Intel Core Ultra 5 245K

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K brings 14 cores and 14 threads. It drops into the LGA1851 socket with a 125W TDP — about 8.9W per core. Integrated Intel Xe graphics let it run headless-GPU builds and troubleshooting. Clocks run from 4.2GHz base to 5.2GHz boost. 24MB of L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive games and workloads.

Confirm motherboard socket compatibility before anything else, then size the cooler to the TDP. Expect to pay around $179.99, which lands it among mid-range options. PlanMyPC's builder flags compatibility problems automatically and tracks the latest processor deals from multiple stores. Support and warranty service run through Intel, with terms that vary by region.