Who is Winning in the CPU Space?
Who is Winning in the CPU Space?
Sure, in any case, the most affordable Z690 costs around $200, while a 5600x can fit into a $60 B450 setup and still perform adequately for gaming. The B660 might shift that balance.
It's a comparison to other models, isn't it? The X570 Dark Hero isn't particularly affordable, but the Z690 version offers more features like Thunderbolt and PCIe 5.0. It also has more power stages—over 20 compared to 14 on the X570 board. Of course, those upgrades come at a cost, so you pay for them accordingly. The increase in capability isn't just due to better chips; it's about overall performance improvements.
I understand, but affordable Intel boards aren't available yet. The value isn't just about what's inside—it's about cost versus performance. Someone on a tighter budget won't need high-end components. The B660 and H610 should cover this, and the same applies to non-K chips.
Currently B660 isn't available while B550 is. The fairness of any comparison doesn't matter. It's similar to claiming it wasn't fair to compare Rocket Lake to Zen 3 because Alder Lake was nearby, or suggesting the 12400F should be chosen simply because it matches the gaming performance of the 12600K at a lower price than the 5600X. Until those options appear, we'll need to evaluate similar products side by side.