Best CPU Deals, AMD vs Intel: Holiday CPU Buying Guide



Earlier this week, we checked out GPU pricing and the market to peer what sort of expenses could virtually constitute a Black Friday sale. Today, we are returned to do the equal, however this time for the the CPU market, and deliver our recommendation on the type of deals you may assume at some stage in the vacation buying season.

What we have frequently found through the years is that in Black Friday, there can be merchandise marked as discounted or a "deal" that is not without a doubt a deal at all. This occurs due to the fact retailers often examine the deal fee with the MSRP but without difficulty forget that the product has been discounted below the MSRP for a while. This can create the illusion of a extra marvelous deal than it without a doubt is.

Case in point, we noticed this taking place several instances while examining pix playing cards, where the so-called "Black Friday fee" become simplest $10 or $20 decrease than the rate from the previous month.

You may additionally find it beneficial to have a few pricing records without difficulty available for reference when comparing discounts that might be available for only some days or even only some hours.

In our information, we have included the lowest CPU charges over the past six months, expenses from the previous month, contemporary expenses, and extra. This information is sourced from PCPartPicker and CamelCamelCamel, a fantastic resource for Amazon shopping.

AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Price Guide

We'll begin with AMD's Ryzen 5000 line due to the fact these CPUs are the go-to for humans already on the AM4 platform seeking out an clean drop-in upgrade. In a variety of occasions it might not make experience to go together with a full Zen 4 platform improve when you could clutch components like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at a reduction.

  MSRP Average Price Lowest Price Last 6 Months Price Last Month Current Price (Online) Current Price (Micro Center) Good Price Ryzen nine 5950X $800 $467 $424 $472 $500 $450 $350 Ryzen 9 5900X $550 $339 $290 $343 $290 $290 $250 Ryzen 7 5800X3D $450 $322 $270 $322 $322 $three hundred $250 Ryzen 7 5800X $450 $209 $188 $210 $210 $190 $170 Ryzen 7 5700X $three hundred $187 $170 $170 $a hundred and seventy $one hundred seventy $170 Ryzen 7 5700G $360 $one hundred seventy five $one hundred sixty $185 $167 $160 $one hundred fifty Ryzen 5 5600X $three hundred $156 $138 $a hundred and sixty $159 $a hundred and forty $a hundred thirty Ryzen five 5600 $200 $141 $one hundred thirty $a hundred thirty five $138 n/a $130 Ryzen five 5600G $260 $129 $one hundred twenty $127 $138 $one hundred thirty $110

The 5800X3D is the pass-to desire for AM4 game enthusiasts because it offers the pleasant gaming overall performance on that platform. As of writing, it is priced at round $320 at on line outlets. That's an excellent charge, however not exquisite because the CPU has been available multiple times over the previous few months at round $300, with a lowest price of $270.

It's tough to mention precisely what cost to area on the best CPU that can be slotted into an existing motherboard, however a little below $300 might be best, particularly given the price of standalone Zen 4 processors – $250 might be a brilliant buy.

For game enthusiasts that don't want plenty of cores for productivity apps, in case you're now not grabbing a 5800X3D, the subsequent exceptional choice is the Ryzen five 5600. There's simplest approximately a 5% difference in average gaming performance among the 5600 and the Ryzen nine 5950X, and an excellent smaller distinction between the 5600 and 8-core models like the 5800X, so it doesn't make a ton of feel to pay a huge premium for extra cores.

There's only approximately a five% difference in average gaming performance among the 5600 and the Ryzen 9 5950X.

Current pricing has the Ryzen 5600 at round $140, with the lowest charge seen at $one hundred thirty. Given it is been available at ~$a hundred and forty for quite some time, we do not assume it really is much of a reduction. Still, given the 5600 is ready 15% slower than the 5800X3D for less than half the charge, anything round $one hundred thirty looks like a respectable improve for those after a low value drop in CPU improve coming from plenty slower components (like a Ryzen 5 2600, that's ~35% slower).

For other CPUs within the line-up, there's the Ryzen 5 5600X which is essentially a 5600, after which the 8-core fashions such as the Ryzen 7 5700X and 5800X. The 5700X is at its lowest ever fee that is a first rate deal, however it nonetheless costs 30% extra than the 5600 at little advantage for game enthusiasts or the ones the usage of unmarried-thread confined apps. For middle-heavy workloads it is no longer terrible, the 5700X is ~35% quicker for 30% extra cash, however we wouldn't pay that unless we wanted the productiveness overall performance.

It's a comparable tale with Ryzen nine. At $290, the 5900X makes no sense for gamers as it's slower than the further priced 5800X3D, and for multi-thread productivity work it is round forty five-50% faster than a 5700X for a greater than 70% fee premium. Even although $290 is a ancient low, with $three hundred visible now and again, we assume this component needs to be $250. It have to additionally be referred to that multi-core overall performance is across the degree of the Ryzen 7 7700X, to be had for $320, but the Zen four element is tons quicker for gaming, so $290 simply isn't always plenty of a deal.

