Intel turns up the heat against AMD's next-generation architecture even before it launches
AMD is expected to ship its native quad-core desktop CPUs, now dubbed K10, in Q3 2007. Intel guidance already states the company will accelerate the ongoing price war through Q3 2007 -- a price war that has already taken its toll on AMD and Intel profits.
The AMD-Intel price war peaked just after Intel launched its Core 2 Duo architecture; AMD aggressively cut prices on its Athlon 64 products the day after the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop launch. Intel will return the favor just in time for AMD's next-generation processors.
Intel Core 2 Quad
|
Model
|
Core
Frequency |
L2
Cache
|
FSB |
Q3'07
Pricing
|
|
QX6800 |
2.93 GHz
|
8MB |
1066 MHz
|
$999
|
|
Q6700 |
2.66 GHz
|
8MB |
1066 MHz
|
$530
|
|
Q6600 |
2.40 GHz
|
8MB |
1066 MHz
|
$266
|
Intel has scrapped plans for the quad-core 2.13 GHz Core 2 Quad Q6400, but instead added plans for a quad-core 2.66 GHz Q6700. However, Intel's guidance will cut the price of the Q6600 and the Q6700 dramatically -- Intel will cut the price of the Q6600 to a more discounted price than the Q6400 was ever expected to launch at.
The Q6600, launched last month, sells in quantities of 1000 for $851. By mid-April Intel guidance suggests this processor will already price down to $530. The next price cuts, labeled "Q3 2007" will coincide with any launch events for the AMD quad-core products.
In addition, Intel has added a 2.93 GHz quad-core Extreme processor, scheduled for a $999 launch. The 2.66 GHz quad-core Extreme processor, QX6700, will phase out before Q3 2007, as it is effectively replaced by the Q6700 processor.
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