Intel's high-end "Arrow Lake" processors are now more affordable, with the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF priced below $250 US at major American retailers. Intel has officially reduced its suggested retail prices from $399 to $309 and from $384 to $294 in recent weeks. Today, shoppers can get the unlocked Core Ultra 7 265K for $239.99 and the graphics-disabled 265KF for $229.99 at Micro Center, representing a roughly 40 percent discount off launch pricing.
Micro Center is offering a bundle deal with the 265K, including an ASUS Z890 AYW Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard and a 32 GB G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6000 memory kit for $499, saving buyers approximately $70 compared to purchasing the components separately. Newegg is offering a free 16 GB Patriot Viper Venom DDR5-6400 kit with the 265K, while Amazon's Spring Bundle includes two full-price PC games, Dying Light: The Beast and Civilization VII, plus software licenses valued at $159.
Internationally, similar markdowns are seen across Intel's Arrow Lake‑S lineup. In the UK, LambdaTek lists the Core Ultra 9 285 K at £481.18, the 265K at £234.04, and the 265KF at £230.97. The mid-range Core Ultra 5 245 K and 245KF are priced under £220. With their 20 cores and strong multithreaded performance, the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF are now standout options in the sub‑$250 segment, especially when bundled with motherboards, memory, and games. Consumers should consider these productivity gains against expected Arrow Lake gaming results and keep an eye on AMD's upcoming 3D V‑Cache processors, which are set to increase competition in the under‑$300 market later this year.
