Intel Price Cuts Expected In The Third Quarter

DigiTimes has reported that Intel is planning to cut the prices of its desktop processors in the 3Q08. Along with the price cuts will come the launch of more quad-core and dual-core models, according to sources.

The performance-level Core 2 Quad Q9650 with a core frequency of 3GHz will launch priced at $530, while the Core 2 Quad Q9550 will drop around 40% from its original price of $530 to $316.

The Core 2 Quad 9450, currently priced at US$316, will be phased out and replaced by the Core 2 Quad 9400 at 2.66GHz priced at $266. The Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Q6700 will both be phased out at the same time too, leaving the Q6600 as the only 65nm quad-core CPU left in Intel's lineup, and which will drop from US$224 to US$203. (The Q6600 can currently be found sub $200 at microcenter)

For dual-core CPUs, Intel will launch the Core 2 Duo E8600 at 3.33GHz and US$266, and will phase out the Core 2 Duo E8300. The company will also drop pricing for the Core 2 Duo E8500 and E8400 from US$266 and US$183 to US$183 and US$163, respectively.

Intel will also add the Core 2 Duo E7300 at 2.66GHz and US$133 to its entry-level line and to drop the price of its Core 2 Duo E7200 from US$133 to US$113.

Source: DigiTimes