Upgrade or downgrade from 13900K to 14700K? You completed the Intel warranty return for 13th and 14th generation chips.
Upgrade or downgrade from 13900K to 14700K? You completed the Intel warranty return for 13th and 14th generation chips.
I sent an RMA to Intel about my 13900K purchased from Micro Center last year for $489.99. They first suggested a replacement CPU, which turned out to be a 14900K. Considering its current price around $440, I declined the offer and requested a refund. The email I received from Intel now influences my choice—opting for the Intel i7-14700K instead of the i9-14900K because it has fewer efficiency cores. This decision could save me at least $100. Since gaming is my main use, I doubt those extra cores will add much value. I had planned to switch back to AMD when the 9800X3D became available, but its limited stock and expected high demand made me hesitate. Also, keeping my ASUS HERO motherboards would cost around $700, which seems excessive compared to what I paid for similar boards on AMD platforms. After installing the 14700K on a Z690 with PTM7950, I updated Windows 11 and adjusted BIOS settings. I found a modest improvement—about -0.07 volts for better performance—and noticed slightly higher FPS in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy 15. Compared to my previous experience, this seems only a small gain. So far, I saved roughly $170 after my refund by choosing the i7. If I go with the i9, the refund would be minimal—around $70. Now I’m unsure if it’s wise to keep the 14700K or try another option like Arrow Lake or the 9800X3D. I could still return it in early next year.
The 14700K works well and you won’t see a significant loss when playing games. I don’t have strong confidence in these CPUs for the future. Intel claims the issue is resolved, the warranty now lasts five years (for K CPUs), and you’re already committed to the system.
I think it’s best to stick with what you have. Thanks for the info. My decision about upgrading to Arrow Lake or AMD won’t change much—both Z890 and X870 models are around $700 each, which is pretty similar. These board prices seem really high these days. I still recall my first hero board was on a Z97, costing only $250 back then. The cheapest Asus boards I’ve seen are Z890-E or X870-E, but even those are $500 each.