Best LGA 1151 CPU for Gaming

A socket is where you install your CPU on the motherboard and every socket has its own name. These socket names come from the number of pins they hold. LGA 1151 socket holds a total 1151 number of pins that act as contacts between itself and the processor. Not all CPUs can be compatible with this socket. Either its pins won’t fit or there will be no compatibility even if they fit. At present, this socket supports KabyLake, SkyLake, and Coffee Lake processors. You can choose the best LGA 1151 CPU especially for gaming from Intel’s 8th and 9th Gen CPUs. Because these processors are not only compatible with this socket but also ensure the overall best performance in terms of other work as well as gaming.

Building a gaming build does not always end up in a good way unless you go through researches, getting advice from experts, etc. There are lots of options as to how you are gonna build your PC. Do you want a budget build or high-end build, an AM3+ based build or LGA 1151 build, or even between Intel and AMD? You just need to make up your mind and go with the path till the end. When you are searching for the Intel LGA 1151 CPU, it is needless to say that your whole PC system will revolve mostly around this socket. Because an LGA 1151 socket CPU will need an LGA 1151 motherboard, not an 1155 motherboard or any other sockets.

We have already stated that the motherboard and the CPU have to be of the same socket type. It is a fact, though there are rarely any sockets that are compatible with another socket type. Another thing to be noted is, the LGA 1151 socket is completely owned by Intel which means you can not find an AMD motherboard that is compatible with LGA 1151 CPU. Because Intel and AMD use completely different socket types. Anyway, enough with this idle talk. We should get to the main point as to why we are here.

In this article, there will be some recommended CPUs with LGA 1151 sockets type that will be able to give a powerful and stable performance. We hope that you get the best Intel CPU for gaming through this LGA 1151 CPU list.

The Best 5 LGA 1151 CPUs for Gaming

Model	Cores / Threads	Core Clock / Boost Clock	Price
Intel I9 9900K	8/16	4/5GHz	Check Price
Intel I5 9600K	6/6	3.7/4.6GHz	Check Price
Intel I7 9700K	8/8	3.6/4.9GHz	Check Price
Intel I3 9100F	4/4	3.6/4.2GHz	Check Price
Intel I5 9400F	6/6	2.90/4.10GHz	Check Price

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Intel I9 9900K

Intel Core i9 9900K, one of the best i9 processors, is a powerhouse in terms of video rendering and gaming. This lGA 1151 processor is a beast for gaming and gives a top-end performance. Gamers and enthusiasts are appealed by its awesome performance and fast speed. Although it runs hot even without being overclocked, it still gives a better output. Also, it can easily clock to 5 GHz on all cores and it is good at multitasking too. The users were anyway satisfied with their purchase even though a couple of them faced few issues. The Core i9 9900K comes with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 that has 350 MHz of base frequency and 1.20 GHz of max dynamic frequency. Also, the max graphics video memory is 64GB.

In the Intel 9th Gen, it is the best CPU now. It is a competent CPU for 1080p gaming and it even works a few times faster than any average processor in this term. Besides these features, it also has one of the best clock speeds with a 5GHz boosted clock. It not only is awesome in 1080P but also is awesome in 1440p and 4K resolution. As the i9 9900K is the first-ever mainstream Intel i9 chip, it features strong cores and threads along with keeping the ability to boost more than a maximum clock speed of 5.0GHz. Furthermore, this processor is the king in terms of power between the i9 processors. You can easily clock all cores to 5 GHz. Just you have to have a decent cooler to outrun the heat this processor generates.

The Intel I9 9900K is especially for gamers and streamers. It is a great processor that runs super fast and is awesome. It offers one of the best gaming performances and fast speed as well. After using it, you can even say it is the world’s fastest gaming CPU. Also, it is good for multitasking. It is the fastest CPU for 1080P gaming in the market. However, it runs really hot and will not be able to give its all if you don’t provide an aftermarket cooler. Whether it is a decent-sized AIO water cooler, or a great Air cooler it is your choice. But make sure you have one of these. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to push this or overclock it.

