Intel desktop CPU plans updated

Intel is planning to launch a 45nm quad-core CPU – Core 2 Quad Q8200 with a core frequency of 2.33GHz and price of US$224 in thousand-unit tray quantities by the end of August along with a new dual-core Pentium E5200 CPU at 2.5GHz and US$84. The company will also launch a 65nm Conroe-L-based Celeron 450 CPU at 2.2GHz and US$53, according to sources at motherboard makers.

In addition to launching new products, the company is also planning to offer a price drop in mid October for CPUs including the Q8200, which will drop from US$224 to US$203, Core 2 Quad Q6600 from US$193 to US$183, Core 2 Duo E7300 from US$133 to US$113, Pentium E2220 from US$84 to US$74 and Pentium E2200 from US$74 to US$64, noted the sources.

In the third quarter of this year, Intel's 45m Core 2 Quad CPU series will account for 6% of the company's total desktop CPU shipments, while 45nm Core 2 Duo E8000 and E7000 series will account for around 16% and 13%, respectively. 45nm Pentium E5000 series will account for less than 2% and Atom 200 series only 3%.

In the second quarter of 2009, Intel's Core 2 Quad CPU series will completely step into the 45nm era, and account for around 14% of Intel's total desktop CPU shipments, while the E8000 and E7000 will account 25% and 20%, respectively. Pentium E5000 will grow to 15%, however Atom will only account for around 5%.

In additional news, Intel is planning to launch three Core i7 CPUs (Nehalem), a 3.2GHz extreme-level, a 2.93GHz performance-level and 2.66GHz mainstream-level, which will be priced at US$999, US$562 and US$284 in thousand-unit tray quantities in September or October.