Price Drops on Intel CPUs

[BestOffer]

Effective April 23, 2006 Intel will reduce prices on select boxed desktop and mobile processors sold through authorized distributors

The percentage decline of Intel’s published 1000-unit processor price is listed below. This percentage of price decline is similar to the price decline for Intel boxed processors sold to authorized distributors. Intel Dealers should expect to see similar percentage declines in their quoted boxed processor prices from authorized distributors. The new prices are effective as of April 23rd for desktop and mobile processors. Please contact your authorized Intel distributor after such dates for specific pricing and availability details.


Celeron® processor 3.33 Ghz, LGA775 package 355 33%*
Celeron® processor 3.20 Ghz, LGA 775 package 351 35%*
Celeron® processor 3.20 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 350 42%*
Celeron® processor 3.06 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 345 45%*
Celeron® processor 2.93 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 340 35%*
Celeron® processor 2.80 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 335 33%*
Celeron® processor 2.66 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 330 35%*
Celeron® processor 2.53 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 325 38%*
Celeron® processor 2.40 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 320 38%*
Celeron® processor 2.26 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 315 23%*
Celeron® processor 2.13 Ghz, mPGA 478 package 310 25%*

Pentium D® processor 3.40 Ghz, LGA775 package 950 50%*
Pentium D® processor 3.20 Ghz, LGA775 package 940 42%*
Pentium D® processor 3.00 Ghz, LGA775 package 930 36%*
Pentium D® processor 2.80 Ghz, LGA775 package 920 17%*
Pentium D® processor 2.80 Ghz, LGA775 package 820 17%*

*OFF the current price

[eh^]

good to know ..thanks

[burnaby]

How long before this filters into TD MoBo/CPU combo deal or is the $80 rock bottom already.

[lithiumli]

shouldn't it be in the computer section?

[riskit]

Pentium D® processor 3.40 Ghz, LGA775 package 950 50% That is a huge

[blainehamilton]

This is gonna make celery chips very cheap...

[huntlaptop]

Will AMD drop their prices too?

[Slapshot747]

ok what does this mean?... companies like dell will be dropping there prices?...maybe i should wait to buy a PC now?

[mec9t8]

Might be off topic, right now which processor is good to get for a media center computer .. (value and performance)

[Lalalalalalalafontaine]

Will AMD drop their prices too?

They'll probably have to. The reported performance and pricing on the new Conroe chips seem to good to be true. Plus, AMD's launching their new chips pretty soon too. Only makes sense to slash their old ones.

If the schedule fits, the best time to buy/upgrade would probably be about August or September.

Competition = good.

[vric]

pccanada and Bitewize alreadu droped the price.

But, don't rush getting one. Intel will release the Intel "Core" Cpu (Conroe) this summer. It's very promising and it will be the SAME price as right now. so it really worth to wait and get an extra 20%-40% boost for the same price.

This is the last run for the Pentium 4.. Finally, Netburst is dead.. Long life to the Core microarchitecture !

[huntlaptop]

Competition = good.

Absolutely! :)

[ZenOps]

If you are looking for an extry level Intel system and can wait a bit, I'd highly suggest you do.

Coming very soon are the Celeron D 352 (3.2Ghz) and 356 (3.33Ghz) They will both have 512KB cache (similar to the original Pentium 4) and should be made on the 65nm process. All current Celeron D's are 256KB cache, and either made on 90 or 130nm.

[Lalalalalalalafontaine]

Might be off topic, right now which processor is good to get for a media center computer .. (value and performance)

For a purely Media Centre PC, for simply watching movies, videos, tv, etc... (ie. no need for encoding) then a basic Sempron 2800+ (~ $80-$90) should do. I chose the Sempron because it only dissipates 62 watts - by far the best price-per-watt. (Mobile chips will run even cooler but cost you a premium)

If you want something that can do it all, wait for Conroe to come out - these chips seem like the real deal and be priced quite low.

[Vitulla]

for media center get yourself a pentium d 805, with an aftermarket heatsink and fan

[Badger]

Wow, no wonder Dell PC's are so cheap nowadays. Dell probably got these kind of price drop on Intel CPUs a few months before consumers did.