Specification

CPU	Intel Core i9 9900K
Cores	8
Threads	16
Integrated Graphics	UHD 630
TDP Rating	95W
Base Clock	3.6GHz
Boost Clock	5GHz
Socket	LGA 1151

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: The Core i9 9900K features 8/16 core/threads, integrated UHD 630 graphics, and a total TDP of 95W. This processor has a 5 GHz of max Turbo Frequency and a base frequency of 3.60 GHz. Moreover, the lithography is 14nm manufacture, and the cache is of a total of 16MB. Along with 16 x PCIe 3.0 lanes, i9 9900K has 2 x DDR4 memory channels with 128 GB of memory and 41.6 Gb/s of max memory bandwidth.

Downsides: It easily gets hot and you have very little room for overclocking. It is also expensive. Though Intel claimed that I9 9900K is the world’s best gaming CPU, it really is not the case. It does not have any improved gaming design or power enchantments than the previous ones.

Final Thoughts

Intel Core i9 9900K is a great processor for both gaming and multitasking and you can’t deny it. No matter what, it is still one of the best i9 chip CPUs.

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Intel I5 9600K

This CPU is the best deal for its price. The impressive thing is it can easily handle the 4K resolution. It offers a surprising performance every time you use it. It caused no issues during the installation. You have to get an adequate cooling system and a reliable thermal paste application to avoid overheating issues. It is a good overclocker. The users were pretty content with the purchase for a budget price. This mid-range gaming CPU also comes with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 with 350 MHz base frequency, and 1.15 GHz of max dynamic frequency. This built-in graphics support 4K gaming and has 64GB of max graphics video memory.

Intel i5 9600K, also labeled as the best 1151 CPU, is a perfect gaming processor with no restriction in any games. With six strong cores, it gets the tweaking of the hardware to add a little better performance over time. It is a perfect definition of a mid-range gaming CPU. Also, it supports the Intel Optane memory and is based on the CoffeeLake architecture. It has an unlocked multiplier which makes it very easy to be overclocked. It offers more power and faster output compared to its predecessors. Moreover, it is a fact that this processor is the best gaming processor you can find. It is easily installable, fast, and most importantly reliable. You can even overclock it up to 5 GHz on all cores easily. However, it is fundamental to have an adequate cooling system.

The i5 9600K is specially made for gamers and streamers. Also, the overclock enthusiasts can rely on this one with a great performance. It provides the best gaming output and performance that the users were really hooked up with. The most important note is that you must pair this CPU with a Z-series motherboard for overclocking. Otherwise, it won’t give a satisfactory output.

Specification

CPU	Intel I5 9600K
Cores	6
Threads	6
Integrated Graphics	UHD 630
TDP Rating	95W
Base Clock	3.7GHz
Boost Clock	4.6GHz
Socket	LGA 1151

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: Intel Core i5 9600K comes with 6/6 core/threads, integrated UHD 630 graphics, and 95W of TDP. It features 4.60GHz max Turbo Frequency and the base frequency is of 3.70GHz. Also, the lithography is of 14nm manufacture, while the cache is 9MB. The Core i5 9600K comes with 16 x PCIe 3.0 lanes. This i5 9600K has 2 x DDR4 memory channels that support 128 GB of max memory, and 41.6 Gb/s of max memory bandwidth.

Downsides: The i5 9600K requires a Z-series motherboard for it to be overclocked. It also comes with no bundled cooler or heatsink.

Final Thoughts

Intel i5 9600K has lots of features and options along with the specialty of the best gaming performance and thus be the best CPU for LGA 1151. It is also pretty inexpensive.

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Intel I7 9700K

Intel Core i7 9700K is a fast, reliable, and cooler version of the previous i7 processor. Also, it can be easily overclocked without any issues. Most of the buyers were satisfied with its amazing performance while gaming. If you want a high-end performed yet less pricey CPU, then welcome this one into your list. It is super fast for your everyday work and gaming. It literally lives up to every game you want to play. However, you have to get a high-end air cooler as it runs very hot. It comes with UHD Graphics 630 that has 350 GHz of Base frequency and 1.20 GHz of max dynamic frequency. The max graphics video memory is 64GB and it also can support 4K easily. This CPU works great and is a beast in all aspects.

