In an surprising transfer, Intel has introduced plans to part out the boxed variations of its enthusiasts-class 13th Generation Core ‘Raptor Lake’ processors. According to a product change notification (PCN) revealed by the corporate final month, Intel plans to cease delivery these desktop CPUs by late June. In its place will stay Intel’s present lineup of boxed 14th Generation Core processors, that are primarily based on the identical ‘Raptor Lake’ silicon and sometimes carry larger efficiency for comparable costs.
Intel prospects and distributors considering getting boxed variations 13th Generation Core i5-13600Okay/KF, Core i7-13700Okay/KF, and Core i9-13900Okay/KF/KS ‘Raptor Lake’ processors with unlocked multiplier ought to place their orders by May 24, 2024. The firm will ship these items by June 28, 2024. Meanwhile, the PCN doesn’t point out any change to the provision of tray variations of those CPUs, that are offered to OEMs and wholesalers.
The impending discontinuation of Intel’s boxed 13th Generation Core processors comes as the corporate’s present 14th Generation product line, ‘Raptor Lake Refresh’ is basically a rehash of the identical silicon at barely larger clockspeeds. Case in level: the entire discontinued SKUs are primarily based on Intel’s B0 Raptor Lake silicon, which continues to be getting used for his or her 14th Gen counterparts. So Intel has not discontinued producing any Raptor Lake silicon; solely the variety of retail SKUs is getting cut-down.
As outlined in our 14th Generation Core/Raptor Lake Refresh evaluation, the 14th Gen chips largely make their 13th Gen counterparts redundant, providing higher efficiency at each tier for a similar checklist worth. And with just about all present technology motherboards supporting each technology of chips, apparently Intel feels there’s little motive to maintain round what’s primarily older, slower SKUs of the identical silicon.
Interestingly, the retirement of the enthusiast-class 13th Generation Core chips is coming earlier than Intel discontinues their even older 12th Generation Core ‘Alder Lake’ processors. 12th Gen chips are nonetheless out there to at the present time in each boxed and tray variations, and the Alder Lake silicon itself continues to be extensively in use in a number of product households. So regardless that Alder Lake shares the identical platform as Raptor Lake, the chips primarily based on that silicon have not been rendered redundant in the identical means that 13th Gen Core chips have.
Ultimately, it could appear that Intel is intent on consolidating and simplifying its boxed retail chip choices by retiring their near-duplicate SKUs. Which for PC patrons might current a minor alternative for a deal, as retailers work to unload their remaining 13th Gen fanatic chips.