The Ryzen nine 5950X at $500 (or $450 at Micro Center if you could purchase regionally), is higher than its historical low from only a few months ago, and $450 is not anything overly special given what we have seen across the final 3 months. It's slower than the $400 7900X for productivity and gaming, despite the fact that that requires a platform upgrade, and it currently incorporates a hefty premium over the 5900X. We would not buy one for extra than $350.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Price Guide

We believe most human beings buying a Zen 4 CPU are doing so alongside a full platform improve. The right information is that a whole lot of those CPUs are presently discounted, and could make feel over a drop-in Zen 3 CPU upgrade even in case you're on AM4.

  MSRP Average Price Lowest Price Last 6 Months Price Last Month Current Price (Online) Current Price (Micro Center) Good Price Ryzen nine 7950X3D $700 $643 $588 $657 $588 $570 $570 Ryzen nine 7950X $seven hundred $567 $520 $551 $542 $520 $500 Ryzen nine 7900X3D $six hundred $493 $462 $500 $502 $470 $460 Ryzen 9 7900X $550 $398 $350 $407 $395 $370 $350 Ryzen 7 7800X3D $450 $390 $350 $370 $360 $350 $350 Ryzen 7 7700X $four hundred $338 $289 $320 $320 $300 $260 Ryzen 7 7700 $330 $313 $275 $310 $306 $280 $260 Ryzen five 7600X $300 $247 $2 hundred $238 $210 $200 $2 hundred Ryzen 5 7600 $230 $226 $two hundred $225 $2 hundred n/a $two hundred

For instance, the Ryzen 5 7600 is simply $200 right now, a historic low rate, and it offers similar gaming performance to the 5800X3D at $320. You're no longer going so that it will buy a motherboard and DDR5 reminiscence for that $one hundred twenty difference, but it can only cost an additional $70 to $80 to head the whole platform improve.

Given the promise of future CPU help, comparable gaming overall performance to the 5800X3D, quicker reminiscence and better productivity overall performance, we assume the pricing of the 7600 and 7600X is quite first rate proper now and constitutes a deal – it's at a historic low now and 10% less expensive than final month.

Like with Zen three, most other non-X3D Zen 4 processors don't make experience for gamers that aren't interested by middle-heavy productivity workloads. In our trendy benchmark session we determined the 7950X is simply 8% faster for gaming than the 7600X, and the 7700X is simply 4 percent quicker, so spending an extra $one hundred at the 8-core model makes no experience.

To be honest, the eight-middle components are not that attractive right now, even at early Black Friday charges. At exceptional, the Ryzen 7 7700X is 30% faster for middle-heavy workloads, however it prices 50% more than the six-core elements: a bigger hole than we noticed at release comparing MSRPs. $260 could make extra feel, that might be a 17% discount over recent common costs and will be the most inexpensive ever fee.

The Ryzen 9 7900X is currently priced among $370 and $four hundred, only a ~25% premium over the eight-center models, regardless of providing nearly 50% greater productiveness performance (and obviously you'll buy this frequently for software use). It also stacks up pretty favorably in value to the 7600X, although current pricing at online outlets isn't a discount over latest average pricing, round $400 has been manageable for 3 months now. We do not hate this pricing, however $350 could be a notable deal.

The 7950X is ready 30% faster than the 7900X in center-heavy apps and is priced ~35-40% better – no longer giving you ideal scaling but it's not a long way off; a small top class for the fine isn't always ridiculous. With that stated, pricing has been around $550 for a while, so a 5% cut price on Black Friday isn't some thing to get excited about. We'd be looking for a charge underneath $500.

Then there's the X3D parts, which can be presently the fastest for gaming. Compared to the Ryzen 5 7600, the 7800X3D isn't always excellent cost: it is 27% quicker in our modern day gaming benchmarks, but charges 75% greater, so that you're paying a hefty top class for the fine. The ~$350 rate point is not that distinct to ultimate month, but in case you need the quickest gaming CPU it is also no longer a terrible deal. Anything underneath $350 sounds pretty excellent to me if you could get it.

There's also the Ryzen 9 X3D models which can be a great preference for combined gaming and production workloads at its present day fee. The 7950X3D is sort of twice as fast as the 7800X3D for core-heavy obligations, however is simplest 60% greater highly-priced. It's as cheap as it's ever been and below MSRP. That's a first rate deal in our opinion if you want this kind of processor.

Intel 14th-gen Core Series Price Guide

Moving over to Intel CPUs, the 14th technology is an underwhelming launch in our opinion. The Core i9-14900K is only some percent faster than the 13900K, so it makes truely no sense to buy at a better price than the 13900K, which is $500 proper now.