The i7 9700K is a perfect CPU for any kind of and high-end game. It has less power consumption than the i9 9900K. As a result of less power consumption, it remains cool to certain times if you have a decent air cooler. Also, it is of less price than the previous one. As a high-end and unlocked CPU, this one definitely is suitable. Its strong core and thread configuration is what we need for a no bottleneck performance. It is not only a beast for gaming but also is for other workloads. Intel CPUs are mostly great for their higher performances but it also is famous for its running hot feature. So make sure you have a good and decent aftermarket cooler to subdue the excessive heat.

Because of the performances and features, Core i7 9700K is one of the most preferred and appreciated CPUs in the market. This CPU’s base frequency is 350 MHz and the Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency (GMD frequency) is 1.20 GHz. Although it needs a small amount of power, it still can provide great output. It is clear that this processor is a beast for gaming with fast performance. The Core i7 9700K offers awesome and reliable performance gaming. However, it is a great one for everyday work also.

Specification

CPU	Intel I7 9700K
Cores	8
Threads	8
Integrated Graphics	UHD 630
TDP Rating	95W
Base Clock	3.6GHz
Boost Clock	4.90GHz
Socket	LGA 1151

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: Intel Core i7 9700K features 8/8 core/threads, integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics, and a total TDP of 95W. It has a 4.90GHz max Turbo Frequency and a base frequency of 3.60GHz. Also, the lithography is 14nm manufacture, and the cache is of a total of 12MB. Rather than 16 x PCIe 3.0 lanes, the i7 9700K has a maximum of 41.6 Gb/s of memory bandwidth.

Downsides: Even though this CPU runs hot, it doesn’t include any cooling fan or heatsink. Also, it has zero PCIe 4.0 support.

Final Thoughts

The Intel Core i7 9700K is less pricey with lots of great offers. It provides smooth, stable, and fast gaming and working performance.

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Intel I3 9100F

Intel Core i3 9100F is one of the cheapest intel gaming CPUs. It is also one of the best CPUs for WOW (World of Warcraft’s). Even without any integrated graphics, it does well with the separated GPU. As this is a turbo CPU, it will save up electricity while doing the low-priority workloads. It works fine and remains strong even after a time period. The users were really happy with their purchases. Because of the low cost with such great offers, this CPU won everyone’s heart. It provides decent outputs with almost every game yet needs a little pushing during some demanding games.

This processor comes at a super cheap price yet does outstanding performance. It is perfect for 1080p gaming and low to mid workloads. It comes four/four cores/threads with no integrated graphics. If you want a budget-friendly Intel processor, then look no more. It runs cool, offers awesome performance with only 4 cores, suitable for 1080p then it’s more than enough. It is cheap yet can give almost 90% performance of the 9900K. Those who have plans on getting a dedicated Graphics Card, surely you won’t regret getting this processor. Pairing with a compatible motherboard, you can boost up its performance even more.

As this is an article on CPUs for gaming, it is specific that this Intel processor rocks gaming performances. This LGA 1151 processor is capable of running most of the modern and popular games at a decent framerate and 1080p. Also, you will have to get a decent graphics card in order to start the system too since it comes with no integrated graphics.

Specification

CPU	Intel Core i3 9100F
Cores	4
Threads	4
Integrated Graphics	–
TDP Rating	65W
Base Clock	3.6GHz
Boost Clock	4.2GHz
Socket	LGA 1151

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: The i3 9100F comes with 4/4 core/threads and a total TDP of 65W. This CPU has a 4.20GHz max Turbo Frequency and a base frequency of 3.60GHz. Moreover, the lithography is of 14nm manufacture, the cache is 6MB, and 16 x PCIe 3.0 lanes. The Intel Core i3 9100F comes with 2 x DDR4 memory channels supporting up to 64 GB of max memory, and 37.5 Gb/s of max memory bandwidth.

Downsides: This CPU lacks integrated graphics. It’s operating frequency is also lower.

Final Thoughts

The Core i3 9100F has great value for its price with loads of features and options. It does a great job both in gaming and working.

