In the past, AMD once won the performance battle with Intel by its innovative and excellent processor micro-architecture, and then Intel got back the leadership by the introduction of its new Core architecture. From this history, instead of clock speed and FSB, we know micro-architecture really does matter to the performance race. With improved micro-architecture, AMD will release its next-generation AM2+ processor in Q3 2007, trying to make a fight with Intel Core 2. Due to this reason, Intel just released the company’s plan on Core 2’s price cut to maximize its combat efficiency in the battle, in which Intel Core 2 Quad has a noticeably price cut of 40%.
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As the threat arises, Intel has decided to take a remarkable price cut to minimize the risk in the market. This plan included a huge price cut to Intel Core 2 Quad and Duo models. One of the most noticeable cut, Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.40 GHz/4MB L2 x 2/1066MHz FSB), which is going to launch on Jan 7 2007, is planned to be cut from $851 to $530, a 37.7% off. Meanwhile, Core 2 Duo E6700 (2.66 GHz/4MB L2/1066MHz FSB) and E6600 (2.4 GHz/4MB L2/1066MHz FSB) is planned to cut from $530 and $316 to $316 and $224 respectively, a 40.3% and a 29.1% off.
Over and above, though Core 2 Duo E6400 (2.13 GHz/2MB L2/1066MHz FSB) and E6300 (1.83 GHz/2MB L2/1066MHz FSB) haven’t got too much cut in this plan, says from $224 to $183 (18.3%) and from $183 to $163 (10.9%), Intel would like to give a special gift to this models, a 2MB extra L2 Cache (total 4MB L2 Cache). These 4 MB L2 Cache versions, namely Core 2 Duo E6420 (2.13 GHz/4MB L2/1066MHz FSB) and E6320 (1.83 GHz/4MB L2/1066MHz FSB), are going to launch on the same day of price cutting.
In addition, the previously planned Intel Core 2 Duo E6390, which does not support for VT, has been cut in the future plan.
On the entry-level dual core market, besides Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8 GHz/2MB L2/800MHz FSB), which will be launched on Jan 21 2007, there is another E4400 (2 GHz/2MB L2/800MHz FSB) coming in Q2 2007 set at a price of $133. On the day of E4400’s launch and onward, E4300 will has a new price from $163 to $113, a 30.7% off.
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