AMD Ryzen News, Prices & Updates: Intel Resorts to Slashing Prices to Undercut AMD
AMD recently unveiled its Ryzen line of powerful processors, which are meant to beat Intel's chipsets. Now, Intel responded by reportedly slashing the prices on its Core i7 and i5 processors to prepare for the Ryzen's launch in March 2017. A number of sellers have begun featuring Intel processors at lower price tags recently.
Based on a report by HotHardware, Micro Center is offering the 3.60GHzsix-core Intel Core i7-6850K at $550 from its usual rate of $700. The 3.40GHz i7 6800K is available at $360 from $500. Users are still waiting for price drops on Amazon. The 4.0GHz i7-6700K dropped to $260 from $400, while the 3.50GHz quad-core i7-6600K moved down from $270 to $180. The i7-7700K was lowered from $380 to $299. It is currently available on NewEgg and Amazon at $349. Apparently, Intel is showing concern about the upcoming AMD Ryzen products and plans to stay competitive in terms of pricing.
According to WCCFTech, Intel is allegedly "playing dirty" by intentionally trying to cut the AMD Ryzen out of business. There are reports that Intel personnel are approaching potential customers and offering incentive rebates and other special promos to convince them to use Intel processors exclusively. Intel is allegedly compelling users to stick with its products before they can review the upcoming AMD Ryzen. Intel PR reportedly sent a "call us before you write" email to some of the press who will review the new Ryzen CPUs.
A few editors-in-chief confirmed that Intel approached them about future AMD Ryzen reviews. It is not the first time that Intel has resorted to such tactics in an attempt to undercut its competitors. Previously, the California-based company was fined $1.4 billion for anti-competitive practices. The court decision stated that Intel attempted to conceal the anti-competitive nature of its business practices and used a long term comprehensive strategy to foreclose AMD from the strategically most important sales channels.
AMD has been cautious with Intel in preparing for the launch of Ryzen. The new chipsets are bound to perform similarly or even better than Intel's processors at significantly lower prices. The Ryzen 7 1800X will cost $499, despite outperforming the Intel i7 6900K, which costs $1050. The Ryzen 7 1700X will cost $399, while the Ryzen 7 1700 will be priced at $329. The first three AMD Ryzen processors are set to launch on Mar. 2, 2017. More updates and details are expected soon.