Intel’s 12th Gen desktop processors are now 10% more expensive for PC builders. The chipmaker has quietly raised the SEP (suggested price) of the Alder Lake parts more than a year after their retail release. As spotted by TomsHardware, the higher-end offerings will now be up to $60 pricier, surprisingly making them more expensive than the next-gen Raptor Lake chips. This can only mean a price hike for the 13th Gen lineup is on the horizon.
| Original MSRP | Revised MSRP | Percentage Increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-12900K | $589 | $648 | 10% |
| Core i9-13900K | $589 | – | – |
| Core i7-12700K | $409 | $450 | 10% |
| Core i7-13700K | $419 | – | – |
| Core i5-12600K | $289 | $318 | 10% |
| Core i5-12400 | $192 | $211 | 10% |
| Core i3-12100 | $122 | $134 | 10% |
Earlier this year, Intel stated that it would raise the prices of its 12th Gen processors but refrained from making any further comments on the matter. After suffering a $500 million loss, the chipmaker again issued the same statement. The aforementioned price increase is finally coming into play at a time when Intel is firmly in control of the desktop processor market, with what can be described as its strongest portfolio since Skylake.
Unfortunately for gamers on a budget, the 10% markup has been applied across the board, including the non-K and F variants popular among mainstream users. With all that said, the revised prices haven’t hit the retail market yet. Newegg, Amazon, and Microcenter are selling the 12th Gen family below their original MSRPs. The same can be said for the 13th Gen parts and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 stack. It’ll be interesting to see how the market reacts to this price hike if it reacts at all.
