Intel decreases CPU buying cost for gamers: Intel Core Ultra 265K CPU now priced at $299, down from $399, addressing initial issues.
Hittin' 'em where it counts: Intel's slashed the price of the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF models, setting 'em square in the sights of value-seekin' gamers and productivity pros alike. Ain't that some news, tech heads?
Intel's dropped the suggested prices of the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF models by a hefty 25%, y'hear? The 265K goes from $399 to $299, while the 265KF tumbles from $384 to $284. That's some serious savings!
Now, what sets these two bad boys apart, you ask? The 265KF forgoes an integrated GPU, which means it can snag a lower price tag. Both CPUs boast the same eight Performance and 12 Efficient cores, crankin' out the same operating frequencies, with a top Turbo speed of 5.5 GHz.
Intel's Arrow Lake CPUs had a rocky start, what with Intel's own mea culpas over the chip's non-readiness. We've crossed paths with Intel's struggles, and though it made for a mixed pic'ure, here's the point: You're still gettin' a seriously potent CPU, what with those eight hefty P-cores and 12 E-cores.
But hear this: AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X has an MSRP of $359, and even when it's not at its full retail price, it still hovers around the $300 mark. So, for gaming, there ain't much separatin' the 265K or 265KF from the AMD 9700X. The AMD's got about a 5% advantage on average, but who's gonna feel that in a game?
Where Intel really shines is in the productivity realm, poundin' out those videos and other heavy-duty content with its 20 cores versus the 9700X's eight, even if it's with 16 threads thanks to multithreading support.
The question on everyone's lips: Is Intel worth the risk now? Well, the 265K's the lower suggested price and street price, the 265KF's even lower, and with multithreading in games finally pickin' up, those extra cores might be the ticket to future proofin'.
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In the past, we'd have leaned toward the AMD chip, given its lower MSRP and slightly better gaming performance. But with these price cuts? Mmm, Intel. Looks like it's time to see if that gamble pays off!
Gaming's crown princess: The top chips from Intel and AMD. Mother of all motherboards: The right boards for the ride. Pixel-pushing powerhouse: Your perfect graphics card. Speed demon in a drive: The best SSD for gaming.
Sure, Intel's had its ups and downs, but with these price drops, the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF are worthy of some serious consideration. AMD's still the champion of pure gaming performance, so make sure to weigh your options before you dive in!
Jeremy LairdJeremy's been spinin' tech tales since the Netburst era (Google it!), and he's got a hankerin' for high-speed machines that make those sweet "ping!" sounds. Plus, he's quite the tennis whiz and car enthusiast.
- Intel's price slash on the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF models puts them squarely in the radar of gamers and productivity pros.
- The 265KF model has a lower price tag due to the absence of an integrated GPU, but shares the same operating frequencies as the 265K.
- Despite some initial difficulties, the Arrow Lake CPUs still offer significant power with their eight Performance and 12 Efficient cores.
- AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X, while cheaper, has only a slight edge in gaming performance over the Intel 265K and 265KF, a difference that might not be apparent in actual gameplay.
- In the realm of productivity, Intel's 20 cores (compared to AMD's 8) provide an edge for handling heavy content creation tasks.
- With Intel's price cuts and the increasing importance of multithreading in games, some are asking if it's worth taking the risk for the extra cores as a means of future-proofing.
- PC Gamer's experts are providing the latest tech news, deals, and reviews to help you weigh the pros and cons between Intel and AMD in your next purchase decision.
