IntelCPUsIntel Core i5-14600Higher core count Intel desktop CPU for more servicesLGA170014 cores65W TDP14 cores total, 65W, a strong homelab performance-per-watt pick$279Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Core i7-14700High-core desktop CPU for local virtualisation and mediaLGA170020 cores65W TDP20 cores total, 65W, solid upper-mid Intel homelab option$369Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Xeon E-2456Higher-end entry Xeon for 24/7 server useLGA17006 cores80W TDP6 cores, 80W, better headroom for services and VMs$349Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Xeon E-2468Upper entry Xeon for dense service hostsLGA17008 cores65W TDP8 cores, 65W, one of the best small-server fits$399Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 5 9600XZen 5 entry-mid AM5 CPU for modern homelab boardsAM56 cores65W TDP6 cores, 65W, current-gen efficiency leader$279Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 7 9700XZen 5 mid-tier CPU with strong performance per wattAM58 cores65W TDP8 cores, 65W, excellent balance for a small rack box$359Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 9 9900XHigh-efficiency 12-core AM5 workstation-class chipAM512 cores120W TDP12 cores, 24 threads, 120W, great for VM density$499Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 7 8700GBest AM5 APU pick for small homelab nodesAM58 cores65W TDP8 cores, 65W, integrated graphics and strong efficiency$329Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 7 9800X3DLatest X3D chip for blistering cache-heavy workloadsAM58 cores120W TDP8 cores, 3D V-Cache, strong for latency-sensitive services$479Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 9 9850X3DNew 2026 X3D flagship-class AM5 CPUAM516 cores170W TDP16 cores, 3D V-Cache, high-end mixed workload fit$599Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 9 9900X3DHigh-core X3D AM5 CPU for demanding homelabsAM512 cores120W TDP12 cores, 3D V-Cache, strong for cache-heavy consolidation$549Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD EPYC 4344PEntry server CPU with stronger all-around throughputAM58 cores65W TDP8 cores, 65W, modern AM5 server fit$329Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD EPYC 4464PHigh-core AM5 server CPU for VM densityAM512 cores65W TDP12 cores, 65W, excellent server/workstation balance$529Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD EPYC 4564PTop-end AM5 server CPU for compact homelab racksAM516 cores170W TDP16 cores, 170W, maximum entry-server headroom in this set$699Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Core i9-12900KHigh-core consumer Intel CPU for mainstream desktop and homelab useLGA170016 cores125W TDP16 cores total, high turbo headroom, strong general-purpose fit$399Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X24-core Threadripper CPU for workstation-class homelabsSTR524 cores350W TDP24 cores, 48 threads, 350W, sTR5 platform$1,499Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X32-core Threadripper CPU for dense work and virtualizationSTR532 cores350W TDP32 cores, 64 threads, 350W, sTR5 platform$2,499Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X64-core Threadripper CPU for maximum workstation densitySTR564 cores350W TDP64 cores, 128 threads, 350W, sTR5 platform$4,999Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX16-core PRO Threadripper for workstation buildsSTR516 cores350W TDP16 cores, 32 threads, 350W, ECC RDIMM platform$1,649Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX32-core PRO Threadripper for dense workstation racksSTR532 cores350W TDP32 cores, 64 threads, 350W, ECC RDIMM platform$4,099Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Core i5-14500Efficient mixed-use CPU with Quick SyncLGA170014 cores65W TDP14 cores total, strong media support, modest power draw$249Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
AMDCPUsAMD Ryzen 7 5700XBalanced CPU for Proxmox and general servicesAM48 cores65W TDP8 cores, low cost, good efficiency for AM4 builds$179Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Xeon W-1250EECC-friendly 6-core option for lower-profile buildsLGA17006 cores80W TDP6 cores, ECC support, lower power envelope$299Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
IntelCPUsIntel Core i3-14100Entry Intel chip for light homelab and desktop workloadsLGA17004 cores60W TDP4 cores, 8 threads, 65W, strong low-cost platform fit$134Buy on AmazonAdd Compare
