Intel has cut processor prices up to 31 percent, though overall cuts are limited in number and degree.
The quad-core Q6600 was cut from $224 to $193.
The desktop Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz) got the largest cut, from $266 to $183 (31 percent) on the new pricing list, dated July 20.
The next biggest price reduction was the desktop Core 2 Duo E7200 (2.53GHz), reduced 15 percent, from $133 to $113.
Other price cuts include the popular quad-core Q6600 (2.4GHz). It drops 14 percent, from $224 to $193. The desktop Core 2 Duo E8400 (3GHz) falls 11 percent, from $183 to $163.
Xeon server processors also saw price cuts. The X3220 (2.40GHz) was cut 12 percent, from $224 to $198. The X3210 (2.13GHz) saw an identical cut, while the E3110 (3GHz) was reduced 11 percent, from $188 to $167.
The pricing for QX "Extreme" processors, such as the QX9775 (3.2GHz, $1,499), remains unchanged from the pricing list published on July 15, when the Centrino 2 mobile processors were introduced.
Intel is expected to bring out new Core 2 Duo processors and a Celeron in the April-May time period, according to Chinese-language Web site HKEPC. These are minor models that do not constitute a major model rollout like the mobile Montevina processors due late spring or early summer.
HKEPC cites motherboard manufacturers as the source for this information.
New processors include the 45-nanometer 2.83-GHz Core 2 Duo E8300 (6MB L2 cache/1333-MHz front-side bus), priced at $163, the 2.53-GHz Core 2 Duo E7200 (3MB cache/1066-MHz FSB), priced at $133, and the 2.0-GHz Celeron E1400 (512K cache/800-MHz FSB), priced at $53. The E8300 is due in April, while the E7200 and E1400 are due in May.
Intel wafer with 45-nanometer die
(Credit: Intel Corp.)The bigger roll-out will be the "Centrino 2" 45nm Montevina chips, according to a recent report from Taipei-based DigiTimes. This new family of processors will include the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 (12MB L2 cache, 45W), Core 2 Duo T9600 (2.8 GHz, 6MB, 35W), and P8400 (2.26 GHz, 3MB, 25W), according to a separate report last month from DigiTimes. All processors will support a 1066-MHz front-side bus.
The 22mm sq. Intel CPUs--the same compact design used in the MacBook Air--will include the SP9400 (2.4 GHz, 6MB, 25W) and low-power SU9400 (1.4 GHz, 3MB, 10W). The 10W processors will support FSB speeds up to 800MHz.
For the most part, Intel has made public the details of Montevina mobile chip technology: the processors will be paired with the Cantiga GM and PM chipsets and Echo Peak silicon, a Wi-Fi and WiMax "combo module." WiMax, when the infrastructure is in place, will allow high-speed, long-range wireless broadband access.
An update to Turbo Memory, a technology for speeding hard drive data access, will also be offered. Last month, CEO Paul Otellini said that Montevina processors are already in production.
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