Ultra 9 285k
Ultra 9 285k
Several options are listed on Amazon, yet the 9700X remains an alternative choice.
it's still decent though—it's similar to Raptor Lake in games but uses more than 50W less. That's not a big deal when power costs over 20 cents per kilowatt-hour. In manufacturing it tends to be better, honestly. People misunderstood the chip because it didn't match the previous generation's performance in gaming, which is why it suddenly seems worse.
I believe the main takeaway this year is recognizing how limited the gamer community's attention can be. I wasn't prepared for the response to Zen 5's release (prior to X3D) since I thought it would be a strong improvement over Zen 4. Seeing it again with Arrow Lake made me think, 'again?'
Sure, the cost is 200 dollars higher than the 14900k, yet it delivers comparable results in productivity and works better for gaming. If the price falls and it hits the market again, it could be a decent option for productivity needs. However, at the moment, I wouldn't suggest it unless you have a strong requirement.
I’m okay with my 12900K, but I was just checking. On day one it was out of stock (new egg), same today. I saw reports about poor sales—like if there’s no stock left and it doesn’t move, liquidation follows (that’s what I was hoping for). Amazon... I don’t see any outside prebuilt machines, which is a mystery. NewEgg still seems okay. Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 appear to be well stocked. So again, ultra9 285k—how many actually made it to market with such a high margin, given the scarcity?
Absolutely, many of the reviewers on YouTube share this view as well.