Weekly CPU Prices - Week of February 13, 2006
By SharkyExtreme.com Staff : February 16, 2006Welcome to the Sharky Extreme Weekly CPU Prices. This is a weekly update on CPU prices we find around the net.
We have several different tables to help you find what you are looking for, sorted by manufacturer; (AMD or Intel) sorted by price; tables showing only high-end or low-end CPUs, all to make your research and subsequent buying decision a bit easier. Use our handy "jump to" feature at the bottom of each page to quickly get where you need to go.
If you are new to this feature and are wondering just exactly how we get these prices, and how YOU can get them, the last page of this guide describes our search methods. Please note that most prices listed were found using PriceWatch and are only for phone orders, requiring that you call the vendors and tell them you found a specific price on PriceWatch or "on Sharky Extreme's Weekly CPU Price Guide, which uses PriceWatch." Also please note that prices change daily, while our guide is only updated weekly; so you will need to get an updated price.
So without further ado here is the Weekly CPU Pricing Guide...
After a week that was nearly devoid of price drops, this week's AMD charts contain some of the biggest drops we've ever seen. While the Opteron section of these charts may not be the first place shoppers look to for bargains, a whopping $356 drop in the price 2GHz Opteron 270, along with similar movement in other Opteron models, will likely change that for more than one reader of the guide.
| CPU Type | Price | Change | Vendor | Phone # |
| Sempron 2500+ S754 (1.4GHz) | $71 | $5 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 2600+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $71 | $3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 2800+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $74 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3000+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $84 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3100+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $94 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3300+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $96 | -$3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 3400+ S754 (2.0GHz) | $119 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 3000+ (1.8GHz/S939) | $162 | $0 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz/S939) | $165 | $7 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $201 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 3700+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $233 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $282 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 4000+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $334 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (2.0GHz/S939 - Retail) | $295 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $355 | -$2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $458 | -$1 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $545 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $630 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 FX-55 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $811 | -$1 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 FX-57 (2.8GHz/S939 - Retail) | $814 | $2 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 FX-60 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $1011 | -$2 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 244 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $190 | -$1 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Opteron 246 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $208 | -$31 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 248 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $233 | -$91 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 250 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $337 | -$124 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 252 (2.6GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$200 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 254 (2.8GHz - Retail) | $699 | -$147 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 265 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $347 | -$342 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 270 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$356 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 275 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $789 | -$250 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 280 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $1325 | $0 | Newegg | 800-611-0875 |
Intel Comments
Once again, most of the tracked Intel prices are holding pretty steady. And once again, a couple of processors defied that trend and experienced significant price drops. The biggest, a $103 cut to the price of the 3.46GHz Pentium 955 Extreme, can be largely attributed to its having recently debuted in the guide. But the other significant price change, a $28 drop in the price of the 2.8GHz Pentium 4 820, comes with no such disclaimer.
Thankfully, the recent trend of larger price cuts peppering what would otherwise have been a bland Weekly CPU price guide has continued. In fact, both of the major sections of the guide contain some noteworthy price activity, although it's Intel leading on the desktop side, while the three-figure Opteron 2xx drops found in the AMD charts that are sure to make some readers stop and take notice.
| CPU Type | Price | Change | Vendor | Phone # |
| Celeron D 320 2.4GHz S478 | $63 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 325 2.53GHz S478 | $71 | -$3 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Celeron D 326 2.53GHz LGA775 | $70 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 330 2.66GHz S478 | $66 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 331 2.66GHz LGA775 | $72 | -$6 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 335 2.8GHz S478 | $82 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Celeron D 341 2.93GHz LGA775 | $90 | N/A | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Celeron D 351 3.2GHz LGA775 | $117 | N/A | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| P4-3.0EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $194 | $2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| P4-3.2EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $230 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| P4 530J 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $189 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| P4 540J 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $218 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| P4 560J 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $395 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 630 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $177 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 640 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 650 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $272 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 660 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $408 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 670 3.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $600 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Pentium D 820 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | -$28 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 830 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $271 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 840 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $359 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium 840 Extreme 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $1002 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Pentium D 920 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $257 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 930 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $332 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 940 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $439 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 950 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $652 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium 955 Extreme 3.46GHz/1066 LGA775 (Retail) | $1045 | -$103 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
How about Intel and AMD prices on the same page? The next few charts have it all, starting with high-end CPUs.
