Intel’s Core i5-13600K has been a competitive processor since it launched last year, with speedy performance for an on-point price in its class. The chip has done so well that it appears Intel thought it would be smart to practically re-release that processor as the Intel Core i5-14600K. This 14th Gen refresh of the processor does come with a few advantages, including a marginally higher clock speed and a $10 lower MSRP of $319, but is it the best gaming chip of 2023 or just the same old chip with a new coat of paint? In truth, it’s the latter, except Intel didn’t even spring for the high-gloss stuff. We stand by our recommendation of the Core i5-13600K instead.Design: Intel's Accidental Identical Twins Saying that Intel's Core i5-14600K and the Intel Core i5-13600K are the same chip is true in almost every detail including their use of the 13th Gen "Raptor Lake" architecture. Both chips ship with six high-speed Performance cores and eight power-sipping Efficient cores. They also ...

The Intel Core i5-14600K is near-indistinguishable from the Core i5-13600K in benchmark results. It's a fine-performing processor in its price class, but we see little reason to buy it if the 13th Gen model is available for less.