THE BUILDS
THIS MONTH’S STREET PRICES...
BUDGET
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD a rumor that Intel’s last two generations of chips haven’t been great on the stability front, with reports of multiple errors and system issues. We’re starting to get unofficial reports that this is more than just a micro-code issue. In fact, it’s related to the manufacturing process itself, and possible oxidation occurring as a result. Until Intel comes out with a statement or some form of fix (rumor has it that it may reduce the multiplier on the 14th and 13th gen to just x53, and drop memory support to 4,800 MHz), we simply can’t in good faith fully recommend the Raptor Lake chips.
On top of that, deadlines are a fickle thing, and right now, AMD’s 9000 gen chips are just two weeks away from launching. That means the pricing on the 7000 chips below may radically change in the coming weeks. No doubt the 9th gen chips will be in these pages in the next couple of issues.
Our budget builds haven’t changed that dramatically. The biggest shift is on the pricing front. The 4000D has had its RRP slashed by $15, bringing it down to just $80. This is in line with NZXT’s H7 Flow 2022, also falling to just $70.