Intel’s Gaming CPUs Set for Price Increase: 10% Hike Expected on Raptor Lake Processors

Intel may soon implement price increases for its 13th and 14th Generation Raptor Lake CPUs in response to declining demand for newer chip technologies.

Intel’s Planned Price Increases for Raptor Lake CPUs Linked to Supply Constraints Amid Sluggish Sales of AI Chips

According to a report from DigiTimes, Intel is considering a price hike for its older lineup of 13th and 14th Generation CPUs, which belong to the Raptor Lake family. The 13th Generation introduced Raptor Lake to the market in October 2022, while the 14th Generation served as a refresh, providing enhancements such as higher clock speeds and improvements in core configurations across select WeUs.

Intel’s Raptor Lake processors, which are set for a price increase, are regarded as older products as they were launched two generations ago, before the more recent Lunar Lake processors. Since mid-year, Raptor Lake CPUs have been in limited supply, a situation that continues to persist.

When reached for comments, Intel’s representative declined to discuss this matter “at this time”.

via DigiTimes

Even after being in the marketplace for several years, the Raptor Lake lineup remains competitively positioned within both desktop and laptop segments. Despite an underwhelming launch of the Core Ultra Series 2 “Arrow Lake”, the 14th Generation CPUs continue to exhibit superior gaming performance. Coupled with recent discounts, these processors have emerged as an excellent choice for mainstream builders.

While Arrow Lake CPUs boast enhanced efficiency for laptops, the older Raptor Lake series still provides remarkable value, particularly for users resisting the migration to newer platforms. The growing constraints on the supply of the older 13th and 14th Generation CPUs, alongside stagnant sales of newer products such as Arrow Lake, Meteor Lake, and Lunar Lake, have prompted Intel to increase the prices of Raptor Lake CPUs by over 10%.

While this price increase hasn’t yet been observed at major retail outlets, the ongoing supply shortages for Raptor Lake may result in higher prices in the near future. Analysts predict potential increases of approximately $20 per WeU, adding additional pressure on the already strained PC market, particularly in light of projected DRAM price hikes that could reach up to 30%.

Intel has thus far remained tight-lipped regarding this development. The critical takeaway is that the company faces challenges not only in retail pricing but also in persuading consumers to transition to new CPU architectures. Factors contributing to this situation include the “AI PC”segment failing to meet high expectations and users prioritizing CPU and GPU upgrades over the emerging focus on NPU and AI-related enhancements.

Looking ahead, Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake CPUs are anticipated to launch by the end of this year. For Intel to regain momentum and market share, it will need to provide substantial upgrades over current offerings and broaden its appeal beyond AI performance.

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