Best LGA 1150 CPU in 2024 [Socket 1150 / Socket H3 / Socket LGA1150]

Each motherboard has a specific socket, which allows the CPU to be compatible with that socket to fit in. If your CPU and motherboard do not match, you will have to upgrade your motherboard.

The best CPU manufacturers are, without a doubt, Intel and AMD.

The LGA 1150 CPU fits into older motherboards as we have the LGA 1151, LGA 1155, and LGA 1200, which are the latest socket types. Although there are better versions of sockets and CPUs available now, the LGA 1150 CPUs are still considered great for gaming and other tasks.

Although the LGA 1150 socket is quite old now, it still has great demand, and people continue to buy it. The choice you are going to make depends entirely on what your requirements are.

If you want the best LGA 1150 CPU, then the Core i7-4790K is your best choice, known to be the fastest LGA 1150 CPU .

But if you are on a budget and have no high aims for your CPU, then you can easily settle for the other CPUs, whichever fits your needs. All of them have their pros and cons, and it is entirely up to you to decide which one you will be going with.

We have prepared an in-depth review of some of the best of Intel’s LGA 1150 CPUs available on the market. So without further ado, let’s get started.

What LGA 1150 Is?

The LGA 1150, also known as the H3 socket, is a socket type that was released for the Haswell and Broadwell generations of processors. The processors that were compatible with this socket were mainly from the 4^th or 5^th generation.

The number “1150” in the LGA 1150 describes the number of pins or contact points present on the motherboard, which must match those points present on the processor.

The LGA 1150 CPU will only be compatible with a motherboard containing the LGA 1151 socket type. Below we have reviewed some of the best LGA 1150 CPUs available.

LGA 1150 CPU List

The following passage contains the reviews, specs, and features of some of the best LGA 1150 CPUs on the market.

LGA 1155 CPUs	Features	Price
Intel Core i7-4790	Cores: 4 Threads: 8 Base Clock: 3.6 GHz TBT: 4 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i7-4790K	Cores: 4 Threads: 8 Base Clock: 4.0 GHz TBT: 4.4 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i7-4770K	Cores: 4 Threads: 8 Base Clock: 3.5 GHz TBT: 3.9 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i5-4690K	Cores: 4 Threads: 4 Base Clock: 3.50 GHz TBT: 3.90 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i5-4460	Cores: 4 Threads: 4 Base Clock: 3.20 GHz TBT: 3.40 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i5-4590	Cores: 4 Threads: 4 Base Clock: 3.30 GHz TBT: 3.60 GHz	Check Price
Intel Core i5-4430	Cores: 4 Threads: 4 Base Clock: 3.0 GHz TBT: 3.20 GHz	Check Price

1. Intel Core i7-4790

The Intel Core i7-4790 is a high-end processor that is compatible with the LGA 1150 socket. This is a powerful processor providing all the good features to give you outstanding performance. Although the i7-4790K is a better version of this processor, the i7-4790 is more budget-friendly and gives you optimum gaming performance. This processor uses Haswell Architecture.

This processor is loaded with four cores and eight threads, just like the Intel Core i7-4790K. The four cores give you great gaming performance. It is also a multi-threaded processor and can handle multi-threaded tasks with ease, such as video editing, content creation, and so much more.

The Intel Core i7-4790 has a baseline clock frequency of 3.60 GHz, with an attainable maximum turbo boost frequency of about 4.00 GHz. A downside to this is that the processor is not unlocked for overclocking, so you will have to make peace with the maximum 4.00 GHz frequency.

The processor also has 8 MB of Intel Smart Cache and has a TDP of 84 W. It comes with an integrated graphics card, but those graphics are just not up to the mark, so if you want the best graphics, you will have to equip yourself with a great graphic card. Other than that, the CPU also comes with a stock cooler, which gets the cooling job done. Overall, the Intel Core i7-4790 is a great CPU.

2. Intel Core i7-4790K

The Intel Core i7-4790K is a high-end LGA 1150 processor with significant improvements compared to the previous year’s 4770K CPU. It belongs to the Haswell-based architecture. If you consider the CPUs available in the LGA 1150 lineup, this processor is a beast and is the best one on the list. Although this processor was launched back in 2014, it is still used by gamers who belong to the mid-tier.