High-End CPU Prices
The High-End processor market is made up of the fastest and most expensive CPUs that you can buy. This is also an area where money talks and money walks, especially at the top-end of the scale, where the budget-minded definitely fear to tread. To help select the right high-end CPU for your own specific configuration, we've sorted these based on model, speed and then split the CPUs into retail and OEM sections if required. This is an excellent method of gauging where the high-end "best buys" may be, especially between the OEM and Retail versions.
AMD vs. Intel High-End CPU Prices
| CPU Type | Price | Change | Vendor | Phone # |
| P4-3.0EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $194 | $2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| P4-3.2EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $230 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| P4 530J 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $189 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| P4 540J 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $218 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| P4 560J 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $395 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 630 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $177 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 640 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 650 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $272 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 660 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $408 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 670 3.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $600 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Pentium D 820 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | -$28 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 830 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $271 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 840 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $359 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium 840 Extreme 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $1002 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Pentium D 920 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $257 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 930 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $332 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 940 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $439 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 950 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $652 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium 955 Extreme 3.46GHz/1066 LGA775 (Retail) | $1045 | -$103 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Athlon 64 3000+ (1.8GHz/S939) | $162 | $0 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz/S939) | $165 | $7 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $201 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 3700+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $233 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $282 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 4000+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $334 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (2.0GHz/S939 - Retail) | $295 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $355 | -$2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $458 | -$1 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $545 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $630 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 FX-55 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $811 | -$1 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 FX-57 (2.8GHz/S939 - Retail) | $814 | $2 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 FX-60 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $1011 | -$2 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 244 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $190 | -$1 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Opteron 246 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $208 | -$31 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 248 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $233 | -$91 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 250 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $337 | -$124 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 252 (2.6GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$200 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 254 (2.8GHz - Retail) | $699 | -$147 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 265 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $347 | -$342 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 270 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$356 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 275 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $789 | -$250 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 280 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $1325 | $0 | Newegg | 800-611-0875 |
For a similar comparison of entry-level Intel vs. AMD CPU prices, click to the next page...
Entry-Level CPU Prices
The Entry-Level processor selection is comprised of both Intel and AMD value CPUs, which combine a lower overall cost with slightly less robust performance. It's still a great place to get some serious bang for your processor buck, and many gamers love the cost savings that these entry-level processors allow. The following chart groups the Intel and AMD value processor by model and line, and then sorts each of these sections by retail price. While a bit shorter than the High-End price chart, it still gives a very good view of the overall price structure, and eagle-eyed readers will pick out the best buys with little effort.
Intel vs. AMD Entry-Level CPU Prices
| CPU Type | Price | Change | Vendor | Phone # |
| Sempron 2500+ S754 (1.4GHz) | $71 | $5 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 2600+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $71 | $3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 2800+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $74 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3000+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $84 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3100+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $94 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3300+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $96 | -$3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 3400+ S754 (2.0GHz) | $119 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Celeron D 320 2.4GHz S478 | $63 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 325 2.53GHz S478 | $71 | -$3 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Celeron D 326 2.53GHz LGA775 | $70 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 330 2.66GHz S478 | $66 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 331 2.66GHz LGA775 | $72 | -$6 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 335 2.8GHz S478 | $82 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Celeron D 341 2.93GHz LGA775 | $90 | N/A | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Celeron D 351 3.2GHz LGA775 | $117 | N/A | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
For a ranking of Intel and AMD CPUs sorted by price, click to the next page...
