Best LGA 1150 CPU in 2022
With Intel switching up socket compatibility for their CPUs almost every single generation, it can be hard to keep up with which hardware can be paired. It’s not particularly Intel being fickle for the sake of it. Unlike AMD who integrates much of the chipset functionality into their dies, Intel’s tech is almost completely reliant on the motherboard itself, which means each time they make alterations to improve CPU performance, motherboards must evolve to accommodate them.
This is just the way Intel has always done things. It can be infuriating at times, especially as tech moves so fast. You save for years for some hardware, and in the blink of an eye, it’s superseded by newer models; however, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with other compatibles. So, if you’re ready for a new CPU, but you’re perfectly happy keeping your LGA 1150 motherboard, let’s consider your options.
Products at a Glance
Best LGA 1150 CPU in 2022
- High powered quad-core processor
- Hyperthreading gives you 8 threads
- Fantastic clock speeds
- Plenty of thermal headroom for overclocking
- It’s quite pricey for an older CPU
- Powerful quad-core processor
- 8 threads handle multitasking really well
- Versatile - great for gaming and work
- Fantastic price
- Slower clock speeds
- Great price
- 32GB memory
- Hyperthreaded for effective multitasking
- 3.9GHz Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- Slower clock speeds
- May bottleneck higher-end GPUs
- Awesome price tag
- ECC memory support
- Boosted clock speeds are right in the sweet spot for gaming
- Very energy-efficient
- Base clock is a little low for modern gaming
- No integrated Intel graphics facilities
- Awesome clock speeds for this price
- Amazing value for money
- Single-core functionality offers great gaming performance
- 3.5 - 3.9GHz clock speeds
- No hyperthreading. Poor for multitasking
- Not future-proofed by any measure
Our Verdict
As you can see from this list, there’s no need to upgrade to a newer motherboard just yet, as any of these CPUs are capable of some surprisingly immersive gaming experiences. Maybe in the next couple of years, you’ll have to bite the bullet and payout, but you’ll have the chance to save up a decent budget before that day arrives.
For maximum gaming power, there’s no question that the i7-4790K is the way to go. It has the highest clock speeds and, mixed with those hyperthreaded cores, is capable of great things. It also offers the most future-proofing, so if you’re planning to ride your motherboard out to the bitter end, the K-model CPU will prolong the inevitable and give you a few more years of LGA 1150 glory.
If you don’t wish to pay that 4790K premium, the logical route is to drop the ‘K’ and get the i7-4790. The difference in performance will be minimal, and if you have a Z87 or Z97, you can overclock your way to K-level performance.
If you wish to go even cheaper, the i7-4770 or the Xeon won’t disappoint, but if gaming is all you have planned for this build, save some money and go with the single-core i5-4690.