Best LGA 1151 CPU

CPUs have to slot into the motherboard somehow, right? Well, AMD usually uses sockets where the CPU actually plugs in. But Intel takes a different approach. Rather than having pins on the CPU itself, Intel sockets have all the pins. They call it LGA, which stands for “land grid array.” Basically, the CPU just chucks itself on top of the socket. A super common Intel socket is LGA 1151. The number at the end means there are 1151 little pins in the socket that the CPU rests on. As long as both the CPU and motherboard support that 1151 type, they’ll be able to grip each other.

It works because the bottom of the CPU has, like, a grid of contact pads. Those just tap into the socket pins below to allow the electricity to flow between the two. As long as the number of contact pads on the CPU matches the pins in the socket, they’ll handshake perfectly. It’s kind of an odd way Intel does it compared to AMD.

We’ve got to find a CPU that fits in that LGA 1151 socket of yours. But it can’t just fit—we want something that really cranks too, right? Well, good news! I’ve done some research on LGA 1151 CPUs and put together this guide to give you some options. Now, picking the best one can definitely take some time since there are a few factors to consider. First up, let me show you a few CPUs that will definitely fit since they match the 1151 socket. I’ll go over the specs and performance of each. Then, at the end, I included a quick buyer’s guide to help explain some important things to pay attention to, like cores and threads, clock speeds, cache sizes, etc.

My advice would be to have a look through the CPUs I listed and see which ones suit what you need power-wise within your budget. Use the buyer’s guide to understand what everything means. With any luck, after reading through this, you’ll have a much better idea of the perfect LGA 1151 CPU for your needs!

Quick Shopping Tips

Before you pull the trigger on a new CPU, you’ve got to make sure it’ll work with your whole system. Here are the main things to check:

• Socket: Is your motherboard LGA 1151? Then you’ll want a CPU with the same socket so they fit together like puzzle pieces.
• Cache: Cache is always good to have: Most CPUs these days have at least 8 GB, which should keep things feelin’ quick.
• Clock speed: More GHz means more performance. I’d aim for a minimum of 3 GHz, but higher is better if you can.
• Overclocking: Can you push it past stock speeds for extra juice? Check its headroom and make sure your mobo plays nice with overclocking too.
• Cooling is clutch too: If you want to really squeeze out every last bit of power, an AIO liquid cooler is best. An air cooler should do the trick; otherwise, also make sure your PSU can handle it if you go for a power-hungry chip. Follow those guidelines, and your CPU should vibe perfectly with the rest of your setup.

The Best LGA 1151 CPU You Can Buy Today

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Intel Core i9-9900K

Best Overall LGA 1151 CPU

Brand: Intel | Series/Family: 9th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors | Lithography: 14nm | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Cache: 16MB Intel Smart Cache | Hyper-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Socket: LGA1151 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 5.0GHz | Rated TDP: 95W | Bundled cooler: No

REASONS TO BUY

✓Responsive and powerful

✓Optane memory and turbo technology

✓Pre-integrated GPU

✓Best gaming CPU

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Expensive

✗Need a stock cooler

The i9-9900K is definitely one beast of a processor. All the tech experts agree this thing is a powerhouse, especially for serious gaming and content creation. It’s got eight screaming-fast cores and 16 threads that crush any task you throw at it. Plus, the boost clocks can hit 5 GHz, which is just nuts. No problem there. Being able to handle tons of multi-threaded work easily is huge too. Whether you’re editing high-res videos or developing a 3D world, it eats that stuff up for breakfast. Specs are top-notch all around with the massive 16MB cache, support for new PCIe lanes, and even Optane memory if you want super-fast SSD speeds.

It brings the heat when pushed, for sure, at 95W, so definitely pair it with a nice aftermarket cooler. But that’s worth it for the best performance you get in return. At the end of the day, this thing truly demolishes pretty much anything you can put in front of it. If you do serious work or play competitive games, the 9900K is going to serve you very well for years to come.

