AMD’s Zen 4 processor has established itself on the list of the best CPUs. However, the non-X models seem to be losing their appeal in China. Ryzen 9 7900, Ryzen 7 7700, and Ryzen 5 7600 are selling below their respective suggested retail prices.
AMD announced its Ryzen 7000 lineup in September 2022, followed by the release of the Ryzen 7000 non-X edition in January of this year. The 65W Ryzen 7000 chip feels competitive with the rival 13th Gen Raptor Lake non-K processors which were announced around the same time.According to Chinese media reports my driver (opens in new tab), the Chinese retailer has slashed the prices of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 non-X processors. Some retailers are running additional promotions on top of the discount, further reducing prices by up to $10.
The opposite is true for the US market. Ryzen 7000 non-X processors hold their value. The Ryzen 9 7900, Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen 5 7600 are still $429, $329 and $229 respectively. Certain stores such as Micro Center are selling Zen 4 chips for $10-$30 below MSRP, depending on the SKU. But it is not a widespread phenomenon.
| processor | JD.com price | Microcenter price | Manufacturer’s suggested retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risen 9 7900 | $371 | $399 | $429 |
| Risen 7 7700 | $283 | $319 | $329 |
| Risen 5 7600 | $210 | $219 | $229 |
The 65W version of the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 7900, retails for $371 in China, which is around 14% cheaper than its MSRP. Similarly, the non-X version of the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 7 7700, is 14% cheaper in the Chinese market than in the US market. The Ryzen 5 7600 has the lowest price drop of the trio at 8% below the official suggested retail price.
For consumers who don’t need a lot of firepower, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 non-X processors are a great option, especially when paired with a 65W Zen 4 chip and an affordable AM5 motherboard. It’s taken a while, but we’re finally seeing his AM5 motherboards at $125, the $125 starting price AMD promised. AMD still has a trump card. It’s the even cheaper A620 chipset. The chipmaker has not confirmed when he can expect A620 motherboards. Judging by the chipmaker’s previous cadence with 500-series chipsets, A620 motherboards could launch in the middle of this year.
AMD’s departure from DDR4 means that even lower-end A620 and B650 motherboards have improved prices, but will have to settle for DDR5, which is much more expensive than their older counterparts. At least with cheap motherboards, the AM5 platform may finally be within reach for consumers on a really tight budget.
