Intel Cuts Prices of Various Desktop Processors

[btarunr]

Intel has formalized a wide range of price cuts and changes for processor models from across various segments and platforms. The most noteworthy of these include addition of new SKUs, and repositioning (price-cuts) of certain SKUs. To begin with, Intel formally introduced the Core i7 970 six-core desktop processor. This "non-XE" model comes with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz, and Turbo speeds of 3.43 GHz, and is based on the 32 nm Gulftown die. Earlier expected to be in the $500~$600 range by sections of the press, the SKU is positioned at $885, a mere $115 cheaper than the Core i7 980X Extreme Edition (which is priced at $999).

Most of the action lies in the LGA1156 platform, with the Core i7 870 getting a massive 47.6% price cut, sending its price plummeting down to $294, from $562. This cut may have been influenced by the Core i7 875K, which is a multiplier-unlocked SKU which is priced just a little under $350, with the same clock speeds as the i7 870. Interestingly, no price changes for the i7 860 were noted. An energy-efficient variant of the i7 870, the 870s, was introduced, it is priced at $351.



The Core i5 760 is another new entry, this processor carries the same clock speeds as the i7 860 (2.80 GHz), except that it doesn't come with HyperThreading Technology, and its northbridge is clocked at 2.13 GHz, like the i5 750, unlike 2.40 GHz on the i7 800 series. This one goes for $205, just $5 more than the i5 750. Further down, the i3 540 dual-core processor got a price cut to $117, and LGA775 Pentium Dual Core processor models E6600 and E5500 also got small price cuts.

Finally, the socket LGA1156 Xeon X3470, which carries specifications similar to the Core i7 870, got its price cut down by a large 44.3% to $328.

[Melvis]

I hope that will filter down to over here as the i7 -870 is over $660 here.

But this is a good thing, wonder what AMD will do in response? nothing i would think.

[sapetto]

That price cut on the i7 870 is sweet! Darn it , in my country it will not drop to this price for sure

[CounterZeus]

my local shop lowered the price of the i3 540 today to €145 >_<

[_JP_]

EOL processors should also get a price cut as well...
For example, the E6600 now sits at $85, there's no reason for the E7600 to still be at some $130...imo.
Anyways, here, I don't see anything happening. Even the HD 5830 that supposedly were price dropped, they actually got more expensive.

[cauby]

So Intel just confirmed that the i7 970 is just not worth.I mean,c'mon if you're already paying almost $900 bucks,why not pay a thousand already and get the best CPU?

[WarEagleAU]

I agree Cauby but at least they were rather quick with the price cuts. I personally would love AMD to lower the prices on their Hex cores, even though they are pretty cheap as it is. I just don;'t see that happening as I said, they are pretty cheap.

[Kreij]

Originally Posted by cauby

So Intel just confirmed that the i7 970 is just not worth.I mean,c'mon if you're already paying almost $900 bucks,why not pay a thousand already and get the best CPU?

They are almost certainly going to be over $900. The $885 is the quantity price for lots of 1000.

[newtekie1]

I've been wondering how long it was going to take Intel to drop the 870 price. They released the 875K, a better processor obviously, at $320 and left the 870 at $560. How stupid.

Originally Posted by Kreij

They are almost certainly going to be over $900. The $885 is the quantity price for lots of 1000.

$899 at newegg, but yeah if you are spending that kind of cash, spend the extra $100 and go with the 980X. The 970 should be priced closer to the 960, I could see maybe $699, but more realistically $599.

I'd be happier if they started replacing the 930, 950, and 960 with 935, 955, and 965 processor based on 32nm Gulftown at the same clock speeds and price points.

[Laurijan]

Originally Posted by btarunr

except that it doesn't come with HyperThreading Technology, and its northbridge is clocked at 2.13 GHz, like the i5 750, unlike 2.40 GHz on the i7 800 series.

Since when do CPUs have northbridges - isnt that a term only for a chipset?

[hat]

Since socket 1156.

[popswala]

I'd like to see price drops on mobile chips. Sure like to upgrade mine someday.

[Laurijan]

Originally Posted by hat

Since socket 1156.

I should read up more then

[logan]

it only affects the most expensive processors, doesnt seem like a big deal to the average user unless they discontinue the 860, and even then, it's just a bump in multiplier. looks like they also cut the core i3 530.

[CDdude55]

Damn, and i wanted a 970.(was hoping for a more mainstream price)

Some nice price cuts for the other CPU's though.

[Yukikaze]

Hmm. Looks like I'll be keeping my 975EE until LGA2011 arrives.

[Bot]

the only significant cut is for the i7 870 and the xeon equivalent and really thats where they should have been priced in the first place as they are only a very insignificant amount faster then the i7 860.
the e7400 will get the axe and i would imagine that other E7xxx will follow suite soon, probably thining out the E8xxx series soon as well.

[mastrdrver]

So when are they anouncing the price cut for the i7 950 to what the 930 is currently at?