Intel’s 14th-generation processors don’t offer any major new features. In fact, they are simply refresh versions with higher frequencies, higher power consumption and higher temperatures. Performance has improved… A little, but the nuisance is greater. TechpowerUp took a look at the Core i9 14900K (tested here). By reducing its power limit one after the other, it is possible to drastically reduce power consumption and heating, without sacrificing too much performance.
i9 14900K: 125W power limit, the ideal ratio!
The main interest of such a processor lies in the performance it is capable of achieving. However, the 14900K is still an energy-hungry processor that consumes a lot of power. So heating goes hand in hand. In other words, with a stock power limit of 253W, the CPU consumes 170W in applications and 144W in games. As for heating, this model can reach 94°C in applications and 81°C in games.
Reducing the power limit can drastically reduce these two values. At 125W, the optimum profile according to our colleagues, consumption falls to an average of 91W in applications (47 tests) and 106W in games (13 games). As for temperature, we lose up to 35°C in applications and 19°C in games!
However, if these figures are tempting, what about the performance obtained? Well, with a power limit set at 125W, the CPU is on a par with a Core i7 14700K on average for applications. In gaming, average performance is equivalent to that of the 14700K, but with lower power consumption/heating. In other words, with a power limit of 125W, we achieve 92% of stock CPU performance in applications, and lose just a few points, 2.5% of performance in games!
In short, it’s an interesting exercise to do on your side, since you can drastically reduce temperature, noise and power consumption. It’s all done by simply adjusting a few settings in the bios. If need be, you can always reset the power consumption limit to 253W. In the meantime, it’s a great way to prevent your cooling system from going haywire and damaging your ears, while lightening your EDF!
Here’s the test by our colleagues!
