AMD may have released a bunch of cheaper X3D CPUs, but I would go Intel for a budget rig today

AMD may have released a bunch of cheaper X3D CPUs, but I would go Intel for a budget rig today is the focus of a new gaming update, and the useful part is understanding what has actually changed or been announced. Hardware Processors I've just finished reviewing AMD's latest gaming CPU and I would genuinely considering switching back to Intel News By Dave James Published 21 August 2026 It's not that the 7700X3D is a bad chip, but the value proposition of Intel's CPUs is mighty tempting for a budget gamer.

What Happened

Hardware Processors I've just finished reviewing AMD's latest gaming CPU and I would genuinely considering switching back to Intel News By Dave James Published 21 August 2026 It's not that the 7700X3D is a bad chip, but the value proposition of Intel's CPUs is mighty tempting for a budget gamer. And that means the actual on-sale prices are essentially the same, and sometimes the 7800X3D is actually available for less than the 7700X3D.And the second issue is that the value proposition of the 7700X3D only really stands up if you are looking to make a CPU upgrade to an existing AM5 system. But if you're building a new system from scratch—and if you are, I feel your pricing pain, my droog—then at this end of the market the latest Intel Arrow Lake chips are mighty tempting. While AMD has confirmed that it will be supporting the socket through to 2029, and has recently celebrated the 10 year lifespan (and counting) of its AM4 platform, Intel is still replacing its CPU socket pretty much every generation.So yes, that means the board you stick the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus into only has a very limited upgrade path within the Arrow Lake generation, and any new Intel chips you covet will require an entire motherboard upgrade, too. launching it alongside the mid-range AM5 Ryzen 7 7700X3D Latest in Processors Processors AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D CPU review Processors Intel is keeping Raptor Lake CPUs around for 'years to come' as a cheaper alternative to DDR5-compatible chips Processors If your AMD chipset drivers are mysteriously failing to install like mine,

What Players Need to Know

They're great CPUs, which use a hefty dollop of extra L3 cache specifically to improve their gaming performance, and that's why the Ryzen 7 9800X3D still sits proudly at the top of our best CPU for gaming list.But, having just finished writing up my AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D review, AMD's latest pitch for a budget gaming chip, it's made me seriously consider whether I would actually pick Intel's Core Ultra 5 250K Plus instead. And that means the actual on-sale prices are essentially the same, and sometimes the 7800X3D is actually available for less than the 7700X3D.And the second issue is that the value proposition of the 7700X3D only really stands up if you are looking to make a CPU upgrade to an existing AM5 system. You may like AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D CPU review Intel quietly bumps the price up of the best CPUs it's made in years to 'reflect current market dynamics' This is Why We Game The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has popped up with low-end pricing and high-end performance. It may only come rocking a six Performance-core layout, but that does give it 18 cores of multi-threaded grunt and some surprisingly good gaming prowess to boot.Previous1 / 2Next1080p gaming performanceWe test games at 1080p for CPU tests to better highlight performance diffences between chipsCyberpunk 2077 (1080p RT Ultra + DLSS Balanced)Baldur's Gate 3 (1080p Ultra)Homeworld 3 (1080p Epic)Metro Exodus Enhanced Ed. (1080p High)Total War: Warhammer 3 (1080p High)Avg FPS1% Low FPSAMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D11273Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus11893AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D12088AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D11759Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p RT Ultra + DLSS Balanced) DataProductValueAMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D112 Avg FPS,

Additional Context

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. And I rather think I might.The whole justification for the existence of the 7700X3D—a chip that is essentially just a slower clocked Ryzen 7 7800X3D, itself a great CPU from 2023—is that AMD is delivering a more affordable 3D V-Cache CPU to drop into your existing AM5 motherboard.

That is, on the surface, a laudable endeavour.Latest Videos FromPC GamerWatch full video here: There are a couple of problems here, however. The first is competition from within the AMD stables; namely the fact that, while the 7700X3D does have a vastly lower MSRP to that of the 7800X3D (it's $329 plays $450) the older chip has had a long time to establish itself in retail and as such there are a lot of them around.

Say, if you've already got a rig with a Ryzen 5 7600 in it, for example.

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Hardware Processors I've just finished reviewing AMD's latest gaming CPU and I would genuinely considering switching back to Intel News By Dave James Published 21 August 2026 It's not that the 7700X3D is a bad chip, but the value proposition of Intel's CPUs is mighty tempting for a budget gamer. When you purchase through links…

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