Core Ultra 7 265K CPU at $259 – 97% of Ultra 9 285K gaming for $260 less
▼ Summary
– The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is available for $259 on Amazon, including two free games (Civilization VIII and Dying Light: The Beast) worth $99 and several software subscriptions.
– Newegg offers the same CPU for $298 bundled with an MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 360mm AIO cooler, effectively making the cooler cost $39 after factoring in the CPU deal.
– The Core Ultra 7 265K features a 20-core setup (8 P-cores, 12 E-cores) with base speeds of 3.9 GHz and 3.3 GHz, boost speeds up to 5.4 GHz, and supports overclocking.
– The processor delivers 97% of the gaming performance of the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K but costs $260 less, though it lags slightly in multi-threaded tasks.
– Compared to the previous-gen Core i9-14900K, the Core Ultra 7 265K offers slightly lower gaming (10% less) and multi-threaded performance (under 5% difference).
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is currently one of the best-value gaming CPUs on the market, delivering near-flagship performance at a fraction of the price. Available for just $259 on Amazon, this 20-core processor comes bundled with two free games, Civilization VIII and Dying Light: The Beast, worth $99, making the deal even sweeter. Originally priced at $404, this 36% discount positions the 265K as an unbeatable choice for budget-conscious gamers and content creators alike.
For those prioritizing cooling performance, Newegg offers an alternative deal at $298, which includes an MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 360mm AIO cooler, a $109 value on its own. Factoring in the bundled cooler, the effective cost of the CPU drops to just $39, making it a steal for enthusiasts looking to maximize thermal efficiency.
Performance-wise, the Core Ultra 7 265K holds its own against Intel’s flagship models. With eight P-cores and 12 E-cores, base clocks of 3.9 GHz and 3.3 GHz, and boost speeds reaching 5.4 GHz and 4.6 GHz, it delivers 97% of the gaming performance of the pricier Core Ultra 9 285K, while costing $260 less. While the 285K pulls ahead in multi-threaded workloads by 18%, the difference in single-threaded tasks is negligible at just 2%.
Compared to last-gen alternatives like the Core i9-14900K, the 265K trails slightly in gaming performance by 10%, though multi-threaded differences shrink to under 5%. Given the substantial price gap, the 265K presents a far better value proposition for most users.
Beyond raw performance, Intel sweetens the deal with its CPU Spring Bundle, which includes:
- Civilization VII and Dying Light: The Beast (free game downloads)
- A three-month Canvid subscription
- A 30-day Vegas Pro 365 trial
- A three-month XSplit Broadcaster license
For shoppers hunting deeper discounts, additional Amazon Prime Day deals cover everything from SSDs and GPUs to gaming monitors and storage solutions. Whether building a new rig or upgrading an existing one, the Core Ultra 7 265K stands out as a top-tier choice for balancing cost and capability.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