[kingsley]

Wow, no wonder Dell PC's are so cheap nowadays. Dell probably got these kind of price drop on Intel CPUs a few months before consumers did.

hmm....good one

[dogbolter]

hmmm...(sits and waits for the AMD price drop)

[sparrow_69]

The price on the Pentium D 950 looks interesting. Anyone know what this cpu compares to on the AMD-side, game-wise? I've owned AMD cpus for such a long time now (my last Intel cpu was a P3-733) that I really have no idea anymore.

[sparrow_69]

NVM: I found a review
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-d-920-930_11.html

Man, these intel cpus are awful when it comes to games. They get their a** handed to them by AMD

[Badger]

NVM: I found a review
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-d-920-930_11.html

Man, these intel cpus are awful when it comes to games. They get their a** handed to them by AMD

Not to mention, most of the CPUs Intel sell never outrun any AMD CPUs in price and performance.

1 Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ can outrun a Pentium D 950 in all games and some applications according to Tom's Hardware. Price gap is huge though.

Pentium D 950 $853.06
Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ $594.26

from NCIX.

[guest3721]

Just wait for Conroe, which is just around the corner.

[Breitling]

Not to mention, most of the CPUs Intel sell never outrun any AMD CPUs in price and performance.

1 Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ can outrun a Pentium D 950 in all games and some applications according to Tom's Hardware. Price gap is huge though.

Pentium D 950 $853.06
Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ $594.26

from NCIX.


NCIX is currently raping you on the D 950, they haven't reduced their prices yet. As seen above the 950 should be 425ish after 50% price reduction.

So 595 vs 425.

Although many would prob settle for the 4200 over the 950, anyway.

[LNahid2000]

PcCanada has reduced their prices on them. The 950 is now $400 there.

http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=4208

[michael1996]

Just wait for Conroe, which is just around the corner.

Get the lowest conroe and oc it. :D

[vric]

Not to mention, most of the CPUs Intel sell never outrun any AMD CPUs in price and performance.

1 Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ can outrun a Pentium D 950 in all games and some applications according to Tom's Hardware. Price gap is huge though.

Pentium D 950 $853.06
Athlon 64 X-2 4400+ $594.26

from NCIX.

Pentium D950 is now 399$ The X2 is about $200 more.

Anyway, Pentium D is the last run of the Netburst interface. I'm waiting this summer to upgrade. Buying a computer right now is just shooting you on the foot. It's not just a new evolution that is near by, it's a whole new technology that look VERY promising.

Conroe CPU is the thing to get this summer. First bench show an intel Core at $600 outrunning an Athlon FX-62 (FX-60 overclocked at 2.8Ghz) by 25% to 40% !! And this CPU cost near $1300

Personally, I will get the first dual core Conroe that have a price set to $309us and is only 200mhz less than the one that kill the FX-62. And they will run much cooler. (65W)

Sure, AMD might come with something new, but this year will be Intel Year with new, very fast CPU.

So, if you need a computer right now, this price cut is nice and offer you Pentium D940 /950 for nice price. But if you look to upgrade, wait until the Conroe is out, and make your mind there (if AMD can't hold the speed, they will have to drop a lot the price)

[blainehamilton]

If you really want a cheap overclock, an old celeron or P4 m cpu from a laptop in a compatible socket 478 mobo. Plus these chips use 30 to 35 watts...

[vric]

If you really want a cheap overclock, an old celeron or P4 m cpu from a laptop in a compatible socket 478 mobo. Plus these chips use 30 to 35 watts...

Those are killer, but still quite Expensive

Like the new Core Duo CPU too

[neo1973]

Intel Conroe chips priced up

Desktop Road Maps 960 to launch on 30 April

By Mike Magee: Thursday 20 April 2006, 11:09

ROAD MAPS SPOTTED papering the walls of the Porcupine Pub in Leicester Square today show how Intel will price the Conroe family at its launch in the third quarter of this year.
The E6700, which is a 2.67GHz chip with 4MB of cache and a 1066 front side bus will cost $529 while the E6600, a 2.40GHz version will cost $315. The other two members of the Intel Cointreau family have 2MB of cache apiece, with the E6400 (2.13GHz) costing $240, while the E6300 (1.86GHz) will cost $210.

