Intel is keeping Raptor Lake CPUs around for 'years to come' as a cheaper alternative to DDR5-compatible chips

Intel is planning to keep Raptor Lake CPUs in production for years to come, making them a more affordable alternative to DDR5-compatible chips, according to Intel's vice president and general manager of its enthusiast channel business, Robert Hallock. Speaking to Tom's Hardware, Hallock stated that Intel intends to offer 10 nm products like Raptor Lake for years as a core part of their portfolio, with LGA 1700 still being a good socket that many are interested in due to the popularity of DDR4.

Despite DDR5 and DDR4 prices surging in the past year, a good 32 GB DDR4 kit can still be purchased for around $200. Raptor Lake CPUs may become more competitive once again, especially in terms of gaming and productivity performance, as they are still capable of delivering high performance in 2026. While Intel's decision to maintain Raptor Lake CPUs might have been unexpected, it seems that consumers are drawn to older hardware for more reasonable prices.