Intel 14th-Gen Raptor Lake Refresh Launch Date Leaked

Intel
(Image credit: Image by Tom's Hardware, mockup by Universal Pictures)

Intel is set to launch its 14th Generation Core 'Raptor Lake Refresh' processors for desktops on October 17, 2023, according to reports from HKEPC and VideoCardz. Traditionally, Intel will start the rollout of its new desktop CPUs with SKUs with unlocked multipliers aimed at enthusiasts.

Intel is reportedly set to release three new desktop processors on October 17: the new flagship Core i9-14900K/KF, Core i7-14700K/KF, and Core i5-14600K/KF, which all have a chance to be among of the best CPUs for gaming. These CPUs will be compatible with existing Intel 600- and Intel 700-series motherboards if they have an appropriate BIOS. Keep in mind that we are dealing with unofficial information that may be inaccurate. Furthermore, Intel may still alter its plans since it is still over a month before the alleged official launch.

You can see the latest leaked feed and speeds for these chips here. Although Intel's 14th Generation Core 'Raptor Lake Refresh' processors rely on the same silicon as its predecessors, the new family of CPUs promises to offer considerable performance advantages over existing Intel products. The new flagship boosts clock speeds for its high-performance and energy-efficiency cores, which will improve its performance both in single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Other SKUs will gain performance thanks to both an increase in core count and higher frequencies. 

For example, Intel's Core i7-14700K will pack eight Performance cores clocked at 3.40 GHz – 5.60 GHz and 12 Efficiency cores, which is four cores more than the Core i7-13700K has. This will make the new part designed for demanding gamers considerably more capable than its ancestor.

It is noteworthy that Intel's 14th Generation Core family for laptops will rely on both next-generation Meteor Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs.

Anton Shilov
Freelance News Writer

Anton Shilov is a Freelance News Writer at Tom’s Hardware US. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

  • peachpuff
    *yawn*
    Reply
  • plusev
    A paper launch technically isn't a launch. People won't be getting their hands on these until mid November at the earliest.

    Anyway, I'm long overdue for an upgrade, but I'll wait for real world results before pulling the trigger. My 10th gen i7 is still going strong despite showing its age.
    Reply
  • Tom Sunday
    plusev said:
    A paper launch technically. My 10th gen i7 is still going strong despite showing its age.

    Indeed…a paper launch. As usual OEM’s always trying to get into peoples pocket just in time for the Holiday Season or around Thanksgiving! If I would be looking for a CPU upgrade now, the timing to purchasing a refresh of the existing Intel architecture is bad as in another 6-8 months the much better and more meaningful performing 15th generation will be on our doorstep. I wonder however how much discounted the Intel 14th generation will be by June 2024 for the man on the street and who usually keeps his desktop CPU between 5-6 years. Or now even a few years more as the stalled economy especially for non-essential goods is here to stay for some time to come!

    If I had to estimate a 2024 budget for a 15900K upgrade, it would probably sit right around $1,500 as a new premium MB and DDR5 memory will be necessary. Perhaps a new AIO as well as the oversized 15th gen processor heatspreader would sit at a different height to current CPUs meaning that existing coolers might not be compatible with 15th Gen CPUs. Surely adaptor kits will be proffered, but would a real ‘tech-bro’ shell out $1,500 or more and use a adaptor-kit to satisfy a AIO OEM refreshing his own and or existing architecture. Interesting tech times ahead!
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    Tom Sunday said:
    Indeed…a paper launch.
    A paper launch is when a company launches a product on paper...but doesn't make nearly enough units to satisfy the demand. There is no sign that intel will not supply enough units.
    Tom Sunday said:
    As usual OEM’s always trying to get into peoples pocket just in time for the Holiday Season or around Thanksgiving!
    But that's when people have money to buy useless things that they don't really need, of course that's when the market will showcase/offer them.
    Tom Sunday said:
    If I would be looking for a CPU upgrade now, the timing to purchasing a refresh of the existing Intel architecture is bad as in another 6-8 months the much better and more meaningful performing 15th generation will be on our doorstep.
    What leak are you basing this on?! Everything I saw says end of 2024, so the 15th gen will release 12 months after the 14th gen and the 14th gen is still at least one month away.
    While there are many that can wait one more year, there also many that have to buy this year.
    Tom Sunday said:
    Surely adaptor kits will be proffered, but would a real ‘tech-bro’ shell out $1,500 or more and use a adaptor-kit to satisfy a AIO OEM refreshing his own and or existing architecture. Interesting tech times ahead!
    Because upgraders are the number one customer group?!
    There is a guaranteed level of sales for computers every year. Because we are not in 1969 anymore.
    Also, yes, if this will be true "much better and more meaningful performing 15th generation " then people will pay to upgrade.
    Reply
  • mac_angel
    I might be remembering wrong, but didn't Intel say they were losing the "i" in the naming scheme? I kinda figured this 'release' might be more about changing the naming than big speed increase.
    Reply