The newly released Intel Core Ultra 7 260K is now available, albeit without any formal announcement. This processor can only be found in two specific prebuilt gaming desktops from Newegg’s ABS brand.
The first model, the Kaze II Aqua, pairs the 260K with an RTX 5060 and is priced at $1,699.99. The second, the Flux II Aqua, is equipped with an RTX 5070 and has a price tag of $1,999.99. Newegg has confirmed that this CPU is exclusive to its ABS systems and will not be sold separately.
According to Tom’s Hardware, Intel has classified the 260K as a “limited-availability” SKU, meaning it does not have a boxed retail version. Specifications for the chip are expected to be available on Intel’s website soon.
Specifications and Performance Insights
Newegg’s buying guide indicates that the 260K is similar to the Core Ultra 7 265K but features a slightly lower maximum clock speed. It maintains the same 8P+12E core configuration, 30 MB of L3 cache, and a base power of 125 W. Furthermore, it supports DDR5-6400 memory for up to 256 GB, though its P-cores have a top clock speed of 5.4 GHz compared to the 5.5 GHz of the 265K.
Notably, the DDR5-6400 support aligns the 260K with the original Arrow Lake family, which means it does not support the higher DDR5-7200 frequency or Intel’s Binary Optimization Tool. Initial listings on Newegg were somewhat confusing, with some references to the 260KF variant, typically denoting no integrated graphics. However, the Flux II page has since clarified the boost clock to be 5.4 GHz. While benchmarks are not yet available, performance is anticipated to be very close to that of the 265K. For those considering a DIY build, the 270K Plus remains a more appealing Intel option.