On the 30th of April, Intel will introduce the 800MHz bus 960 chip, priced at $531. The next slated price cuts are on the 23rd of April, with the 950, the 940, the 930 and the 920 all dropping in price. The price for these old warrior will fall further when the Conroe processors make their debut on the world's stage.

Expect heavy discounting on the 6XX family as Intel says hello to the new lamps and goodbye to the old.

There are also price cuts coming on the good old Celeron as Intel readies 65 nanometre chips the 356 (3.33GHz) and the 352 (3.2GHz) at the end of May. These 533MHz bus chips have 512K of cache and will cost $90 and $80 respectively. There are price cuts on the existing Celerons this week.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31126

[BestOffer]

PcCanada has reduced their prices on them. The 950 is now $400 there.

http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=4208

anyone wants the idea, the following is what i can get for...(from Vancouver)

Pentium D processor 3.40 Ghz, LGA775 package 950 $415
Pentium D processor 3.20 Ghz, LGA775 package 940 $329
Pentium D processor 3.00 Ghz, LGA775 package 930 $275

[michael1996]

http://www.mikeshardware.co.uk/CPUPricesIntel.htm

[transnote]

anyone wants the idea, the following is what i can get for...(from Vancouver)

Pentium D processor 3.40 Ghz, LGA775 package 950 $415
Pentium D processor 3.20 Ghz, LGA775 package 940 $329
Pentium D processor 3.00 Ghz, LGA775 package 930 $275

The price cuts have hit retail as well in some places

Pentium D950 3.4GHz EM64T XD Dual Core w/2x2MB 800MHz FSB Retail

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=009737&cid=CPU.84
$829 at Canada Computers

http://www.logiccomputerhouse.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=9910
$479 at Logic

[mahjongmaniac]

hm... so where's the price drop on AMD CPUs? ;)



btw, OP, shouldnt' this be in computer forums...

[super_paws]

I don't like the fact about looking at benchmark numbers. Although AMD's do bench much higher, it doesn't look into consideration other factors. For example, a 920 would load a game perfectly at say 80fps and would not lag or be choppy. An equivalent in my experience would have 120fps sure, but you can feel the choppiness which doens't affect fps. I've had tons of trouble even with lagginess with AMDs. Not to stereotype but my next system will be an Intel. Great price drops on the Preslers.

[itsyours]

Unless the new chipsets that support Conroe cheap enough (means new MBs), the next Intel upgrade will be expensive.

[super_paws]

Unless the new chipsets that support Conroe cheap enough (means new MBs), the next Intel upgrade will be expensive.

975x should support conroe

[ShaTR]

they have tested conroe's in modified 775 board (modified to suply lower voltage, as its a 65nm chip)

i wouldn't touch any intel cpu's until conroe comes out. seems pretty crazy.

but i guess if you wanna be ready for it, and need a rig right now, a celery and board may be good preperation well priced. just make sure its using a chipset that will be compatible with conroe (975x someone mentioned??)

oh, btw, i own 7 intel desktops, 2 intel notebooks, and 3 AMD systems, and the AMD's are better gamers hands down. same vid card in my sempron 2800 @ 2.55 vs my P4 3.0 @ 3.8Ghz, the sempron MURKS the intel.

If, however, your multitasking or programming/compiling/video editing, etc, go intel.

If you can get by without an upgrade for now, wait for conroe!! i know im getting one when they come out :D

[mrken]

Interesting news!

When should I buy a notebook computer? I do not need the latest technology. Right now I am looking at something with a Pentium M or a Core Duo CPU.

Should I wait until the start of the fall school term to buy a notebook? Will prices on current notebooks be dropping? My Dell CPi (400 MHz Celery) just died...

[ShaTR]

currently, pentium M's tend to be good competitors. Only intel's i would touch right now.

If your going for a laptop, and can find a Pentium M for a good price, go for it. but i would think that a 65nm mobile version of conroe would be even better at battery consumption and performance. if you need one now, time is money, so get one. otherwise, id wait for conroe mobile.

anyone know intel's plans for dothan prices???? reducing? staying the same?

[xwar]

Sweet, almost time to build a new pc :cheesygri

[vric]

IF I remember, at the end of summer, when the Conroe will be released, there will be another price cut. The 950 should drop of $100-$150 again

They really want to clear them before Conroe.

