Intel desktop quad chips arrive in tight supply

Intel's Q series of mainstream 45-nanometer desktop quad-core processors are finally starting to trickle out. These chips were announced back in the beginning of January amid reports of delays.

The Q9550, Q9450, and Q9300 Core 2 Quad processors are now available in systems from PC suppliers such as Alienware and Velocity Micro. Retail availability is still limited, however. Resellers such as Buy.com and Computers4sure list the Q9550 and Q9450 as "sold out" or "out of stock."

Intel Core 2 Quad processor

(Credit: Intel Corp.)

"We are really seeing high demand on these parts, and we are filling orders as fast as we can," an Intel spokesperson said Tuesday. The spokesperson added that "most" of the processors had just launched into the market this week.

The "Q" non-Extreme quad-core processors typically have clock speeds, front-side bus (FSB) speeds, and thermal envelopes that are lower than Extreme processors which have the "QX" prefix before the processor model number.

The QX97700 (3.20 GHz, 12MB cache, 1600 MHz FSB), an Extreme quad-core desktop processor, has also recently become available, priced at $1,399.

The Q series of processors have the following specifications and prices:
Q9550: 2.83GHz, 12MB cache, 1333-MHz FSB: $530
Q9450: 2.66GHz, 12MB cache, 1333-MHz FSB: $316
Q9300: 2.50GHz, 06MB cache, 1333-MHz FSB: $266

[anonymous x]

I want one (my motherboard won't support it though)

[Mam00th]

I wonder if those can oveclock as easily as the others.

[smelton]

One web site I went to (I apologize for not remember which one) that sells computer parts, including processors, had a note on it saying they expected to have the Q9550 in stock by April 18. Still more delays!

Everything I've read indicates that these processors overclock quite nicely.

[boe_d]

This is total BS about demand and supply. They are purposely not supplying the higher end ones. There is absolutely no shortage whatsoever of the low end ones. The Q9550 - which was "released" in January - hasn't had an production chips available anywhere. A couple of compoanies were selling engineering samples - but none of the main production chips have been available ANYWHERE. This isn't an issue of keeping up with demand - this is them purposely delaying CPUs because they didn't have the competition from AMD they were expecting.

I'm not as upset that they don't release CPUs because of a lack of competition - my main issue is that they already "released" them and yet you can't get them anywhere 3-4 months after they were "released" If they hadn't lied I'd be much happier. I really really dislike it when people LIE.

[Venture]

"We are really seeing high demand on these parts, and we are filling orders as fast as we can," an Intel spokesperson said Tuesday. " Can someone explain to me how not supplying a single Q9550 is equal to as fast as we can? They managed to supply just about every other CPU but somehow they "can't actually supply the q9550 - sounds like they aren't being very truthful.

[GadgetConsumer]

BEWARE of BUY.COM promos. They are currently taking $50 off on a $51 purchase when signing up for a RevolutionCard account. They don't mention that all sales are final when using a coupon. They gave me a return authorization for an unopened product. Buy.com confirmed that they received the product back, and promised a refund to my credit card within 7 business days. 3 weeks later, they said "no refunds" and won't even send the unopened product back to me.

If they aren't going to follow their own refund policy, they need to give the merchandise back to the buyer. BUY.com is obviously getting some kind of financial benefit from RevolutionCard. At the very least, they should send back the item to me, and not just keep it, re-sell it, and double their profit. As of this writing, there are over 600 consumer complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau regarding Buy.com?s handling of refunds. Buyers beware!