AMD slashed
prices across its dual-core processor lineup last week, cramming a number of
its dual-core chips under the $100 mark. The Athlon 64 X2 4000+ is available for
$69.99 at Newegg, for instance. Now it seems
Intel has revised it plans for the low-end desktop CPU market and will
continue to sell its Conroe-based E2140, according to sources at motherboard
makers. Intel was originally planning to launch the E2180 on August 26 with a
price of US$84 in 1000-unit tray quantities while dropping the price of the
E2160 from US$84 to US$74. Following the moves, the E2140 would be phased out of
the market, according to previous reports. The E2140 processor's current price
is US$74. On July 22, the price will drop to US$71 and will go down to US$64 on
August 26, added the sources. The reason Intel has decided to keep E2140 in the
market is to defend against AMD's Athlon 64 X2 3800+ and 3600+ processors taking
market share in emerging markets, the sources commented.
