price drop coming?

[metloaf]

So how much of a price drop do you guys think the 600 series CPU's will fall once the new Presler's and Conroe's hit the market? I am now really considering building either a 660 or 670 system, that's if the prices will come down. :)

[xTrEmEoVrClOcKr]

Very soon, Mid Jan / Feb id imagine.

[ZL1]

So how much of a price drop do you guys think the 600 series CPU's will fall once the new Presler's and Conroe's hit the market? I am now really considering building either a 660 or 670 system, that's if the prices will come down. :)

wont happen, they will actually start climbing

D

[metloaf]

ZL, Do you say that because of the extra demand and no further production of the 5xx, 6xx series CPU's, or because Intel will mandate that they will be a higher price to force people onto the new generation of CPU's?

[xTrEmEoVrClOcKr]

I would think they would drop prices on the 6xx, since retailers are desperate to "Make way for the new". I dont know why they would all the sudden jack up prices, unless the Cedars / Preslers are cheaper to make? I still stick by my theory / ETA.

[ZL1]

ZL, Do you say that because of the extra demand and no further production of the 5xx, 6xx series CPU's, or because Intel will mandate that they will be a higher price to force people onto the new generation of CPU's?

supply and demand
it always happens, just look at the s478s, I so wanted a 3.4 northy, but did I get it ? nope :(

D

[Stratcat]

supply and demand
it always happens, just look at the s478s, I so wanted a 3.4 northy, but did I get it ? nope :(

DAgreed.

Also, add in the effects of economies of scale: It's always cheaper to manufacture in higher volume. 65nM will ramp up, while 90nM will be ramping down.

But, IMO, there's another very important reason the new 65nM process chips should pull away (become less expensive) from the 90nM cpu's, in price: The 65nM process will allow more dies per wafer, predicated on the new process having decent yield percentages that are anywhere close to the current yields. The more chips you can get from a similar sized wafer (300mm), the cheaper the cost per chip. This is a simplistic explanation, and there are many variables, but I think it conveys the general idea.

If demand for the new procs is high from the get-go, there may be a short period of price gouging by the vendors (as seen currently, in the pre-release stages). But if Intel ramps up 65nM quickly, or already has the current capacity to meet demand, especially if there's already adequate available product in the distribution channels, I'd expect the new chips to very quickly fall in price, vis a' vis, the older 90nM variants.

JMO's

Strat

[Evilsizer]

Agreed.

Also, add in the effects of economies of scale: It's always cheaper to manufacture in higher volume. 65nM will ramp up, while 90nM will be ramping down.

But, IMO, there's another very important reason the new 65nM process chips should pull away (become less expensive) from the 90nM cpu's, in price: The 65nM process will allow more dies per wafer, predicated on the new process having decent yield percentages that are anywhere close to the current yields. The more chips you can get from a similar sized wafer (300mm), the cheaper the cost per chip. This is a simplistic explanation, and there are many variables, but I think it conveys the general idea.

JMO's

Strat
and the same thing was said about DVD's being able to ship more per box should be lower prices but no not really new dvd's still go for anywhere from $19.99-$80 depending on if its a movie or a tv show. All prices will pretty much be the same it just means that intel will be making more money as they can make more per wafer... i know its price/core is cheaper but that does not mean intel will lower prices when the new 65nm comes out...

[Stratcat]

and the same thing was said about DVD's being able to ship more per box should be lower prices but no not really new dvd's still go for anywhere from $19.99-$80 depending on if its a movie or a tv show. True, but this is an example of an intellectual property/entertainment item, not a utilitarian electronic component. Another similar example to yours would be music CD's, which have been priced ~15 U$D, for new releases, ever since I bought my first CD's in 1987. Yet, you can also find CD's in the "bargain bins" for 5 bucks, or even less. You're buying the intellectual property, in your example, the DVD just happens to be the medium that conveys the I/P material you purchased.

[...] it just means that intel will be making more money as they can make more per wafer... i know its price/core is cheaper but that does not mean intel will lower prices when the new 65nm comes out... I will concede this. Intel will attempt to hold prices as high as the market (and it's marketing strategies) will allow, in order to milk the maximum profit it can.

But, then we come back to supply & demand, and Intel's desire for market share. AMD has been chipping away at Intel's market share for quite a while. We wouldn't have 320 dollar 830-D's, if AMD didn't have competitive/superlative X2 variants, starting with the 3800.

Strat

[Stratcat]

^^^

Seems initial pricing through mainstream retailers is no longer an issue of speculation:

Presler 930-D In Stock @ ZZF (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80851)

Presler 920-D In Stock @ ZZF (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80850)

Both 9x0-D variants are at a 40 dollar premium to their 8x0-D counterparts.

I still suspect initial price gouging - Time will tell - JMO

Strat

[ZL1]

Strat pretty much took care of both, but Id like to add - I think Intel's new 65nm CPUs are going to be priced same as before until AMD powers on their 65nm plant, Intel will see this time as an edge and since they came out with it first IMO they deserve the cake

D

P.S. why did I say cake ? now I want cake :)

[Okagi]

I don't think there is any doubt about some gouging on these chips. It also doesn't surprise me. Mwave doesn't have stock of the 920 just yet but they have it listed for $257.00. Check back in 1 or 2 months, I guarantee you the prices will be at or below the current 6xx/8xx chips. Intel has been churning these things out for some time now.... they've just been holding on to them for a bit.

[metloaf]

I guess then, that I just might be buying a used 660 or 670 if I still want one. :cool:

[hUMANbEATbOX]

for way under the price of a 660 or 670, you could grab a 641 or 651 and probably get much higher clocks. that is if cedarmill actually gets released soon. :\

[metloaf]

I think that that is the main reason to wait and see what actually develops as far as prices go. The price gouging is really crappy so I am going to wait and see.

[orionlion82]

much like whats been said above, i think 65nm is just going to fatten intels margin.

they can kep prices steady, and make more money.

New technology = expensive
Old technology = rare, expensive, then suddenly worthless

all of this is just what hardware (and software) makers want.
dont ever believe that "lower prices for the consumer" junk - all it means is "we figured out a way to take more profit"

it sounds like a rant, but its not. this is how the world works.