With Intel rolling out aggressive CPU price cuts and game bundles, September 2025 has become one of the best times to build or upgrade a gaming PC. From the i5-14600K’s record-breaking discounts to bundled copies of Battlefield 6, the mid-range market is heating up and challenging AMD’s dominance.

Intel CPU Price Cuts Shake Up the Market

Intel’s pricing strategy this month is hard to ignore. The Core i5-14600K has dropped to just $149, and with the Battlefield 6 bundle included, its effective value is closer to $89. Retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and B&H are offering these deals, though stock is already moving quickly.

The Core Ultra series also sees big drops, with the Ultra 245K down to $200 and the Ultra 265K reduced to $260 — both with bundled games. These discounts, combined with lower motherboard prices for B860 and Z890 boards, position Intel as a strong contender in the mid-range gaming segment.

AMD Ryzen CPU Pricing Update

AMD’s Ryzen lineup hasn’t seen the same deep cuts this month, leading to fewer competitive options in the budget range. The Ryzen 5600 remains attractive at $118, but higher-end models like the Ryzen 5700X and Ryzen 5800XT are becoming harder to find.

AMD’s upcoming Ryzen 9500F and 9700F are expected to target Intel’s discounted CPUs, but their launch pricing remains uncertain. With AM4 slowly phasing out and AM5 becoming the focus, Ryzen’s best bets right now are the Ryzen 7600, Ryzen 7600X, and Ryzen 9600X for users seeking future-proof platforms

Best Gaming CPUs in September 2025

For budget builders, the i5-12400F and Ryzen 5600 remain reliable choices, but the i5-14600K dominates thanks to its combination of price, performance, and bundled value.

For mid-range gaming, Intel’s strategy pays off — the i5-14600K edges ahead of Ryzen’s 7600X and 9600X, especially when factoring in motherboard discounts. However, Ryzen still wins for future upgradability if AM5 compatibility is a priority.

High-end gaming remains Ryzen’s territory with the 7800X3D leading in price-to-performance, while the 9800X3D is the choice for pairing with GPUs like the RTX 5090. Intel’s 14700K struggles to compete at this tier unless prices drop further.

Should You Buy Now or Wait?

With Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday approaching, timing matters. However, the current Intel bundles are unlikely to be matched later this year, especially when including the Battlefield 6 promotion.

Battlefield 6 – CPU performance
byu/JBGamingPC inBattlefield

  • Buy Now if:

    • You want Intel’s discounted CPUs and bundled games

    • You’re building a budget or mid-range gaming PC

    • You’re targeting GPUs like the RTX 5070, 5080, or 5090

  • Wait if:

    • You’re focused on Ryzen AM5 builds for future upgrades

    • You’re shopping for high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 9950X

    • You want to bundle your purchase with upcoming GPU deals

For most builders, especially those in the mid-range, September is shaping up to be the best time to buy.