of 3,111 for the single thread. It is a really nice CPU that you can use if you want your PC to run fast.

List of complete Specs for the Intel Core i9-10900K are as follows:

Class: Desktop

Socket: FCLGA1200

Clockspeed: 3.7 GHz

Turbo Speed: 5.3 GHz

Cores: 10 Threads: 20

Typical TDP: 125 W

Cache per CPU Package:
L1 Instruction Cache: 10 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 10 x 32 KB
L2 Cache: 10 x 256 KB
L3 Cache: 20 MB

NOTE: This review is part of a classroom project.

Resources:

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i9-10900K+%40+3.70GHz&id=3730

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i9-10900K+%40+3.70GHz&id=3730

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B460-TOMAHAWK/Specification

My Build: Intel Core i7-14600KF on a GIGABYTE B660 DS3H

I recently picked up a GIGABYTE B660 DS3H motherboard refurbished on Amazon for just $89, and it’s been a rock-solid foundation for my high-performance PC. This board uses the Intel B660 chipset, offers dual-channel memory support, multiple high-speed PCIe 4.0 M.2 and SATA storage lanes, robust networking (including Gigabit LAN and USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C), and easy BIOS tools like Q-Flash Plus so you can update firmware without a CPU installed — a huge plus for compatibility upgrades

The Heart of the System — Intel Core i7-14600KF

Let me tell you, I absolutely love the performance I’m getting out of this CPU. It’s a powerhouse for both gaming and productivity, and paired with my Cooler Master 240 Elite Liquid CPU Liquid Cooler (scored for $40 on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/397411226112), temperatures stay well under control even under heavy loads.

 Intel Core i7-14600KF — Specs (14th Gen Intel)

• Socket: LGA 1700
• Cores/Threads: 20 total (8 Performance + 12 Efficiency)
• Max Turbo Boost: Up to ~5.6 GHz
• Cache: 33 MB Intel Smart Cache
• Memory Support: DDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600 (dual-channel)
• PCIe Support: PCIe 5.0 & 4.0
• Unlocked for overclocking
• No integrated graphics (requires discrete GPU)

Reviews & Benchmarks

For in-depth community and expert perspectives, check out these review hubs:

• 🔗 Newegg Reviews – User-submitted performance and real-world impressions
  https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-14th-gen-core-i7-14700kf-raptor-lake-lga-1700-desktop-cpu-processor/p/N82E16819118468

• 📊 Technical Specs & Comparison Info – Official Intel specs, core counts & boost frequencies
  https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/236789/intel-core-i7-processor-14700kf-33m-cache-up-to-5-60-ghz/specifications.html

My Thoughts

This is a GREAT CPU and is well worth the $199 that it cost me!  The negatives on this CPU (from reviews) all seem to be related to improper cooling.  The $40 water cooler I installed is keeping it ~ 38C and I am having no issues at all.  My games load WAY faster!  I do hear the water cooler fans spool up occasionally under heavy loads, but that is what I got it for.  I would HIGHLY recommend this CPU to any gamer.

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

References:

https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/B660-DS3H-rev-10https://www.amazon.com/https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/236787/intel-core-i7-14600kf-processor-24m-cache-up-to-5-60-ghz/specifications.htmlhttps://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-14th-gen-core-i7-14600kf/p/N82E16819118473https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-14th-gen-core-i7-14600kf/p/N82E16819118473#Reviewshttps://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-i7-14600k/https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-14600k-reviewhttps://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-14600KFhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/397411226112

The Ryzen 5 5600 is an amazing budget CPU from AMD. It offers a 6-core 12-thread processor, it base clocks at 3.5 GHz and overclocks up to 4.4 GHz. It is priced at $193.78 on Amazon (as of 2/4/26). This CPU uses an AM4 socket type, which is not the current one, and is not as fast as the AM5. Additionally, it may experience issues updating the BIOS and other motherboard components, simply because it is an older motherboard model, because of the AM4 socket. The other issue is the fact that if any of the pins of the CPU get damaged or bent, the entire CPU is ruined. 

