Intel Simplifies Packaging for Core i9-13900K & i9-13900KS CPUs

[T0@st]

Intel has informed customers that it is adjusting the retail packaging for two 13th Generation Raptor Lake processors—the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS are popular choices for extreme gamers who demand the best from their CPUs, but did the presence of a premium protective shell also attract certain buyers who enjoy displaying silicon-related mantelpieces? Team Blue will be introducing a more sober looking boxed solution for the aforementioned SKUs - effective in universal and Chinese markets. Intel reasons that it wants to save on the volumetric storage of processors during the shipment process—the smaller box designs will result in a unit increase per pallet. By their estimation this redesign could quadruple the number of boxes in each shipping package - from the previous 324 to a new goal of around 1620.

The Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS were shipped (until recently) in "Tier 4" boxes, but Intel's new cost and space saving drive has the two processors destined to sit in their "Tier 2" retail package which appears to be a standard folding paperboard carton (as seen containing Core i7 and lower end SKUs). The announcement included a set of preview renders, but actual boxed dimensions were not shared in the Product Change Notification (PCN) document. The new packaging regime looks smaller when compared to the older combination of a "premium silver tinted plastic wafer package" plus box sleeve. Team Blue will ultimately shave off a few bucks for themselves in the process, but there is no indication that these savings will be passed onto the end user. Tom's Hardware reckons that a late adjustment to retail packaging could foreshadow the arrival of a successor CPU range—Raptor Lake Refresh is speculated to form the next desktop lineup, since the future of Meteor Lake-S is alleged to be in a precarious state.



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[randomUser]

I'm not sure what material this "wafer" was made of, but it sure looks super cheap and "plasticy".
Looks like total waste of resources.

 

[LabRat 891]

I'm not sure what material this "wafer" was made of, but it sure looks super cheap and "plasticy".
Looks like total waste of resources.

Aye. Nothing of value was lost.
IMO, the corner-view of the 'old, fancy' box looks 'nicer' for display than the fake wafer. -New box looks like an appropriate 'blue' equivalent to AMD's packaging.
It'll still look nice on a shelf, if you like tech-decor.

 

[bobbybluz]

I wonder how much the fancy packaging jacked up the price of my i9 9900K? It's too nice to throw away but totally useless...

 

[Deleted member 185088]

I don't care about packaging, give me the CPU alone and reduce the price.

 

[Tek-Check]

I don't care about packaging, give me the CPU alone and reduce the price.

You do care about packaging, as you and future generations want to live on the clean and less wasteful planet.
Both Intel and AMD should always be critricised for absurdly big CPU packages. Those can easily be reduced 3-4 times.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I'd be fine if all pc part packages came in a simple brown box with only the padding that was necessary. Getting a 4L box for a 1.5L item that didn't need that much padding/space it pretty wasteful.

 

[Chry]

I got my brand new Zen4 chip in package like this:

 

[natr0n]

I got my brand new Zen4 chip in package like this:
View attachment 300529

these are great. in a socket or plastic clam. no in between.

 

[kondamin]

I got my brand new Zen4 chip in package like this:
View attachment 300529

For some reason those are more expensive than those that come in a box. by €20 easy
They offer no protection though.

fine if you go and pick them up, if a postal service needs to handle it, id rather see it in a box protected with some foam.

 

[Chry]

For some reason those are more expensive than those that come in a box. by €20 easy
They offer no protection though.

fine if you go and pick them up, if a postal service needs to handle it, id rather see it in a box protected with some foam.

It was at least 20€ cheaper than the selection in other stores.
Was told they simply receive them in bulk for desktop building and they're in perfect quality otherwise.

 

[trparky]

Was told they simply receive them in bulk for desktop building and they're in perfect quality otherwise.

Do they still have the standard warranty?

 

[chrcoluk]

I wonder how much the fancy packaging jacked up the price of my i9 9900K? It's too nice to throw away but totally useless...

Yeah that packaging was horrible when thinking of storage, not just big but also a bad shape, there must have been pricing overheads for that.

 

[Chry]

Do they still have the standard warranty?

Yes, all is the same. Simply those were units sent to retailers in bulk to be used in desktop building and one store decided to sell them separately so that they could offer better prices.

 

[Bomby569]

i do like a good box, not joking, but it's a waste of money and more garbage. Especially something like this. Keep it simple, i approve this

 

[eidairaman1]

Yes, all is the same. Simply those were units sent to retailers in bulk to be used in desktop building and one store decided to sell them separately so that they could offer better prices.

Thats if they arent serialized for OEM use

 

[AhmadMZ99]

my thoughts is cost cutting and the time for advertising of high end cpu is done on mid-year of generation. i was expected like the 12900K