AMD Slashes Prices on CPUs

(image found on Techtree.com website)

As Intel introduces and slashes prices on processors others follow in surprising price cuts. CPU Giant AMD makes a shot across the bow with cuts on their own processors too, esp. the new AMD Phenom II CPU which just came out two weeks ago. With times being as they are this could look like a nice buyers market when it comes to upgrading or building a new box for end users.

"The price of the Phenom II X4 940 CPU slipped from $275 (approx. Rs. 13,200) to $235 (approx. Rs. 11,200), and this 45nm fab process quad-core directly competes with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400, now priced at $213 (approx. Rs. 10,300).

Also, the price of the Phenom II X4 920 CPU has been reduced from $235 (approx. Rs. 11,200) to $195 (approx. Rs. 9300) and competes with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300, now priced at $183 (approx. Rs. 8800).

AMD's quad-core processors are almost at par with Intel's quad-core processors. However, the major difference between them is in the thermal design power rating; power consumption under task load was found to be higher in the AMD quad-core chips. "

Hopefully, new industry developers will keep in mind these cuts and look at integrating these faster chips into their new products as the new year begins and the ideas flourish in the air.

AMD Quietly Cuts Prices of Phenom II Processors amid Demand Slump (xbitlabs.com)
After Intel, AMD Drops Price (Techtree.com)

Intel unveils three new Core 2 Quad-Core processors for the market arena

(image found on information week.com website)
Intel has announced three Core 2 quad-core processors that use less power and run cooler. This is a big plus for all in one units such a devices from HP, Apple and Dell that offer people a compact size machine with room to spare.

"The new "s" series chips include the Q9550s, the Q9400s, and the Q8200s. All three have a 1333-MHz front-side bus, but differ in clock speed and the size of the L2 cache. The Q9550s runs at 2.83 GHz and has 12 MB of cache, the Q9400s runs at 2.66 GHz with 6 MB, and the Q8200s runs at 2.33 GHz with 4 MB. Pricing in batches of 1,000 units is $369, $320, and $245."

The other plus side to this equation is as chips run faster, cooler with less power they can also be incorporated in more mobile devices from laptops to pda's to other assorted electronic media items.

Intel Unveils Low-Power Desktop Quad-Core Chips (Informationweek.com)
Intel Slashes Prices, Adds New Chips to Lineup (Channel Web)