Intel Cuts Prices of Some Sandy Bridge CPUs and Discontinues Some Pentium CPUs
by Kristian Vättö on September 6, 2011 2:56 PM ESTIn addition to releasing 16 new CPUs earlier this week, Intel has also discounted six low-power CPUs and discontinued three Pentium CPUs.
Discounts
All of the discounted CPUs are based on the Sandy Bridge micro-architecture, which Intel released in January 2011. They are all low-power variants as well, meaning that their TDP value is lower than the standard. Low-power models can be identified by an S or T at the end (S stands for 65W while T stands for 35W). The actual price cuts are very modest though, only up to $12. Below is a table listing the CPUs and their old and new prices:
| Discounted Sandy Bridge Processors | ||||||
| Model | Core/Thread Count | Frequency | L3 Cache | Old Price | New Price | Price Change |
| Core i5-2390T | 2/4 | 2.7GHz | 3MB | $195 | $184 | -$11 (-5.6%) |
| Core i5-2400S | 4/4 | 2.5GHz | 6MB | $195 | $184 | -$11 (-5.6%) |
| Core i5-2405S | 4/4 | 2.5GHz | 6MB | $205 | $201 | -$4 (-2%) |
| Core i5-2500S | 4/4 | 2.7GHz | 6MB | $216 | $205 | -$11 (-5.1%) |
| Core i5-2500T | 4/4 | 2.3GHz | 6MB | $216 | $205 | -$11 (-5.1%) |
| Core i7-2600S | 4/8 | 2.8GHz | 6MB | $306 | $294 | -$12 (-3.9%) |
It's worth to note that these are the prices in one thousand quantities. Resellers don't always follow this pricing scheme and for example NewEgg is still selling the i5-2400S for $201, although even the old price was $195. Low-power models can also be harder to find since they aren't that popular and are more meant for OEM systems with more limited cooling (such as Apple's iMac).
Discontinuances
The discontinued CPUs are listed under the Pentium brand and are based on Intel's Core micro-architecture with 45nm manufacturing process. While these CPUs are not based on the latest technologies, they were all released between 2009 and 2010. Intel will still be taking orders until November 23rd and the last shipment date is December 30th.
| Discontinued Pentium Processors | ||||
| Model | Core/Thread Count | Frequency | L2 Cache | Price |
| Pentium E5800 | 2/2 | 3.2GHz | 2MB | $64 |
| Pentium E6700 | 2/2 | 3.2GHz | 2MB | $75 |
| Pentium E6800 | 2/2 | 3.33GHz | 2MB | $86 |
Considering that Intel has already populated the same price points with newer and faster CPUs (see our review of Sandy Bridge Pentiums), the discontinuation makes sense.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
6 Comments
View All Comments
DanNeely - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
Unless a part is being sold as a loss leader it will always be higher than price on the intel pricesheet since that's what a large reseller pays to get it. Smaller resellers that have to buy their chips from a distributor instead of directly from Intel would end up paying higher than the list price just to get them in stock.gevorg - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
I guess Intel is getting ready for Bulldozer! :)MrSpadge - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
Yeah, that's why they don't change any of the high end or mid range prices and don't introduce anything faster than i7 2600. Actually I had hoped for AMD to see a stronger preemptive strike from Intel..MrS
C'DaleRider - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
I'm sure Intel isn't going to get caught flat footed this time around like they did in 2003 with the Athlon 64.And I'm sure Intel's seen what BD can do already, just like AMD saw what SB was capable of before release.
So, Intel's probably not concerned in the least. And if AMD manages to trump the 2600K, Intel surely has a SB variant in the wings, waiting for release that'll top anything AMD releases.
TypeS - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
Intel already has faster chips coming out. Technically speaking. the 2600K isn't Intel's Sandy Bridge top CPU like the 965/975/990 were for Nahelam. The server versions that Intel plans to realease as X6x platform are still to come out (Sandy Bridge E).So even if AMD has a cpu or two that can trump the 2600K, Intel's Sandy Bridge E's will be ahead just like X58 was
tuklap - Monday, September 12, 2011 - link
they are just cleaning their cabinets for the up coming new Sandy Bridge E's....if Bulldozer comes out this September..then more price cuts for us