AMD’s Latest Gaming CPU May Have Some Competition

I’ll get straight to the point: I’m a huge fan of AMD’s 3D V-Cache chips, and for good reason. These CPUs are specifically designed to improve gaming performance by adding a significant amount of extra L3 cache. The result is silky-smooth gaming frame rates that leave competitors in the dust. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is still our top pick for the best CPU for gaming, and it’s easy to see why.

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However, after finishing my review of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D, I have to admit that I’m seriously considering switching back to Intel. The 7700X3D is AMD’s latest attempt to offer a more affordable 3D V-Cache CPU for those who already have an existing AM5 motherboard. But, as I’ll explain, there are a few issues with this approach.

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The Competition Within AMD’s Stables

Firstly, the 7700X3D is essentially a slower-clocked version of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which is a great CPU in its own right. The main difference between the two is the price, with the 7700X3D costing $329 and the 7800X3D costing $450. However, the older 7800X3D has been on the market for a while now, and as a result, it’s much easier to find in stock. In fact, the on-sale prices for the 7800X3D are often lower than those of the 7700X3D, making it a more attractive option for those who don’t need the latest and greatest.

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This means that the value proposition of the 7700X3D is only really attractive to those who are looking to upgrade their existing AM5 system. If you’re building a new system from scratch, then the latest Intel Arrow Lake chips are definitely worth considering. And, as I’ll explain, they offer some impressive performance at a lower price point than the 7700X3D.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: A Serious Contender

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a CPU that’s definitely worth taking a look at. With a price tag of just $200, it’s a serious contender in the budget gaming CPU market. But what really sets it apart is its performance. In our tests, the 250K Plus was able to hold its own against the 7700X3D and 7800X3D in a number of games, often coming out on top.

Of course, the 250K Plus doesn’t have the same level of 3D V-Cache as the AMD CPUs, but it makes up for it with its six Performance-core layout and 12 Efficient-cores. The result is a CPU that’s well-suited to both gaming and productivity tasks. And, at just $200, it’s a much more affordable option than the 7700X3D.

The Productivity Capabilities of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

We also put the 250K Plus through its paces in a number of productivity tests, and the results were impressive. With 18 cores of multi-threaded grunt, the 250K Plus is well-suited to tasks like video editing and 3D modeling. And, with a price tag of just $200, it’s a much more affordable option than the 7700X3D.

Of course, there is one major caveat to consider when it comes to the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus: the platform longevity of the LGA 1851 socket. While AMD’s AM5 socket is supported through to 2029, Intel’s LGA 1851 socket is a dead-end, with any new Intel chips requiring an entire motherboard upgrade.

But, as I’ll explain, this may not be as big of a deal as it seems. For those who are building a new system from scratch, the 250K Plus is definitely worth considering. And, with its impressive performance and affordable price tag, it’s a serious contender in the budget gaming CPU market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D is a great CPU, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. If you’re looking to build a new system from scratch, then the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is definitely worth considering. With its impressive performance and affordable price tag, it’s a serious contender in the budget gaming CPU market.