  RCP Average Price Lowest Price Last 6 Months Price Last Month Current Price (Online) Current Price (Micro Center) Good Price Core i9-14900K $589 $591 $570 $597 $578 $550 $450 Core i9-14900KF $564 $558 $552 $574 $552 n/a $440 Core i7-14700K $409 $414 $403 $418 $403 $380 $350 Core i7-14700KF $384 $393 $393 $393 $393 n/a $340 Core i5-14600K $319 $339 $328 $328 $328 $three hundred $220 Core i5-14600KF $294 $311 $304 $304 $304 n/a $210

For gamers it makes no experience, as you would buy the 7800X3D alternatively, or the 14600K which is just 10% slower. And for productivity users it's much like the 7950X from AMD however with plenty higher electricity consumption and no similarly platform support. All of those factors lead us to finish that an excellent fee for those parts is decrease than the current asking one.

The Core i7-14700K is a sincerely new part with extra E-cores compared to 13th-gen, which permits it to get within 15% of the 14900K in core-heavy productiveness whilst presenting similar gaming performance. At ~$390 it would not offer an awful lot for gamers, as it's more luxurious than the 7800X3D, however for productivity paintings the rate isn't terrible. You'll need to component in platform and power consumption, as well as the overall performance of lower and older components, however something around $350 might be a decent discount. That might make it both faster and less expensive for productiveness than the 7900X.

The 14600K ended up 17% slower than the 7800X3D in our trying out, and the KF version is priced around $305 right now, making it 16% inexpensive. It is quicker than the 7800X3D and 7700X for productivity work, and electricity consumption is not horrific, even though you are nonetheless coping with a in large part lifeless platform wherein the best improve may be to the 14900K.

The problem here is that the 14600K is basically a 13600K, which is largely a 12700K in performance, and the 12700KF is currently to be had for just $200.

The issue right here is that the 14600K is largely a 13600K, which is essentially a 12700K in overall performance, and the 12700KF is currently to be had for simply $two hundred. So we do not see any reason to pay more than $220 accounting for the reality it's barely faster.

Intel 13th-gen and 12th-gen Core Price Guide

Looking returned a generation, we have already slotted in wherein we suppose the 13600K and 13900K ought to be. Current 13600KF pricing is pretty desirable – even though this is extra from a productiveness perspective, as it's handiest 5% quicker than the 7600X for gaming whilst costing 25% more. The Core i7-13700K though have to be priced greater around $300 to fit the fee of the 13600K and give a absolutely solid purpose to shop for it over a Zen 4 processor.

  RCP Average Price Lowest Price Last 6 Months Price Last Month Current Price (Online) Current Price (Micro Center) Good Price Core i9-13900K $589 $562 $541 $570 $544 $500 $450 Core i9-13900KF $564 $529 $492 $536 $501 n/a $440 Core i7-13700K $409 $384 $345 $364 $345 $330 $310 Core i7-13700KF $384 $412 $336 $364 $336 n/a $300 Core i5-13600K $319 $315 $270 $309 $270 n/a $210 Core i5-13600KF $294 $303 $250 $280 $250 n/a $two hundred Core i5-13400 $221 $212 $two hundred $228 $231 $2 hundred $a hundred and sixty Core i5-13400F $196 $207 $one hundred sixty five $200 $201 n-a $one hundred fifty Core i3-13100 $134 $one hundred forty four $one hundred $135 $147 $130 $a hundred and twenty Core i3-13100F $109 $114 $75 $110 $119 n/a $one hundred ten

The Core i5-13400F is tough to justify at ~$two hundred in the interim as that isn't always a discount. On top of this, it is 10% slower than the 7600X for gaming on the identical charge on a platform with more limited upgrade paths, so switching over to an LGA1700 board to get a slower CPU than if you went AM5 makes little experience. There were occasional income beneath $2 hundred, we do not see the value equation swinging into Intel's desire until this part become $160.

It's the twelfth-gen lineup wherein Intel processors are the maximum heavily discounted and priced properly below MSRP. So let's have a look at how those components fare in phrases of whether it is really worth an LGA1700 platform improve to seize twelfth-gen, instead of more recent Intel elements or Zen 4.