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Intel Core i7-9700K

Best Flagship LGA 1151 CPU

Brand: Intel | Series/Family: 9th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors | Lithography: 14nm | Cores: 8 | Threads: 8 | Cache: 12MB Intel Smart Cache | Hyper-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Socket: LGA1151 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4.9GHz | Rated TDP: 95W | Bundled cooler: No

REASONS TO BUY

✓UHD Graphics 630

✓Effective thermal design

✓Good overclocking

✓Stunning single-core performance

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No Hyperthreading

✗A bit slow multicore performance

The i7-9700K is a seriously sweet gaming CPU. Even though it’s cheaper than some others, it still packs a serious punch. You don’t need to break the bank on an expensive mobo or cooler either, which is a big plus. And hey, who doesn’t love saving some cash, right? Where this thing really shines is its single-core speed; it can boost up to nearly 5 GHz, which is excellent. There is no problem crushing any game you throw at it. Multi-tasking is also a breeze with eight powerful cores gobbling up work. The thermals are staying nice and chill too, thanks to Intel’s dope cooling design.

Specs are nice all-round, like the 12MB cache and support for new standards. And hey, its performance even beats some Ryzen CPUs for gaming, which is saying something. If you’re into serious gaming and want strong single-core muscle, the 9700K is a killer choice. Just pair it with a good aftermarket cooler since it comes naked. Overall, amazing price to performance and a CPU that’ll serve you very well for years. Hard to beat for the money, IMO.

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Intel Core i3 9100F

Best Affordable LGA 1151 CPU

Brand: Intel | Series/Family: 9th Generation Intel Core i3 Processors | Lithography: 14nm | Cores: 4 | Threads: 4 | Cache: 6MB Intel Smart Cache | Hyper-Threading: No | Unlocked Multiplier: No | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: LGA1151 | Base clock: 3.6GHz | Boost clock: 4.2GHz | Rated TDP: 95W | Bundled cooler: No

REASONS TO BUY

✓Economical

✓Decent single-core performance

✓Suitable for low profile tasks

✓It comes with a cooler

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No graphics cards

The i3-9100F is a really budget-friendly LGA 1151 CPU that’ll handle basic tasks without breaking the bank. It only has 4 cores and 4 threads, so don’t expect it to crush super-demanding work. But for light gaming, browsing, and daily use, it’s perfectly fine. Clock speeds aren’t anything at 3.6 GHz, but you can boost them up a bit to 4.2 GHz if needed. Single-core performance is decent for the price. Multi-tasking might make it sweat a bit since it lacks those extra cores. But as long as you’re not trying to render videos or anything intense, it’ll handle light multitasking, okay?

The best part is that it comes with a stock cooler out of the box too, so there are no extra costs there. Just know the integrated graphics are MIA; you’ll need a dedicated graphics card. The only real potential issue is making sure your motherboard BIOS is up-to-date to recognize it. But any tech-savvy friend can help with that if needed. Overall, for a super affordable chip just for basic tasks, the i3-9100F is a solid choice on a strict budget. Just don’t expect much beyond essential home or office use.

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Intel Core i5 9600K

Best Budget Gaming LGA 1151 CPU

REASONS TO BUY

✓Good single core

✓Good for gaming

✓Pocket friendly

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No hyperthreading

✗Not made for heavy loads

The i5-9600K is a solid gaming CPU that really punches above its weight class thanks to an affordable price tag. It may only have 6 cores and 6 threads with no hyperthreading, but that’s perfectly fine for gaming without breaking the bank. Just don’t expect it to handle super-intense multi-tasking workloads very well. Where it really shines is clock speeds; it can turbo boost up to a 4.6 GHz, which is no joke for the money. Pair it with a good cooler and motherboard, and you’re golden. Gaming performance is top-notch thanks to that speed. You’ll get buttery smooth frames even in demanding titles. Specs like the 9MB cache and DDR4 support keep things feeling quick too.

