Intel cruises towards Core i7 launch

The first of Intel's Nehalem microarchitecure derived, Bloomfield CPUs, are to hit shores in September or October, according to this article from DIGITIMES.



Three Intel Core i7 SKUs, being a 3.2 GHz 'Extreme' part, a 2.93 GHz 'Performance' part and a 2.66 GHz 'Mainstream' part, priced in 1000-unit tray quantities at $999, $562 and $284, respectively, will usher in Intel's new Core i7 vision.

The article, citing its sources as motherboard manufacturers, goes on to state that Santa Clara, CA based Intel also plans to launch a new member of its Core 2 Quad family - A 2.33 GHz part, known as the Q8200, by the end of this month.

With the Q8200 positioning itself as a natural successor to the highly popular Q6600 part, it appears that somewhat less competitive pricing, combined with a lower frequency and less cache, may require vigorous pricing, at least, lower than the expected $224 (in 1000-unit tray quantities ) launch price, to achieve its goals.

The lure of 45nm refinement and perhaps more overclocking headroom, may be too much of an opportunity to pass up, for some, though.

A round of price cuts is on the cards however, with mid-October being the expected time frame for such indulgences.