Short answer: for most people upgrading an existing LGA 1150 PC, the Intel Core i7-4790K is the best practical CPU for the socket. It gives you 4 cores, 8 threads, a 4.0 GHz base clock and up to 4.4 GHz Turbo, and it works with a much wider range of LGA 1150 boards than the later Broadwell chips.
If your motherboard is an H97 or Z97 model with the correct BIOS, the Core i7-5775C is the interesting alternative. Its clocks are lower, but its 128 MB of eDRAM can help in some games. For a cheaper upgrade, the Core i7-4790, Core i7-4770, or a compatible Xeon E3-1231 v3 can make more sense than paying a premium for a 4790K.
One important warning in 2026: LGA 1150 only makes sense as an upgrade to a PC you already own. These processors are long discontinued, the platform uses DDR3-era hardware, and 4th- and 5th-generation Core processors are not on Microsoft’s supported Windows 11 CPU list. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. If you are buying a motherboard and RAM as well as the CPU, moving to a newer platform is usually the better investment.
Best LGA 1150 CPUs at a glance
| CPU | Cores / threads | Base / turbo | Best for | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-4790K | 4 / 8 | 4.0 / 4.4 GHz | Best overall, fastest practical upgrade | Often commands a premium on the used market |
| Core i7-5775C | 4 / 8 | 3.3 / 3.7 GHz | Niche gaming upgrade, strong integrated graphics | Officially limited to H97/Z97 platforms; check BIOS support |
| Core i7-4790 | 4 / 8 | 3.6 / 4.0 GHz | Best no-fuss alternative to the 4790K | Locked multiplier |
| Xeon E3-1231 v3 | 4 / 8 | 3.4 / 3.8 GHz | Best value if your board supports it | No integrated graphics; motherboard support varies |
| Core i7-4770 | 4 / 8 | 3.4 / 3.9 GHz | Budget 8-thread upgrade | Slower than the 4790/4790K |
Intel’s own specifications list the Core i7-4790K at 4 cores and 8 threads with a 4.4 GHz maximum Turbo frequency, 8 MB of cache and an 88 W TDP. That combination is why it remains the simplest answer to the question “what is the best LGA 1150 CPU?”
Best overall: Intel Core i7-4790K
The Core i7-4790K is the LGA 1150 processor I would choose for most existing systems if the price is sensible. It was the flagship Devil’s Canyon desktop part for the socket, and unlike the older i5 chips it gives you Hyper-Threading for 8 threads.
Its biggest advantage is clock speed. Intel specifies a 4.0 GHz base frequency and up to 4.4 GHz Turbo. The “K” suffix also means the multiplier is unlocked, although overclocking only makes sense with a suitable motherboard, cooling and power delivery.
That does not make a 4790K a modern high-end CPU. It is still a four-core processor from 2014. But if you already own a compatible LGA 1150 motherboard and want the strongest straightforward drop-in upgrade, it is usually the place to start.
Why the 4790K is still the safest top-end choice
- 4 cores and 8 threads rather than the 4-core/4-thread layout of common Haswell i5 chips.
- Up to 4.4 GHz Turbo, the highest stock Turbo frequency among the mainstream LGA 1150 Core i7 options.
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600, so the PC can still output video without a discrete GPU if the motherboard provides display outputs.
- Much broader motherboard compatibility than the Core i7-5775C.
- Unlocked multiplier for boards and users that support overclocking.
What is the fastest LGA 1150 CPU?
If by “fastest” you mean the fastest broadly compatible, high-clocked LGA 1150 CPU, the answer is the Core i7-4790K.
There is one wrinkle: the later Core i7-5775C is a 5th-generation Broadwell chip with 128 MB of on-package eDRAM. Intel lists it at 4 cores, 8 threads, 3.3 GHz base and 3.7 GHz Turbo. In testing, that large cache helped it match or beat the 4790K in some gaming workloads despite the lower clock speed. AnandTech’s original Broadwell testing found examples where the 5775C’s eDRAM improved minimum frame rates, while its broader CPU testing still placed the higher-clocked 4790K ahead overall in many non-gaming workloads.