Of course, it lacks integrated graphics, so you’ll need a dedicated GPU. But if smooth gaming without emptying your wallet is the goal, the 9600K delivers, for sure. Just know you may hit limits if you try to do tons of streaming, video editing, etc. at once. But purely for gaming, this CPU is an awesome choice at a very affordable price point.

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Intel Core i5-9400F

Best mid range LGA 1151 CPU

Brand: Intel | Series/Family: 9th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors | Lithography: 14nm | Cores: 6 | Threads: 6 | Cache: 9MB Intel Smart Cache | Hyper-Threading: No | Unlocked Multiplier: No | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Socket: LGA1151 | Base clock: 2.9GHz | Boost clock: 4.1GHz | Rated TDP: 65W | Bundled cooler: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

✓Affordable price

✓Power efficient

✓Leading gaming performance

✓Great value for the money

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Locked processor

✗No PCIe 4.0 support

✗No integrated graphics

The i5-9400F is a step up from the i3 if you want a bit more power without completely breaking the bank. It brings 6 cores and 6 threads to the table, but sadly, there are no integrated graphics or overclocking since the multiplier is locked. You’ll need a dedicated GPU. Clock speeds are decent, though, starting at 2.9 GHz base up to a 4.1 GHz boost if needed. The 9MB cache keeps things feeling quick too. Performance-wise, it can handle most newer games at 1080p pretty well, depending on your graphics card. Think 60-80+ FPS in AAA titles.

The specs are good overall for a mid-range CPU. The 65W TDP is also efficient. One downside is using PCIe 3.0 instead of the newer 4.0 standard. If you want a modest all-rounder for gaming and basic tasks without spending too much, this i5 fits the bill nicely against competing Ryzen chips. Just know its limits too.

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Intel Core i7-6700K

Best Premium LGA 1151 CPU

Brand: Intel | Series/Family: 6th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors | Lithography: 14nm | Cores: 4 | Threads: 8 | Cache: 12MB Intel Smart Cache | Hyper-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 530 | Socket: LGA1151 | Base clock: 4.0GHz | Boost clock: 4.2GHz | Rated TDP: 91W | Bundled cooler: No

REASONS TO BUY

✓Easy to set up and use

✓Fastest and smart performance

✓Overclock up to 4.6GHz

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Expensive

✗We need a new motherboard and cooler

The i7-6700K is a solid gaming CPU that still holds up today thanks to its quick speeds and overclocking potential. Gamers love how easy it is to install and use—no messing around is needed. And the performance it brings really shines, letting you max out games without breaking a sweat. You’re getting 4 physical cores with 8 hyperthreaded logical ones to handle all kinds of tasks. Plus, top-notch single-core speeds of 4 GHz stock up to 4.6 GHz when boosted. While the 8MB cache is a tad small nowadays, cool temperatures from a water cooler let you really squeeze out its power.

Specs like DDR4 support and the lower 91W TDP run nice and efficiently too. Integrated graphics are there if you need a basic display as well. Overall, the 6700K brings very reliable performance at a great value nowadays. Just be aware that it doesn’t bundle a stock cooler. But if you can provide adequate cooling, this CPU continues to deliver awesome gaming chops even today.

Conclusion

Choosing a CPU for your LGA 1151 socket isn’t always straightforward. There are tons of options to sort through. But no worries—I’ve done the legwork, checking out five different chips. Let me run down our top picks real quick: For pure power, the i9-9900K takes the cake. This thing is an absolute beast, crushing games and content creation with ease. Best of the best. On a budget? The i5-9600K is killer value, giving you top-notch gaming speeds without breaking the bank. Awesome all-arounder.

I analyzed specs, features, and prices to find the best fit. If those don’t suit your needs 100%, check out the other CPUs I reviewed in the full breakdown. Most importantly, think about what you’ll use it for: games. livestreaming?—and get a chip that matches your goals.