Even though there may be Issues with the motherboard and how careful you have to be with the CPU, it is still a great budget-friendly option, and Passmark shows it with a single thread rating of 3257 and a multi of 21545, which is not bad at all for the price tag that this CPU has.

Specs of Ryzen 5 5600

***Please note that this is for a school project.***

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800x3d is an absolute beast of a CPU. using this CPU is like opening doors as the hulk, its effortless and almost feels like overkill.

Gaming: this CPU is amazing for games, including  games that are notorious for being insanely demanding, and it runs well on even the higher graphic options like a hot knife through butter. The load time on this thing is almost non-existent, the 3D V-Cache tech this was absolutely worth it.

Cooling and Efficiency: the AMD RYZEN 7 9800X3D is cool as ice, and stays that way through even the most grueling of tasks, like heavy games or rendering things. For how much of a beast this CPU is, its temperatures stay down and the power usage is surprisingly low as well.

Compatibility: Any am5 motherboard is compatible, although you may need to do a BIOS update.

Overclocking: Its normal performance is already more than enough for most things but even then the overclocking on this thing is  superb.

final thoughts: i think this would be a fine addition to your pc build if you are a gamer, animator, or just want a beefy CPU for whatever reason.

Prices:

amazon, $569.59

new egg, $599.00

[this is a class project]

CPUBenchmark.net. (n.d.). AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D benchmarks. CPU Benchmark. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+7+9800X3D&id=6344

Newegg. (n.d.). AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Ryzen 7 9000 Series Granite Ridge Zen 5 Socket AM5 Processor. Newegg. https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-ryzen-7-9000-series-granite-ridge-zen-5-socket-am5-processor/p/N82E16819113877

Amazon. (n.d.). AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 16-Thread Desktop Processor. Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://www.amazon.com/AMD-9800X3D-16-Thread-Desktop-Processor/dp/B0DKFMSMYK

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a high-performance CPU that is both reliable and fast. You can purchase this CPU for only $119.89. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it offers quick response times, making it easy to run multiple windows and tabs simultaneously. It performs exceptionally well for gaming and other high-performance tasks. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has received excellent reviews, and very few users have had negative feedback about it. Overall, it comes highly recommended. Users have expressed numerous positive opinions regarding the performance of this processor. With its reasonable price, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is definitely worth the investment

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a high-performance CPU known for its reliability and speed, making it an excellent choice for gamers and content creators. Priced at just $119.89, it features 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling quick response times and seamless multitasking with multiple windows and tabs.

Key Features:

-Cores/Threads**: 6 Cores, 12 Threads

-Performance: Excels in gaming and high-performance tasks.

With its impressive performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has garnered outstanding reviews, with very few users reporting negative experiences. Many users have expressed their satisfaction, highlighting its exceptional performance in gaming and demanding applications. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X comes highly recommended due to its excellent performance and reasonable price. It’s an investment worth making for those looking to upgrade their system without breaking the bank.

(note this is part of a school project)

Intel Core i9-12900KF Gaming Desktop Processor 16 (8P+8E) Cores up to 5.2 GHz Unlocked LGA1700 600 Series Chipset 125W. the $250.00



Intel Core i9-12900KF Gaming Desktop is good. Please, games are very good. It runs Steam and siege like no problem.

 just Amazon does not deliver correctly 

The CPU in question is a high end CPU that has 20 cores and 20 threads. It has great CPU performance for gaming at a single thread rating of 4899 according to the Pass Mark CPU Benchmark. If it is paired with a video card then it is and amazing CPU for gaming. It is a high end chip that is made for gaming. It has 12 efficient cores and threads which run at 3.3 GHz or 4.6 GHz turbo. It also has 8 performance cores and threads which run at 3.9 GHz or 5.5 GHz turbo. Its CPU L1 cache is 8 x 48 KB, L2 cache is a 8 x 3072 KB, and the L3 cache is a staggering 30 MB.

It is a bit of a hefty price at $339.99. However for the price it is at a very good value. Amazon even has a rating of 4.3/5. I think this is a great CPU for gaming. For business it may be a bit expensive but it would still offer great performance. It is at good value so you would get more bang for your buck and overall performance.