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Intel I5 9400F

Intel Core i5 9400F comes with an awesome price point and power. It is easy to install. Since this one is locked, it can not be overclocked. You can call it the best budget LGA 1151 CPU. You will save a few bucks which you can spend on upgrading your other components. Moreover, the i5 9400F runs at only 65 watts which is why you don’t even need a double-wide radiator. It will be sufficient with a single radiator. The turbo boost goes up to 4 GHz during gaming and working. It is very strong and provides great performance for its price. It is really a perfect CPU for any mid-range gaming PC. Also, you can get inexpensive compatible parts with it that run awesome.

The Intel Core i5 9400F has an easy installation process and solid build. It has no room for overclocking yet it manages to provide a satisfactory output. It runs at 2.9 GHz but can turbo up to 4 GHz easily. After getting a compatible GPU, you will get to have a beautiful gaming performance. This small yet powerful CPU supports mostly AAA games and light productive works. Since there is no integrated graphics, it runs cool with 65 watts power design and offers energy-efficient computing also. It is one of the best values of its generation’s processors. Moreover, with six cores and threads, it manages to give a quick and superb single-threaded performance.

Though this little guy lacks in many ways, it still is on our best gaming CPU list for its amazing performance. Offering excellent mid-range gaming performance, the i5 9400F is affordable and also outputs some great scores in benchmarks. However, the overclock enthusiasts should scroll this down as it is not overclockable.

Specification

CPU	Intel Core i5 9400F
Cores	6
Threads	6
Integrated Graphics	–
TDP Rating	65W
Base Clock	2.9GHz
Boost Clock	4.1GHz
Socket	LGA 1151

Key Features & Downsides

Key Features: Intel Core i5 9400F holds 6 cores & 6 threads, and 65W TDP. Its max Turbo Frequency is 4.10 GHz and the base frequency is 2.90 GHz. The lithography is 14nm manufactured as always, and 9MB is cache. Other than 16 x PCIe 3.0 lanes, i5 9400F’s maximum memory bandwidth is 41.6 Gb/s. It supports DDR4-2666 and the max memory size is 128 GB.

Downsides: This processor doesn’t have any integrated graphics. Also, it does not support OC.

Final Thoughts

In spite of lacking in many aspects, it still managed to satisfy the buyers with its outstanding performance that is literally best with this price.

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Things to Consider before buying a CPU:

When someone wants to buy a CPU for his/her gaming rig, it is necessary to go through some important things. Since you will be spending quite a money (even most good budget CPUs are more than a hundred bucks), you should know what you are spending on. Cores & threads, amount of cache, socket compatibility, base & turbo clock speeds, thermal design power, and many other things are there that represent the CPUs value to us. Even going through the specification of a CPU will give you an idea about it. To make the best CPU for gaming or maybe the best budget gaming processor, make sure to check everything out before you make a purchase. Let us have a small discussion over how you should choose the right CPU.

Cores

Suppose, you bought a single-core CPU, all the data-handling works, multiple tasks sent to the processor will be on that single core’s shoulder. Since all the work will have to be done by that one processor, it is needless to say that it will take much time. There is a saying: “The quicker the job will get done; the more people that are involved in a job.†There are now multi-core CPUs that took over the market. Whether be it dual-core, quad-core, or even eight-core, they are better than Single-core. When there are multiple cores, all the processor works will be split between them which means the work will be fast and efficient.

However, remember that the processor will use the cores that the software runs. If the software only uses two cores of a quad-core CPU, the other two will remain unused. That’s why make sure to match the system requirements to avoid further unusability. Also, the CPU core has two different main types: The single-threaded CPU core and the hyper-threaded CPU core. The former type just focuses on only one order being remarkably efficient on that one task. The later type performs two sequences at a time and has awesome performances on multitasking.

Amount of Cache

The cache of a processor is like memory storage used for retrieval files used by the processor. Though the amount is really small, it is super fast and your computer can retrieve any files that remain there for a short period of time. If your processor’s amount of cache is large, you will have more storage to store more retrieval files there.

Socket Compatibility

One of the most important things to check is the socket type. The interface between the CPU and the motherboard is unleashed when both their socket are of the same type. Whether you buy the processor before motherboard or after, make sure they are compatible. Since this article is about the socket LGA 1151, we will take that as an example.