[Snocow]

Sweet, almost time to build a new pc :cheesygri

I wanna build my own laptop....I just wish I could puy the parts somewhere...

[billybee]

If you're only using the PC to surf and watch movies and want it now, the price drop is good.

[Hugh]

When should I buy a notebook computer? I do not need the latest technology. Right now I am looking at something with a Pentium M or a Core Duo CPU.

Should I wait until the start of the fall school term to buy a notebook? Will prices on current notebooks be dropping?Prices almost always go down. In my experience, the amazing deals that I've found match good prices from 4 to 8 months later (very roughly).

If you need a notebook this summer, buy one for the summer. Otherwise wait.

BTW, the Dell deal today for the 710m looks quite good if you value a small notebook. I would guess that that model will soon be replaced with one based on the Intel Core. If you don't mind size, the Dell 6400 (based on Core Duo) has been priced well in recent sales. Other brands may be better or worse -- I've not really noticed.

In general, it seems as if notebooks have come down quite a bit in the last year or two. Who knows, maybe that trajectory will continue.

If Vista were on time, that would drive some remarkable hardware changes. It appears to be quite the pig. (I must admit that I'm a Linux bigot. BTW, Intel-based notebooks are often more Linux-friendly -- Intel supports open source drivers for their video and wireless chips.)

[elty]

For all those Conroe lovers... so after you wait for 6 months, AMD will prbably have another chip coming in 6 months again that will outpace the Conroe... are you going to wait again? If the wait is like a month or 2, then sure. But it makes no sense if you have to wait 6 months for a new CPU that will be in tight supply (probably only Dell will get them in the 1st month).

Just buy whatever that's good for u now. If you don't need a new computer, then even if Conroe comes out today you still don't need one.

[vric]

For all those Conroe lovers... so after you wait for 6 months, AMD will prbably have another chip coming in 6 months again that will outpace the Conroe... are you going to wait again? If the wait is like a month or 2, then sure. But it makes no sense if you have to wait 6 months for a new CPU that will be in tight supply (probably only Dell will get them in the 1st month).

Just buy whatever that's good for u now. If you don't need a new computer, then even if Conroe comes out today you still don't need one.

Conroe should be released in July or August.. That's 3 or 4 months.
And you will always wait if you want the latest product. But the point is the Conroe is MUCH better than the current product. That worth the wait.

They don't talk about small performance boost like usual (like the 9xx series vs 8xx series that gave 5% or the 8xx vs the 5xx series that gave 15% at best in multitasking) Now, they talk about 70% to 100% gain for the same price. That's worth the wait.

The last new CPU generation was 6 years ago, when Pentium 4 and Net-burst was introduced ! Or 3 years ago, when Athlon 64 was released.

So it's been 3 years (AMD) or 6 years (Intel) since something really new was released. We don't talk about the small upgrade every 6 month.

I was about to upgrade for an Athlon64 X2-4200, but I choose to wait since the Conroe look so much better (will see if it's true or not, worst case I will end up with an X2 4800 for the same price I wanted to put on the 4200 in 3 months)

If you NEED a computer upgrade now, don't wait. But if you have a decent computer and want something new, wait few month to see what will happen.

[ShaTR]

*edit^^^^ 100% agreed ^^^^*

A64 has been murking intel's P4 since it came out. so how do you know intel's conroe won't do the same thing to AMD's new platform

AMD's scheduled to release M2 later this year also. However, initial chips will still be based on K8 architecture. The only difference is the support for DDR2.

So given the initial test results from conroe, AMD would have to come out with some majorly spectacular in order to beat out conroe.

I suspect the next gen will belong to Intel, just as this one belonged to AMD.

(of course, I am not including Intel's Dothan in the equasion for this generation. thats a diff story all together)

[HCaulfield]

and i don't mean to threadcrap either but i was just curious about this..... i replace my computer every 3 years and i usually buy a new system (as i am not adept and capable of building my own) is this what everyone does or do you bring in your system for a upgrade? and if you upgrade, are you just doing the cpu?

thanks for advising

[ShaTR]

build it. its easy.

