Intel drops prices; Here what's in it for you.
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Update: The chart has a typo, the E2200 runs at 2.20GHz not at 2.40GHz.
Prices updated on Jan. 22th 3:00PM EST
Intel recently did some price drops on some their processors, some by quite a large amount, making them even more interesting now.
You’ll see that the Core 2 Quads Q9650, Q8300 and Q9400 have had their prices dropped by more than the others. The Q9400 and Q8300 price cuts can be explained as they are in competition with AMD’s newest cpus.
Now that Intel dropped their prices, we’ll have to see AMD’s answer to that. Once again, now is a good time to shop for CPUs! I’ll definately keep that in mind for the Computer Systems.
Just wondering how long it’s going to take for the prices online to reflect those prices drops.
Here’s a look at NewEgg’s prices as I write this (Prices updated on Jan. 22nd 3:00PM EST):
- Q9650 at $333.99 : Over $200 price drop! Now we’re talking! Recommended purchase.
- Q9550 at $282.99 : Price dropped even more, pretty much where it should be. A great deal!
- Q9400 at $229.99 : Price dropped even more, pretty much where it should be. A great deal!
- Q8300 at $194.99 : $43 price drop so far. An excellent deal now, recommended purchase.
- Q8200 at $169.99 : Price dropped even more, pretty much where it should be. A great deal! Even the Q6600 at $189.99 isn’t that interesting anymore. Definitely a recommended purchase!
- E7400 at $119.99 : Price dropped even more, pretty much where it should be. A great deal!
- E5300 at $94.99 : $5 price drop so far. Newly introduced processor, prices are way too high. Avoid until price goes lower.
- E5200 at $74.99 : Price dropped, at what it should be. Recommended.
- E2200 at $69.99 : Price dropped, at what it should be, but I recommend spending an extra $5 and get the E5200 instead, with twice the cache and a nice 300MHz speed bumb.
The Q9650, Q9550, Q9400, Q8300 and Q8200 are now pretty much at their best price and are now even better choices for quad-core cpus. The E7400, E5200 and E2200 prices have dropped as well and are now better choices compared to before.
The Q9550, with 12MB of cache for only $266 is a good choice, along with the Q8200 that is now a full $20 cheaper than the Q6600, while offering similar performance and lower power consumption. Dual-core wise, the E7400, at 2.8Ghz with 3MB is a great choice for gamers on a budget. If you are on an even tigher budget, the E5200 is an excellent choice too.
Keep in mind that the prices on the chart are Intel’s prices for 1,000 units tray and that the retailer takes a small margin too.
What do you think of those prices cuts? Will it make you change your mind and make you buy a Cpu?
