Price Guides - January 2005: CPUs Galore

Intel Pentium 4, Pentium M

If we had to describe the Intel world in both processors and motherboards right now, "stasis" would be the first word that comes to our minds. Although, at CES 2005, we saw the unofficial launch of the next generation 915G Centrino family, the last major launches for Intel occurred back in October/November with the 1066FSB processor launch. Alas, the sole 1066FSB processor [RTPE: BX80532PH3460FS] still retails for over a grand and it received less than stellar reviews as well. The 3.8GHz Pentium 4 [RTPE: BX80547PG3800EJ] launch also received lukewarm feelings from Anand, and availability is also an issue. Even though the Pentium 4 570 processors have been on backorder/preorder for several weeks now, almost all products go straight to OEM (well, at least one particular OEM).

The 3.6GHz Pentium 4 560 [RTPE: BX80547PG3600E] took another significant price cut within the last week as well and that seems to have stabilized just this past week. The processor is certainly more attractive now at just over $400 than when we began tracking it at $700. Judging by the blue and green indicators on our price engine denoting "out of stock" items, it seems as though the non-J variants of the chip have dried up very fast. Only "J" versions with XD/NX protection are still available, but we lump them together with the vanilla versions in the price engine to avoid confusion.

As for our weekly recommendation, the 3.2GHz Pentium 4 540 [RTPE: BX80547PG3200E] has a very difficult price point to beat. Like most Intel processors, prices haven't changed all that much since the last cuts in August and $220 is just about right to spend on a processor.

The topic fresh on everyone's mind are Dothan "Pentium M" processors. Motherboards themselves are actually quite abundant - DFI [RTPE: 855GME-MGF] and AOpen [RTPE: i855GME-LFS] both sell first generation desktop motherboards based on the Socket 479 desktop Pentium M architecture, but unfortunately, prices have not stabilized and availability seems sporadic as well. As for processors, you can almost forget about Dothan availability. The older Banias Socket 478 notebook Pentium M's are plenty bountiful in the sea, but remember, Banias is a very different architecture than Dothan. To make matters worse, it seems as though some merchants are labeling the 2.1GHz 400FSB Dothan Socket 478 processor [RTPE: BXM80536GC2100F] as a Socket 479 desktop variant which adds a large amount of confusion to the mix. You should not be able to buy the solder-on BGA Pentium M's since they go to OEM distributors only, but some find their way into the retail channel one way or another. Make sure you are buying the retail chip if you go the Pentium M desktop/HTPC/SFF route!

Considering how expensive the motherboards are and how difficult new processors are to obtain, Pentium M on the desktop is a nice thought, but perhaps a little bit too ahead of its time right now. The old fashioned notebook Baniase are still available, and finding the right one is only a matter of budget. We recommend the cheap 1.7GHz variant.

Fortunately, the state of Dothan Pentium M won't stay so elusive for now. ASUS, Shuttle and several other top manufacturers are introducing Pentium M small form factors and HTPCs to the market, specifically designed for MCE applications within the next couple of months. With a strong barebones market, processor demand and availability will become much friendlier.