Quick Answer
DDR5-6400 works fine with the Core i5-14400F, but this locked chip is not memory-sensitive, so 6400 gives only a small gain over 6000 or 5600. Buy whichever is best priced, enable XMP, and spend the difference on your GPU, which matters far more for gaming.
Why The 14400F Barely Notices RAM Speed
The 14400F is a locked mid-range Intel CPU, and its gaming performance does not scale strongly with memory speed the way an unlocked or AM5 chip can. Stepping from DDR5-5600 to 6400 yields only a handful of frames in CPU-bound games and nothing in GPU-bound ones. So while a 6400 kit is perfectly compatible on a B760 DDR5 board with XMP, it is not a meaningful upgrade for this CPU.
The practical priority is simply enabling XMP so the kit hits its rated speed instead of the slow JEDEC default, which is where the real, free performance is.
Sensible Memory Setup
Pair the 14400F with a 2x16GB DDR5 kit (32GB) at 5600-6400, choosing on price, and enable XMP after building. Confirm the kit is on the board's QVL and use the correct two slots for dual-channel. A modest air cooler and a 550-650W PSU complete a balanced value build. Direct any savings to the GPU for the biggest frame-rate gains.
FAQ
Is DDR5-6400 better than 6000 on the 14400F?
Only slightly. The locked 14400F is not memory-sensitive, so 6400 adds just a few frames in CPU-bound games. Choose between them on price rather than expecting a big gain.
Do I have to enable XMP for a 6400 kit?
Yes. Without XMP the kit runs at a slow JEDEC default. Enabling XMP in BIOS sets the rated 6400 speed and timings, which is the real, free performance win on this CPU.
Should I spend more on RAM or GPU for the 14400F?
GPU. Since the 14400F barely responds to faster RAM, extra memory budget is better spent on a stronger graphics card, which lifts frame rates far more in gaming.
14400F build, pick the DDR5 kit between 5600 and 6400 with the best price, enable XMP, and put the saving into your GPU for more real frames.