Ryzen Killer – Intel’s Next-Gen i3 CPUs could destroy AMD’s budget lineup

Intel’s 14th generation i3 CPUs are set to become budget gaming champions

Intel are preparing to launch their 14th generation of Core processors later this year, new desktop CPUs that will support the company’s existing LGA 1700 CPU socket and significantly shake up Intel’s product stack. 

While Intel’s 14th generation leaks state that these CPUs are a “Rocket Lake Refresh”, it looks like Intel plans to deliver significant performance gains with their newest processors. While Intel are sticking to the same core architectures as their 13th generation products, the company plans to offer buyers more performance though increase core counts and higher core clock speeds.

A revolutionary new i3

Rumour has it that Intel are planning to ship 14th generation i3 processors that feature six P cores. That’s a 50% increase in core count over their current generation offerings, giving users six cores that twelve threads. While it is unknown whether or not this CPU uses Alder Lake cores or Raptor Lake cores, the shift from four cores to six cores alone is enough to transform Intel’s market position within the budget PC market.

This new information comes through Red Gaming Tech, who has leaked these CPU details through his YouTube channel. Here he reported on 6-core i3 processors as well as increased core counts for all of Intel’s 14th gen i5 and i7 models.

On the AMD side, AMD’s lowest cost current-gen six-core twelve-thread offering is their Ryzen 5 7600, a processor that costs over £200 at most retailers. Intel’s 14th generation i3 could force huge pricing reductions from AMD, assuming that Intel prices their next-gen i3 similarly to their last-generation counterparts.   

AMD’s Ryzen lineup needs to change

If Intel moves their i3 brand to six cores, AMD will likely release their next-generation 6-core processors as Ryzen 3 class products, likely moving their eight core models to Ryzen 5 and twelve core models to Ryzen 7. If Intel are offering customer more from their i3 lineup, AMD needs to do the same with Ryzen 3.

If Intel prices their next-gen i3 CPUs like their current generation counterparts, Intel will have dramatically reduced the appeal of AMD’s entire Ryzen 5 lineup, and have secured for themselves the position of budget gaming champion. With support for existing motherboards and both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, Intel’s 14th Generation LGA 1700 compatible i3 CPUs will be the CPU of choice for budget gamers, and AMD should be worried by this prospect.

You can join the discussion on Intel’s revolutionary 14th generation i3 processors on the OC3D Forums.