The processor comes with four cores, with the single cores giving outstanding gaming performance. However, it also has eight threads, so multi-threading allows you to smoothly perform multitasking or activities based on multiple threads, such as content creation, etc. So, it is excellent at handling both gaming and multitasking.

The processor has improved clock speeds with a base clock frequency of 4 GHz. The Turbo Boost frequency you get with this powerful CPU is 4.4 GHz. You can also overclock the CPU to your desired settings, something you will miss on the i7-4790.

Heat production has always remained an issue on Intel’s old Haswell chips. However, heating problems have been fixed on the Intel Core i7-4790K as a new Thermal Interface Material, also known as TIM, has been used between the heat spreader and the die, dissipating heat efficiently.

The processor has 8 MB of Intel smart cache and a TDP of 88 W. Other than that, it also has integrated graphics and a stock cooler. So, if you are on a tight budget, you will not have to worry about buying a new cooler or a GPU. But if you want the best performance from your CPU, then getting a GPU and a good cooler is highly recommended.

3. Intel Core i7-4770K

The Intel Core i7-4770K is an excellent chip with modest performance gains. This processor belongs to Intel’s Haswell microarchitecture and is built on the 22 nm processor node. It is compatible with the LGA 1150 socket type and is a top-end chip that provides excellent performance for various tasks. Although its lower overclocking potential might be disappointing for some users, it has enhancements and improvements compared to its predecessor.

The processor comes with four cores, which gives you good gaming performance through single-core performance. Other than that, it has multi-threading with eight threads, which allows you to perform heavy multitasking with ease. Overall, it gives an optimum performance with any task handed over to it.

The Intel Core i7-4770K comes with a base clock frequency of 3.5 GHz, and this can be turbo boosted to a maximum of about 3.9 GHz. It also has support for DDR3-1600. Another great feature is that overclocking is unlocked, but it has its limitations, which is rather disappointing.

It has 8 MB of Intel’s Smart Cache, which enhances performance. Unfortunately, it also comes with integrated graphics, which are nowhere good enough for gaming. The CPU also lacks Transactional Synchronization Extensions, which allow you to manage multi-thread performance problems easily.

Overall, this CPU functions well for routine tasks and low-level gaming, but you should look for something way better if you are a serious gamer.

4. Intel Core i5-4690K

The Intel Core i5-4690K is a sound chip, having optimum features to serve your needs. It belongs to Intel’s Haswell microarchitecture and has a 22 nm process node. As a result, it is a great chip to run the day-to-day tasks, whether it’s heavy tasking or regular business tasks. It can also play some of the most excellent games, such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, GTA V, and many more.

The processor comes with four cores, which gives you good performance in single tasks and gaming. Unfortunately, it also heads four threads, which is a bummer as it will not be giving up-to-the-mark performance while handling multitasking or other multi-thread-based programs.

When it comes to clock speed, the Intel Core i5-4690K has a base clock speed of 3.50 GHz with a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 3.90 GHz. Other than that, it comes with 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and has a TDP of 88 W.

The CPU has been integrated with the Intel HD Graphics 4600, so you will not need a GPU unless you want fantastic graphics from your gaming. The overclocking feature is also available as it is multiplayer unlocked so that you can boost your performance through that.

Overall, this CPU functions decently and is commonly used in business desktop PCs.

5. Intel Core i5-4460

The Intel Core i5-4460 can be labeled as an old-timer CPU that continues to impress the market. It belongs to Intel’s Haswell microarchitecture. The processor is compatible with LGA 1150 and has a 20 nm process. Although it isn’t as powerful as the high-end LGA 1150 CPUs, it still provides an excellent low-budget option and can serve your everyday needs.

Talking about the number of cores and threads, you get four cores and four threads that give you decent performance with regular tasks. It can also handle low-tier gaming pretty well. However, it will not give optimum performance when dealing with multi-thread-based tasks due to single-threads and is not ideal for proper gaming.