If you can't, buy one. upgrading is retarted

to upgrade, you must do the follow

change board
change CPU
change RAM
change video card or use integrated (because its all PCIe now a days)
usually bigger hard drive
usually DVD burner
Usualy new PSU

If you can get by without changeing the vid card, dvd burner, PSU, and hard drive, your saving $200. for the extra 200 bucks, id rather have an second computer + a new one.

bottom line, dont upgrade. buy another one, sell the old one or keep it as a second computer (or give it to family, kids, wutever)

Edit: if your 3yr old computer is fairly updated, upgrading may not be too bad. ie. if you have a 478 with DDR333 or 400 and a HDD that suits yoru needs, just a CPU can do you fine. especially if your dealing with a williamette or early northwood. However, this would have to mean that your board can support a prescott cpu, which is unlikely, but possible....

www.cpuid.com
download a program called CPU-z, and PM me.

[HCaulfield]

^^

thanks for the advice!!

i always thought it was too troublesome to upgrade anyway, and $1000 every 3 years is quite reasonable for me….with regards to selling the computer, i was not aware of that, where do you sell your computers, i have 3 or 4 computers lying around in the basement collecting dust…

thank you very much, i really appreciate the advice and with the recent price drop, it has become tempting, this time, i will be spending more on the ram and vid card. any advice on the vid card? although i am not a gamer, i still would like a nicer vid card ~ $200-$300 range if possible, and with the ram, i will be gunning for 2GIG as i am impatient and want a fast computer


edit: i have purchased my last 2 computers from pc village.....i just find them pretty easy to deal with and the prices seem alright too


thanks again

[ShaTR]

I can build you a rig, but my price will be comparable to PC village or any retailer. it depends on components. but if you like, ill build you one. Also, depending on your usage, people in your house, and components in your current computer, it *may* be worth it to upgrade, but thats yet to be seen.

PM me and we can talk more about it.

[psych1]

^^

with regards to selling the computer, i was not aware of that, where do you sell your computers, i have 3 or 4 computers lying around in the basement collecting dust…




You can sell them on the BST board here or there are used computer stores in most cities which will sell them for comission. However, if buying a new computer every three years isn't a big deal financially for you, then I doubt the few dollars you will get for those old ones is worth the hassle. There are many charitable organizations who will take them either to sell or to give to individuals who cannott afford to buy one. You could start by calling a charity you are interested in or a local small computer store could probably help.

BTW, I don't agree with the negative opinion above on upgrading, but I tend to be a couple of years behind the bleeding edge and so I am buying parts at the end of their marketed life. I can usually get "upgrade" parts for close to free. My computer is probably at least two generations behind everyone elses, but because I upgrade some part or other every year or so, I have the satisfaction of seeing regular performance improvements instead of waiting until I can afford a whole new computer. I also have the staisfaction of actually using most parts until they quit as oposed to disposing of a whole computer with some parts that work, becasue the machine as a whole has crapped out.

[HCaulfield]

with regards to the charities and what not, i have tried that route, they are quite picky as to what they take and not take and apparently they did not take mine……what i have always done when i get a new computer is that i remove the parts that are still salvageable…..(ram, i need the harddrives….)

the thoughts of upgrading only began when i saw this thread…..my next computer is not due until next august….

thanks for the advice.

[chs1388]

I'm in need of a CPU upgrade... use my pc mostly for video editing and encoding.. plan on spending $250-$350... looking for suggestions on what CPU to purchase AMD or INTEL? with the price drops I'm leaning towards INTEL... any suggestions are appreciated..

[lynk]

If you want Conroe level performance but just can't wait until the summer, get one of the new 65nm Celeron M 420 (1.6GHz) or 430 (1.73GHz) processors and overclock it. These processors are already for sale in Asia for under $150US and should be available here very soon.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/web/display/20060418124251.html

You'll need a Socket479 i975X motherboard like the AOpen i975Xa-YDG.

http://global.aopen.com.tw/products/mb/i975Xa-YDG.htm

[BestOffer]

I'm in need of a CPU upgrade... use my pc mostly for video editing and encoding.. plan on spending $250-$350... looking for suggestions on what CPU to purchase AMD or INTEL? with the price drops I'm leaning towards INTEL... any suggestions are appreciated..

amd wins in gaming
intel wins in pure rendering...read that from max. pc mag.

[ShaTR]

generally speaking correct. go intel

btw, socket 479 boards are EXPENSIVE. not worth it IMHO. few months is well worth the wait.