AMD is quietly upgrading some of its first-generation Ryzen processors from the older 14nm process to the 12nm process. An updated 12nm version of the hex-core Ryzen 5 1600 is already out there, and now the quad-core Ryzen 3 1200 joins it.

When you consider the fact that you can get this updated chip for as low as 55 euros, it suddenly looks like one of the most affordable gaming CPUs on the market right now. We asked AMD for some background on the recent update. [The new Ryzen 3 1200 is a 12nm 2nd generation Ryzen part developed to replace the 1st generation Ryzen 3 1200.

"This is because the 1st gen Ryzen 3 1200 was based on older 14nm wafers, which we can no longer supply.

"So we developed an updated part to serve the market where Ryzen 3 1200 is still very important and popular. We did not want to confuse the market with another part number and were willing to keep the name as there is no downside for the consumer."

"We wanted to keep the name of the part as it is still very important to the market.

The new versions of these chips also have a revised architecture. Essentially, you get a Zen+ version of a first-generation chip for not much more cash; with Zen+, the boost level is controlled by core load, current, and core temperature, which in effect means a slight increase in performance. This differs from the original Zen, where boost was controlled primarily by the number of cores used. Cache access is also improved in the new Zen+.

Basically, this means a better chip overall.

But how do we know we are buying the newer 12nm version of the Ryzen 3 1200 over the original 14nm SKU? is different from the original YD1200BBAEBOX.

You may' need to rush out and buy one of these new Ryzen 3 1200s. There is a lot to be said for these capable CPUs if you can find them cheap enough wherever you are. But if you can get them for around $55, they will be almost second to none in terms of raw performance. [If you can get your hands on the new Ryzen 3 1200 (12nm), you may need to update the BIOS on your X370 or B350 motherboard.

There is also a slight problem here, and that is that AMD just announced the $100 Ryzen 3 3100 will be available soon, which looks like a very tasty budget product.