Intel is expected to launch its 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs in October, with higher frequencies and core counts. We’ve not seen that many leaks or rumors compared to other generations, but while we’re relatively sure on specifications now, prices has been elusive. Till now.
Regular leaker of such information, Twitter user @momomo_us has revealed what could be the pricing for every CPU above the Core i5-14600K. In short, we can perhaps expect a sizeable uplift in pricing compared to the 13th Gen series.
Above we can see the K and KF models (KF is just without integrated graphics and slightly cheaper as a result) and starting with the Core i5-13600K, its launch price of $330 rises to $380 for the Core i5-14600K. Interestingly, the Core i5-13600K is currently retailing for $317 on Newegg so the Core i5-14600K could launch $60 higher than the current price of the older CPU. A questionable choice? We’ll have to wait and see.
The more interesting comparison, though, is with the Core i7-14700K, which is the only CPU of the bunch that’s all but confirmed to be getting a core count increase. Here, things are certainly interesting – the Core i7-13700K had a launch price of $425 compared to $485 for the Core i7-14700K – not a huge deal given you’re getting more cores and higher frequencies.
The real issue, though, is that the Core i7-13700K now costs just $365 on Newegg, which is $60 less than launch and a whopping $120 lower than the rumored price of the Core i7-14700K. Even with more cores and high frequencies, that’s a tough sell.
Maybe less of an issue is the flagship since the Core i9 has often been the domain of those with cash to burn or just those that want the flagship. Here the Core i9-14900K may retail for $700 – around $100 more than the launch price of the Core i9-13900K, which has since fallen from $600 to a current $556 on Newegg. Is $150 a bad deal considering the average performance uplift from Raptor Lake Refresh 14th Gen CPUs is only around three percent according to MSI? Absolutely, but again, value counts for less at the top end.
Things we know for sure
While pricing has not been confirmed or corroborated through other sources, we do know a few things for sure about 14th Gen Raptor Lake refresh CPUs. Firstly, if you own a 600 or 700-series chipset motherboard, you’ll be able to drop in a 14th Gen CPU, although you’ll probably need to update the BIOS on your motherboard.
You’ll also be able to use your existing cooler that’s compatible with Intel’s LGA1700 socket as nothing here has changed. Similarly, the new CPUs will also continue to support either DDR4 or DDR5, so whether you’re transplanting cheaper DDR4 memory or buying new DDR5 kits, both are fine, depending on the motherboard you pick.
As well as higher frequencies, we also know that the Core i7-14700K will gain four E-cores, so will offer more multi-threaded performance. This has already been leaked online with a sizeable upshift over the Core i7-13700K. Sadly, while earlier rumors pointed at core count increases for other CPUs, it looks like the Core i7-14700K will be the only one.
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