THIS WAS FOR A STUDENT PROJECT.

Sources used:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-Ultra-Processor-265KF/dp/B0DFK2WHF8

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+Ultra+7+265KF&id=6338

This is the Ryzen 5 5600 CPU.  it fits with 3rd gen AM4 sockets and was made in 2020. 4 years later does this CPU stand the test of time? Well allow me to explain my experience with the Ryzen 5 5600 in 2025.

First off, getting the product was very easy and the price is very low and because of such we not expecting much. 93 bucks for a CPU is absurdly low in this age of computers, most of the time CPUs can go as high as 300, 400, 500, and god forbid 600. enough rambling lets get to the putting this CPU to use.

Running the benchmark test shows us that this CPU is capable of running pretty high end games for its price. its benchmark ended up very fast. it is faster then the Ryzen 7 Pro 4750G and costs less then a third of its price. overall we are impressed with this CPU.

This CPU has 6 cores and 12 threads and a bunch of other stuff that you can read by clicking here or here to buy the product. click the image to also see the benchmark.

Note: this is a classroom project

my sources:

If you don’t know anything about computers, you’d think over a hundred dollars was expensive for a CPU. You’d be wrong, considering most gamers spend $200-$250 on a singular CPU. However, getting a good deal on something doesn’t always constitute buying it. So, should you buy the  AMD Ryzen 5 8400F? I’d argue, yes!

So, why should you consider buying it? It’s an excellent value for its price of $149, with it rating the third highest on CPUBenchmark’s CPU value board for that price range. It has a benchmark rating of 163.05. While it may not be the best for high-end gaming, it’s a perfect CPU for home use and hobby gamers. It has no onboard graphics, but I believe that’s for the best.

Now, how about my experience with it? It was way better than what nerds on Reddit say the CPU is like. It’s lack of onboard graphics may be bad for those without a graphics card, but I tested it out with a high end one. Goodness, it was perfect. Call me a glazer all you want, I loved it. My only issue is it’s low cache, but that’s to be expected with the price. It’s the perfect CPU if you’re on a budget like me, and don’t wanna buy a Ryzen 5 7500f off of AliExpress.

References:
○ Amazon

○ CPUBenchmark

○ Newegg

○ AMD Store

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

The Intel Ultra 9 285K works hard like many of us do. While it is pricey, sitting at a cool $599.99, when it comes to high-end processes, none can compare. The Ultra 9 has 24 total cores, 8 performance, and 16 Efficient. It also boasts 24 threads to complement these cores. The 36MB cache also lends well to its high performance. 

While its work and all-around performance are fantastic, it falls short compared to its predecessors and rivals in gaming. It still boasts high performance on lower-end setups but is worse off than any i9 series processor when it comes to gaming.  This isn’t to say that the CPU is bad when it comes to gaming, it simply just doesn’t give that extra boost and has a lesser focus on gaming compared to former CPU’s. Techpowerup has a further analysis on its specific functions and its make.

User feedback highlights these qualities.  Many buyers are happy with its overall performance and its effectiveness at processor-heavy tasks but come away disappointed in its gaming functionality, especially since it is advertised as a high-end gaming CPU.  Many customers recommend it, with reviews being mostly in the 5-star region, with about 10% putting a 1-star. Most of these 1-star reviews come from people whose CPU was damaged when delivered, or it simply didn’t do what they thought it should have done.

Overall, I would highly recommend this product. It performs very well in my own tests, and even if it isn’t up to scratch when it comes to its gaming functions, it will still perform better than most cheaper options. It’s high suitability for productive tasks makes me give it a 4.7 out of 5 stars.

For more details on specifications visit a CPU benchmark website like passmark linked here

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

References:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-Ultra-Processor-285K/dp/B0DFKC99VL

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/241060/intel-core-ultra-9-processor-285k-36m-cache-up-to-5-70-ghz/specifications.html

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-ultra-9-285k/

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-ultra-9-285k-arrow-lake-lga-1851-processor/p/N82E16819118505