Intel expected to slash Pentium 4 prices over weekend

By Alun Williams

Posted on 24 Oct 2003 at 11:23

Desktop Pentium 4 prices are expected to be cut this weekend, according to Taiwanese sources. The changes will range from 15.5 to 34.5 per cent.

DigiTimes has reported that on 26 October the top of the range 3.2GHz processor will see its price fall 34.5 per cent, from $637 to $417.

The 3.0 and 3.06GHz (Hyper Threading) processors should also be cut, by 33.3 and 34.6 per cent respectively, to $278 and $262. On a slightly lesser scale, the 2.8GHz (HT) processor will fall 21.5 per cent, from $278 to $218, and the non-HT 2.8GHz will fall 26.3 per cent, from $262 to $193.

To complete the picture, the 2.6 (HT), 2.66, and 2.53GHz models will see cuts in the region of 15 ro 18 per cent.

The move is seen as meeting increased competition from AMD products - particularly the AMD Athlon 64, which has begun its rollout. But it will also presage the arrival of a new Pentium 4 - expected to be a 3.4GHz processor, costing $637.

As always, all pricing is based on direct sales of 1,000 unit quantities.