The Intel Core i5-4460 comes with a base frequency of 3.20 GHz, and this can be turbo boosted to a maximum of 3.40 GHz, which isn’t that much, and you can’t even perform overclocking. The 6 MB Intel smart cache plays its role in enhancing performance and has a TDP of 84 W. Other than that; the processor also supports DDR3 RAM, which temporarily stores ongoing tasks.

The processor comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 and a stock cooler, so you won’t have to spend extra money on a GPU and a cooler. However, if you want better graphics for your gameplay, consider buying a decent GPU along with it.

Overall, this is a great CPU to perform regular day-to-day tasks on and even low-end gaming on. Even though it was released back in 2014, it continues to sell and give excellent performances.

6. Intel Core i5-4590

The Intel Core i5-4570 is a decent, well-balanced LGA 1151 CPU that shows some of the power of a Core-i7 and gives modest performance for regular tasks. It offers an excellent middle ground for those users who are willing to spend less and yet gain good performance. It belongs to the Haswell microarchitecture and has a 22 nm process. The processor is also good to go for many of the games out there.

The CPU comes with four cores and four threads. Unfortunately, there is no hyperthreading available on this chipset, so handling multi-thread-based tasks on your computer might cause some hurdles. However, if you don’t plan on performing such tasks on your computer, you will not miss the hyperthreading feature at all, as it gives an overall decent performance on day-to-day tasks and low-end gaming.

The base clock speed of this processor lies at 3.30 GHz, which means the maximum attainable turbo boost frequency is 3.60, which is built relatively low. On top of that, you can not overclock your settings either, which is a bummer.

Other than that, this PC offers 6 Mb of Intel’s smart cache, and the processor supports the DDR3 memory type. It has a TDP rating of 84 W. You can also pair it with the stock cooler to allow cooling and integrated graphics which handle gaming adequately at low settings.

Overall, this CPU is excellent for day-to-day use, and you can also easily edit your videos and pictures, obtaining good performance. However, if you are willing to perform heavy tasking or high-end gaming, then you have to go bigger than this.

7. Intel Core i5-4430

The Intel Core i5-4430 can be considered a decent option to buy when one is willing to use it for regular day-to-day tasks. The processor belongs to the Haswell microarchitecture with the socket type LGA 1150 and has a 20nm process note with 1400 million transistors.

The processor is not built for heavy gaming or tasking, yet it is definitely capable of low-tier gaming along with some tasks such as video editing or using photoshop.

This CPU also comes with four cores and four threads. Unfortunately, with hyperthreading disabled, this processor won’t be able to handle tasks based on multi-threading smoothly. So if you are a content creator who requires a lot from your computer or a good gamer, this CPU is not the correct choice for you.

The Intel Core i5-4430 has a base clock speed of 3.0 GHz that can be turbo boosted to a maximum of 3.20 GHz. Moreover, the processor has a TDP of 84 watts, consuming a significant amount of power, so cooling will be required.

The processor has 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel interface. Besides that, it features Intel HD 4600 graphics, which spares you from buying a GPU.

Overall, the Intel Core i5-4430 is a good CPU that can handle your daily tasks and usage pretty well. It can also handle complex situations depending on their complexity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best LGA 1150 CPU?

The overall best LGA 1150 CPU on our list is the Intel Core i7-4790K.

Can an LGA 1150 CPU work on an LGA 1151 motherboard?

No, the LGA 1151 and LGA 1150 are not compatible.

Does LGA 1150 support DDR4?

No. LGA 1150 only supports DDR3 and not DDR4.

What is the fastest LGA 1150 CPU?

The Fastest LGA 1150 CPU on our list is the Intel Core i7-4790K

Wrapping It Up

If you have come this far, you have probably gained all the knowledge you need to pick the best LGA 1150 CPU for you. By now, we have discussed the best LGA 1150 CPUs on the market, along with their specs, reviews, and pros and cons. Make sure to refer to our buyer’s guide, as those features are the key to a great CPU.

We hope this article has helped you a lot, and now you will be able to choose the perfect CPU for yourself with ease.