You can see the original gaming discussion in AnandTech’s Broadwell desktop review.
So the useful answer is:
- Fastest practical all-round LGA 1150 upgrade: Core i7-4790K.
- Most interesting gaming alternative: Core i7-5775C, if your board specifically supports it.
Core i7-5775C: worth considering on H97 and Z97
The Core i7-5775C is unusual enough that it deserves its own section. Intel’s specifications show 4 cores, 8 threads, a 65 W TDP and 128 MB of eDRAM alongside Iris Pro Graphics 6200. That eDRAM acts as a large additional cache and is the reason the chip can perform surprisingly well in some games.
Compatibility is the problem. Intel’s compatibility page lists the 5775C with H97 and Z97 chipsets. Even then, you should check the exact motherboard manufacturer’s CPU support list and required BIOS version before buying one. Do not assume that every board with an LGA 1150 socket can run Broadwell.
Intel’s i7-5775C specification page also lists DDR3L-1333/1600 memory support. This is another reason to verify the exact board and RAM configuration rather than treating all LGA 1150 systems as interchangeable.
Best value: Core i7-4790, Core i7-4770 or Xeon E3-1231 v3
The top CPU is not automatically the best buy. Used hardware pricing is inconsistent, and the i7-4790K often attracts a “best in socket” premium.
If a Core i7-4790 is meaningfully cheaper, you still get 4 cores and 8 threads, with a 3.6 GHz base clock and up to 4.0 GHz Turbo. For a PC that will run at stock settings, that can be a better-value upgrade.
The older Core i7-4770 is another sensible fallback. Intel lists it at 4 cores, 8 threads, 3.4 GHz base and 3.9 GHz Turbo. It is slower, but the real question on a used platform is whether the performance difference justifies the price difference.
The Xeon E3-1231 v3 is the bargain hunter’s option. It is essentially a Haswell-era 4-core/8-thread processor with 8 MB of cache, a 3.4 GHz base clock and up to 3.8 GHz Turbo. Intel lists it for FCLGA1150. However, it has no integrated graphics, and consumer motherboard support is not universal, so check your board’s CPU support list before buying it. Intel’s specifications are available on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 page.
Best LGA 1150 CPU for gaming
For a gaming PC with a discrete graphics card, I would normally choose the i7-4790K. It has the highest clocks, 8 threads and broad compatibility.
If you have a confirmed-compatible H97 or Z97 board, the i7-5775C is also interesting because its 128 MB eDRAM can help in CPU-limited gaming. But it is a niche recommendation rather than the default because compatibility is narrower and used pricing can be odd.
I would be reluctant to spend much on a 4-core/4-thread i5 such as the i5-4590 or i5-4690K in 2026. Those chips can still run plenty of older and lighter games, but if you are paying to extend the life of an LGA 1150 system, an 8-thread i7 or compatible Xeon is usually the more worthwhile end point.
Before buying any LGA 1150 CPU
1. Check the exact motherboard model
Do not shop by socket alone. Find the full motherboard model, then look up its official CPU support list. This matters particularly for Broadwell and Xeon processors, which may need specific chipsets or BIOS versions.
If you are trying to identify the rest of an old system before upgrading it, our guide to checking what power supply you have is useful before adding a higher-power CPU or graphics card.
2. Check the BIOS version
A physically compatible CPU can still fail to boot if the motherboard firmware does not support it. This is especially important when moving between early Haswell CPUs, Devil’s Canyon and Broadwell.
3. Confirm your memory
LGA 1150 is a DDR3-era platform. Haswell desktop processors such as the i7-4790K officially support DDR3/DDR3L, while the i7-5775C specification lists DDR3L. The old version of this guide incorrectly suggested that some LGA 1150 motherboards use DDR4. DDR4 belongs to later mainstream Intel platforms, not normal LGA 1150 desktop boards.