Assume that you bought a motherboard that is LGA 1151 ready. Then, your first and foremost work is to check the socket type of the CPU that you are trying to buy. If you buy an FM2+ CPU for that 1151 mobo, you are done for (unless you are lucky enough to refund the CPU).

Clock Speeds

The efficiency and the speediness of the CPU cores depending on the clock speed. If you have a single-threaded dual-core processor, your clock speed should be high enough for fast and stable performance on a single task. However, for a hyper-threaded quad-core/eight-core processor, the clock speed should be low. That way, the processor will be able to multitask opening tons of tasks. However, the speed of the work will become really low. So try to make your clock speed option goal high for faster and better working.

Thermal Design Power

The Thermal Design Power mostly known as TDP refers to how much heat your processor will give off. Every processor generates heat since they also consume power. TDP amount will let you have an idea of the amount of heat. Whether you have bought the cooler before or not, let’s just try to make both of them compatible. Since not every processor comes with a stock cooler, you will need to buy a decent one. If your cooler fails to cool the system from the heat of the processor, your system’s longevity will drop to zero-day by day.

Integrated Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

Integrated GPU has become a necessary feature for many users. And, most of the processors come with integrated graphics nowadays and the price also becomes heavier if it is in. It is true that you can not use a computer without a GPU. If you use your computer for intensive gaming, or graphics work, video editing, etc then integrated graphics will not be able to carry out the performances. Rather than having a processor with integrated graphics, you should go with a non-one. Whether or not, you will have to buy an additional one of course. However, if there is nothing like intensive gaming or that sort of thing, you can go with a processor that has a good integrated GPU.

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LGA 1151 CPU List

CPU	Cores / Threads	Core Clock / Boost Clock	Cache Memory	TDP	Code Name
Core i9-9900KS	8/16	4/5 GHz	16 MB	127 W	CoffeeLake
Xeon E-2288G	8/16	3.7/5 GHz	16 MB	95 W	CoffeeLake
Core i9-9900K	8/16	3.6/5 GHz	16 MB	95 W	CoffeeLake
Core i9-9900KF	8/16	3.6/5 GHz	16 MB	95 W	CoffeeLake
Core i9-9900	8/16	3.1/5 GHz	16 MB	65 W	CoffeeLake
Core i9-9900T	8/16	2.1/4.4 GHz	16 MB	35 W	CoffeeLake
XeonE-2278GEL	8/16	2/3.9 GHz	16 MB	35 W	CoffeeLake
Core i7-9700K	8	3.6/4.9 GHz	12 MB	95 W	CoffeeLake
Core i7-9700KF	8	3.6/4.9 GHz	12 MB	95 W	CoffeeLake
Core i7-9700F	8	3/4.7 GHz	12 MB	65 W	CoffeeLake
–	–	–	–	–	–
Core i7-7700K	4/8	4.2/4.5 GHz	8 MB	93 W	KabyLake
Core i7-6700K	4/8	4/4.2 GHz	8 MB	91 W	Skylake
Xeon E3-1280 v6	4/8	3.9/4.2 GHz	8 MB	72 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1275 v6	4/8	3.8/4.2 GHz	8 MB	73 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1270 v6	4/8	3.8/4.2 GHz	8 MB	72 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1245 v6	4/8	3.7/4.1 GHz	8 MB	73 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1240 v6	4/8	3.7/4.1 GHz	8 MB	72 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1280 v5	4/8	3.7/4 GHz	8 MB	80 W	SkyLake
Core i7-7700	4/8	3.6/4.2 GHz	8 MB	65 W	KabyLake
Xeon E3-1270 v5	4/8	3.6/4 GHz	8 MB	80 W	SkyLake

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Closing Thought

Though we have included different steps on how to buy a CPU and discussed the best LGA 1151 CPUs here, it is still up to you for buying one. Among lots of LGA 1151 processors out there, we would recommend you to choose one of those five CPUs for gaming. They have great potential and offer their best compared to their prices. We hope that your buying journey becomes successful with the best one. If there are any topics we missed out on or made a mistake on, please let us know through your comment or kindly contact us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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