Intel slashes Pentium 4 prices

Intel is set to cut the prices of its Pentium 4 processor before it goes on sale.

Intel is set to cut the prices of its Pentium 4 processor before it goes on sale.

Scheduled for launch at the end of November, the 1.4Ghz and 1.5Ghz versions of the chips will cost $652 and $827 respectively.

Initially the chips were expected to ship at speeds of 1.3Ghz and 1.4Ghz, priced $635 and $805 respectively.

In September Intel announced a shortfall in its third quarter results which sent shock waves across the industry. This latest development may indicate that it has come under increasing pressure from chip rival AMD and semiconductor startup Transmeta.

Top Intel jobs have been shuffled in anticipation of the Pentium 4 launch. Mike Splinter has been promoted to president of technology and manufacturing from senior vice-president, while Albert Yu moves from his position as co-general manager of Intel architecture to head the opto-electronics division.

Meanwhile, AMD has said it will release a 1.2Ghz Athlon by the end of the month.

First published in Computer Reseller News