4. Check cooling and motherboard power delivery
A 4790K can be a substantial step up from a low-power i3 or i5. Make sure your cooler is appropriate and that an old prebuilt motherboard is actually designed for the CPU you are considering. Socket compatibility does not guarantee that every OEM system will accept every high-end chip.
Motherboard size is a separate issue from CPU socket. If you are moving parts between cases, our ATX vs Micro ATX vs Mini ITX guide explains the form-factor differences.
Is LGA 1150 the same as LGA 1151?
No. LGA 1150 and LGA 1151 are different sockets. An LGA 1151 processor will not fit or operate in an LGA 1150 motherboard, and an LGA 1150 processor will not work in an LGA 1151 board.
The similar names are misleading. Always match the exact CPU model to the motherboard manufacturer’s supported-CPU list.
Does LGA 1150 support DDR4?
No, normal desktop LGA 1150 platforms use DDR3 or DDR3L, not DDR4. For example, Intel specifies DDR3/DDR3L-1333/1600 for the i7-4790K. The i7-5775C specification lists DDR3L-1333/1600.
This matters if you are considering a larger upgrade. Moving from LGA 1150 to a newer platform generally means replacing the motherboard and, depending on the platform you choose, the memory as well.
Is an LGA 1150 upgrade still worth it in 2026?
Sometimes, but only if you already own the rest of the system.
An inexpensive CPU swap can be a perfectly rational way to keep an older PC useful for light gaming, home-server duties, media playback, older software or a secondary machine. The economics change completely if you need to buy the motherboard, RAM and cooler too.
There is also an operating-system issue now. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft’s current Windows 11 supported-processor list does not include mainstream 4th- or 5th-generation Core desktop CPUs. Unsupported installation methods exist, but that is different from official hardware support.
Microsoft explains the Windows 10 end-of-support options on its Windows 10 support page.
When an LGA 1150 upgrade makes sense
- You already own a working LGA 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory.
- You can buy a compatible 4-core/8-thread CPU cheaply.
- The computer is for older games, a secondary PC or a specific legacy workload.
- You want the cheapest possible way to extend the life of hardware you already have.
When you should move to a newer platform
- You are buying the motherboard and memory from scratch.
- The i7-4790K or i7-5775C carries a large used-market premium.
- You want official Windows 11 support.
- You need substantially more than 4 cores and 8 threads.
- You are pairing the system with a modern high-end GPU and chasing high frame rates in current games.
How much should you spend on an LGA 1150 CPU?
There is no useful universal price because these CPUs are now traded mostly as used, refurbished or old-stock parts, and prices vary heavily by country and seller.
A better rule is to compare the total upgrade cost. If a top-end LGA 1150 processor costs close to what you would spend moving to a newer used motherboard/CPU/RAM combination, do not pay the “fastest CPU for the socket” premium. The 4790, 4770 or a supported Xeon can be the smarter bridge upgrade.
If you are also working with another older platform, we have a separate guide to the best AM3 processors.
Final recommendation
For most existing LGA 1150 systems, the Core i7-4790K remains the best overall upgrade. It has the strongest combination of high clock speed, 8 threads, integrated graphics and broad motherboard support.
The Core i7-5775C is the more unusual enthusiast choice. Its 128 MB eDRAM can make it surprisingly capable in some games, but only buy one after confirming H97/Z97 motherboard and BIOS compatibility.
If value matters more than owning the absolute top chip, look at the i7-4790, i7-4770 or a supported Xeon E3-1231 v3. On a platform this old, paying less for 90 percent of the useful performance is often the better decision.
And if you do not already own an LGA 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory, skip the platform entirely. In 2026, this socket is an upgrade path for existing hardware, not the foundation for a new build.
