Intel Cuts CPU Prices

Over the weekend Intel slashed prices on some of their desktop CPUs. The processor price cuts include a 14 percent reduction for the Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor running at 2.33GHz. The price was dropped from $224 to $193, and the company also cut the price of its Core 2 Quad Q6600 chip (2.40GHz) by 5 percent from $193 to $183.

Additionly, Intel cut the price of its Core 2 Duo E7300 processor (2.66GH) 15 percent from $133 and $113. Intel also added a new processor – the Core 2 Duo E7400 – to this line of desktop chips. The E7400, which runs at 2.66GHz, will retail for $133.

Intel also slashed prices on some of its lower end CPUs, slashing the prices of two variants of its dual-core Pentium E2200 Allendale processors. The price of the Pentium E2220 chip, which runs at 2.40GHz, dropped 12 percent from $84 to $74, and the Pentium E2200 chip, which runs at 2.20GHz, fell 14 percent from $74 to $64.

Finally, Intel cut the price of two of its Xeon processors by 5 percent. The price of the Xeon X3220 (2.40GHz) and the Xeon X3210 (2.13GHz) each dropped from $198 to $188. All of the Intel price cuts are calculated in shipments of 1,000 units.

The move to cut chip prices comes in anticipation of the release of Intel new processors based on the company’s Nehalem microarchitecture. The first of these processors, which are intended for gaming PCs and high-end desktops, is called the Intel Core i7 chip and it’s scheduled for release in November. In the past, Intel usually cuts processor prices to pave the way for the release of new processors.

Essentially they are slashing prices in order to move some of the current product of the shelves before they release their next line-up. This is great news for anyone not wanting to wait on the new Core i7 platform and wanting to get a new CPU now.