Intel is currently working hard to prepare its next generation of processors, the 11th Gen Core CPUs, along with the accompanying Z590 platform, which will compete with the well-received AMD Ryzen 5000 Series. The latest rumor suggests that Intel's unveiling is not far away, but that the timing of the 11th Gen CPU launches will be a little unusual.
The news comes from hardware site Wccftech, whose sources claim that the full Intel 11th Gen Core CPU line-up, known as Rocket Lake, will be unveiled alongside the Z590 motherboards at CES 2021. Intel's keynote is believed to take place on the appropriate date of January 11, 2021, and the leak suggests that the Z590 motherboards will be made available the very same day.
However, the rumor also suggests that gamers buying Z590 motherboards early will be reliant on existing 10th Gen CPUs, with the new 11th Gen CPUs not expected to launch until late March 2021. Intel is expected to keep selling several of the existing 10th Gen models, to help it compete more strongly with AMD Ryzen. In particular, the current flagship i9-10900K is likely to remain, with popular models such as the i7-10700K and i5-10600K likely candidates.
Given the hugely positive reception and sales demand for AMD's Ryzen 5000 Series, it makes sense for Intel to mix together the new CPUs with the most popular of the current generation. This will better allow it to maintain strong pricing on the new hardware, and use price cuts on the existing CPUs to provide a broad range of competitive options versus AMD. In particular, with the i9-11900K dropping down to 8-cores to focus on per-core performance, it makes sense for Intel to keep the i9-10900K in production as an option for those who are specifically looking for 10-cores.
Launching a new generation of motherboards before the new CPUs is an unusual move, but at least with backwards compatibility existing 10th Gen CPU owners won't be stuck with a useless piece of expensive hardware for two months. Hopefully the delay will allow Intel to build up a substantial stock of the new processors before launch, preventing yet another case of new hardware selling out instantly to scalpers.
Price cuts on the 10th Gen CPUs will also help to spread demand across a range of processors, rather than just two or three models. This could allow Intel to regain some market share from AMD Ryzen, simply by having stock available.
Intel's 11th Gen Core CPUs are expected to launch in March 2021.
Source: Wccftech