when to buy?

[CHOPS123]

Im looking to upgrade my system....Any news on price drops on intel cpu for 2008? I dont really want to buy one now if they will be cheaper in the next few weeks

[baller4life2468]

I think that in the next week or so there will be New Years Sales and places trying to unload old stock.
So check then maybe.

Baller

[juneau]

There really isn't a good time to buy hardware, and Intel don't have any price drops planned.

[Rand{CLR}]

There really isn't a good time to buy hardware, and Intel don't have any price drops planned.

+1. Even if you think you know a price drop isn't coming for awhile, whammo--you get hit with one just after you pulled the trigger. You just have to sort of try and ignore the price, and go with what you want, when you want/need. I bought this summer, and 2 months later most parts were cheaper, but I've still got a system I'm happy with, so I try to block out that several hundred extra dollars that could be clear from my credit card.

-Rand

[WalkinTarget]

Here's the Intel roadmap on upcoming releases:

Dual Core
---E8500 - 3.16Ghz - 9.5 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 6MB cache - $266 - Jan 08
---E8400 - 3.00Ghz - 9.0 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 6MB cache - $183 - Jan 08
---E8300 - 2.83Ghz - 8.5 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 6MB cache - $### - Jan 08
---E8200 - 2.66Ghz - 8.0 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 6MB cache - $163 - Jan 08

Quad Core
QX9650 - 3.00Ghz -unlockedmulti - 333 Base system clock - 12MB cache - $999 - Nov 11
---Q9550 - 2.83Ghz - 8.5 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 12MB cache - $530 - Jan 08
---Q9450 - 2.66Ghz - 8.0 multiplier - 333 Base system clock - 12MB cache - $316 - Jan 08
---Q9330 - 2.50Ghz - 7.5 multiplier - 333 Base system clock --- 6MB cache - $266 - Jan 08

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=101960

[CHOPS123]

Hey Walking target...So these new cpu's are supposed to be out Jan 8......How Fast do you think sites like newegg will have them? I'm kinda new with the intel cpu's....How would you compare the c2d 6850 to the E8500? It strange because the price for the E8500 is cheaper than the 6850? Any Advice would be great. Im kinda doing a pre build so far I have bought the 8800 gts 512 card, Antec 900 case, and corsair 620 psu. Now I'm just down to trying to figure out which cpu mobo and ram...Still unsure if I want to go Sli. Anyone notice a $300 dif running 8800 gts 512 in sli? I dont really care about benchmark bragging rights.....Just want to notice the advantage ingame. Thanks in advance guys

[darth_nevus]

Hey Walking target...So these new cpu's are supposed to be out Jan 8......How Fast do you think sites like newegg will have them? I'm kinda new with the intel cpu's....

Newegg will have them vailable from day one. don't expect them to stay in stock though.

Heres the kicker. An "advertised" price, or a "planned" price drop with intel means jack squat. Intel does NOT enforce their pricing like AMD does. all it means is that the reseller can buy the chips cheaper, and intel HOPES they pass the new price down to the buyer. Pure Capitialism. but in the end, for at least a few weeks afterwards, the E-seller reaps a larger profit margin, and only THEN do the prices go down.

This is because AMD rebates the Etailors, and intel does not. so don't think badly of the Etailor, as newegg has say 10k of the cips at one price, and 10k of the chips at the new prices, and has to do its best to make up the margin by averaging the 2, while lowering the price over time.

AMD once it issues a price drop says "how many do you have in stock LEFT," and cuts them a rebate check.

This is also why traditionaly AMD's chips are HARDER to find than intels. AMD will stop selling them to Etailors in an effort to run down the stock prior to a price drop, and start selling them again afterwards, to minimize the amount paid in the rebates to Etailors.

Intel on the other hand, traditionally, just ships fewer chips to keep the Etailors happy so it doesn't affect their margins as much. hence their sometimes problematic availability.

Two different approaches, the same result, but usually makes Intel More expensive than their MSRP.