“Raptor Lake will continue to be abundantly available”: Intel exec makes a case for its older chips as RAM prices soar, but are they actually worth buying in 2026?
Intel has confirmed it has no plans to discontinue production of its 13th and 14th generation Core processors (Raptor Lake), according to Robert Hallock, Intel’s VP and General Manager of the Enthusiast Channel. In an interview with Club386, Hallock stated that Raptor Lake chips are “not going away any time soon,” signaling the company’s commitment to maintaining supply of these older processors.
The announcement comes as PC hardware pricing faces significant pressure, particularly from rising RAM costs, which are making newer and more expensive systems less attractive to budget-conscious consumers. By keeping Raptor Lake in production, Intel is positioning these mature processors as a viable value option for gamers and PC builders seeking performance without the premium costs associated with newer silicon.
The move reflects broader market dynamics where older-generation processors remain competitive, especially in gaming scenarios where CPU bottlenecks are less critical than GPU performance. With Raptor Lake offering proven reliability and sufficient performance for most gaming workloads at lower price points than current-generation chips, Intel’s decision to maintain production addresses genuine consumer demand during a period of elevated component pricing.