  RCP Average Price Lowest Price Last 6 Months Price Last Month Current Price (Online) Current Price (Micro Center) Good Price Core i9-12900K $589 $395 $315 $415 $315 $300 $280 Core i9-12900KF $564 $396 $310 $389 $310 n/a $270 Core i7-12700K $409 $294 $211 $306 $211 $210 $210 Core i7-12700KF $384 $276 $two hundred $287 $200 n/a $two hundred Core i5-12600K $289 $224 $153 $230 $153 $152 $one hundred sixty Core i5-12600KF $264 $2 hundred $a hundred and forty $219 $140 n/a $one hundred fifty Core i5-12400 $192 $a hundred and seventy $162 $167 $162 $150 $a hundred thirty Core i5-12400F $167 $153 $140 $150 $146 n/a $120 Core i3-12100 $122 $123 $113 $119 $119 n/a $100 Core i3-12100F $ninety seven $92 $79 $95 $ninety three n/a $ninety

Where we need to begin is that Alder Lake is commonly similar or barely slower than Zen four for gaming, the very best case situations might have the 12900K a little ahead of the 7600X. The Core i5-12600K finally ends up around 10% slower for gaming, and comparable in productivity performance as compared to the 7600X, at $one hundred forty for the KF version.

That's a 30% cut price over the Ryzen 5 7600X which makes it the better price CPU in terms of performance, although there's the query mark of upgrade aid, that is in prefer of the AMD processor. We think this is a good rate.

The 12700KF's pricing is also aggressive at $two hundred, given it's 30% quicker for productiveness tasks placing it well in advance of the in addition priced 7600X, and appears fairly priced relative to the 12600KF. This basically dictates what you must pay for the 13600K and 14600K as well, given those processors are very comparable in usual overall performance. We think this is a top notch fee for a part like this if you had productiveness in thoughts, given the 12700KF is more in the league of the 7700X for those responsibilities. Again, in case you're no longer making plans on regular updates it's remarkable value.

The 12600K units predicted pricing for the 12400F as the locked Core i5 version is around 10% slower in video games. Current pricing for the 12400F isn't always hugely discounted compared to prior months, and with the 12400F and 12600KF going for a similar charge, it makes no experience to seize the 12400F proper now, it'd need to be priced more like $a hundred and twenty-one hundred thirty. The Core i3-12100F makes quite a few sense at $ninety even though, given its slower again for gaming and approximately 1/2 as strong as the 12600K in multi-middle workloads.

Closing Thoughts and What to Buy?

Looking throughout the CPU marketplace, there is a couple of ways to head in case you're thinking about purchasing a processor. If you're at the AM4 platform and need a drop-in upgrade over an older Zen processor, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Ryzen 5 5600 continue to be the first-rate choices, despite the fact that cutting-edge pricing isn't always all that unique relative to prior months. Some Zen 3 CPUs are also nonetheless a piece high priced, along with the 5950X in spite of recent discounts.

It gets plenty extra complex for those thinking about a platform upgrade or new PC construct, as current discounts to Intel's twelfth-era Alder Lake processors are creating a robust play up in opposition to Zen four and the AM5 platform. However, you have to aspect into that decision future improve pathways (which might be confined to non-existent on Intel LGA1700) and energy intake, relying at the CPU you're interested in.

If you're now not worried approximately later enhancements, the plain preference is an Intel 12th-gen gadget. The 12600KF at $a hundred and forty is a extraordinary charge, as is the 12700KF at $two hundred, particularly for builds wherein multi-center application overall performance is vital. You're essentially getting a tier up in overall performance compared to Zen 4 on the identical fee, whilst the 12600KF is a top notch option for gamers as it's not that a long way at the back of a Ryzen 5 7600 at the same time as being drastically cheaper.

For top-tier ranges of gaming and productivity overall performance, Intel is tougher to justify without further discounts. The Core i9-13900K is best slightly cheaper than the 7950X, and it is no wonder to see the entirety of the 14th-gen making no experience without large reductions given their similarity to thirteenth-gen and even 12th-gen. Especially as parts like the 13900K have efficaciously 0 upgrade route, we would need a more great discount at some point of Black Friday.

Meanwhile, in case you do need an upgrade path with capacity for future CPU support, AMD AM5 makes the maximum sense. The Ryzen five 7600 at $200 is a respectable finances desire, even as the 7800X3D at $360 is likewise a wonderful deal in case you want flagship gaming overall performance relative to Intel's competing components. These are both traditionally appropriate prices, too.

You must now have a great take a look at what sort of pricing could make feel and what form of deals to appearance out for. Black Friday in our opinion should constantly be approximately the high-quality deals, the most important savings, and ancient low expenses; in case you're not getting a reasonable saving compared to the previous month or the bottom price across the previous few months, it is no longer much of a deal.

We'd additionally advise you appearance out for bundle offers if you're considering a complete platform upgrade or a brand new PC, some retailers will provide an awesome bargain in case you purchase a CPU, motherboard and memory in a package. Our motherboard roundups will help you avoid dud boards, and we've got visible some pretty precise value there within the past, so something to preserve in thoughts.

Shopping Shortcuts:

• AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon
• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon
• AMD Ryzen nine 7950X3D on Amazon
• AMD Ryzen nine 7900X on Amazon
• AMD Ryzen 9 7950X on Amazon
• Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon
• Intel Core i7-14700K on Amazon
• Intel Core i9-14900K on Amazon

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