CPUs Sorted by Price
High-End or Low-End, it's all the same in the following CPU price chart. This is the big one, the grand-daddy price list gathering all the previous CPU prices and combining them into one monster chart. To top it off, we also sort based on price, starting with the low-cost processors, and moving up to the most expensive, cutting-edge performance models. This gives an incredible view of the overall CPU market, not only comparing the basic Intel vs. AMD processors against each other, but allowing a closer look at how the different processor lines match up as well.
Intel and AMD CPU Prices Sorted by Price
| CPU Type | Price | Change | Vendor | Phone # |
| Celeron D 320 2.4GHz S478 | $63 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 330 2.66GHz S478 | $66 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 326 2.53GHz LGA775 | $70 | -$3 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Celeron D 325 2.53GHz S478 | $71 | -$3 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Sempron 2600+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $71 | $3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 2500+ S754 (1.4GHz) | $71 | $5 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Celeron D 331 2.66GHz LGA775 | $72 | -$6 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Sempron 2800+ S754 (1.6GHz) | $74 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Celeron D 335 2.8GHz S478 | $82 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Sempron 3000+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $84 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Celeron D 341 2.93GHz LGA775 | $90 | N/A | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Sempron 3100+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $94 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Sempron 3300+ S754 (1.8GHz) | $96 | -$3 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Celeron D 351 3.2GHz LGA775 | $117 | N/A | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Sempron 3400+ S754 (2.0GHz) | $119 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 3000+ (1.8GHz/S939) | $162 | $0 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz/S939) | $165 | $7 | Xtreme Gear | 888-937-5580 |
| P4 630 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $177 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 530J 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $189 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 244 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $190 | -$1 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| P4-3.0EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $194 | $2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $201 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Opteron 246 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $208 | -$31 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Pentium D 820 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | -$28 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 640 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $215 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 540J 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $218 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| P4-3.2EGHz/800 S478 Prescott (Retail) | $230 | -$1 | eWiz | 408-934-2500 |
| Opteron 248 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $233 | -$91 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Athlon 64 3700+ (2.2GHz/S939) | $233 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Pentium D 920 2.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $257 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 830 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $271 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 650 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $272 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $282 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (2.0GHz/S939 - Retail) | $295 | $0 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Pentium D 930 3.0GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $332 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 4000+ (2.4GHz/S939) | $334 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Opteron 250 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $337 | -$124 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 265 (1.8GHz - Retail) | $347 | -$342 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $355 | -$2 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Pentium D 840 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $359 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 560J 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $395 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 660 3.6GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $408 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 940 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $439 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.2GHz/S939 - Retail) | $458 | -$1 | ChiefValue | 888-611-4165 |
| Opteron 270 (2.0GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$356 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 252 (2.6GHz - Retail) | $489 | -$200 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $545 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| P4 670 3.8GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $600 | $0 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (2.4GHz/S939 - Retail) | $630 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Pentium D 950 3.4GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $652 | $0 | mwave | 800-234-3358 |
| Opteron 254 (2.8GHz - Retail) | $699 | -$147 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Opteron 275 (2.2GHz - Retail) | $789 | -$250 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 FX-55 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $811 | -$1 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Athlon 64 FX-57 (2.8GHz/S939 - Retail) | $814 | $2 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Pentium 840 Extreme 3.2GHz/800 LGA775 (Retail) | $1002 | $0 | Newegg | 800-390-1119 |
| Athlon 64 FX-60 (2.6GHz/S939 - Retail) | $1011 | -$2 | Monarch | 800-611-0875 |
| Pentium 955 Extreme 3.46GHz/1066 LGA775 (Retail) | $1045 | -$103 | ZipZoomFly | 877-228-6958 |
| Opteron 280 (2.4GHz - Retail) | $1325 | $0 | Newegg | 800-611-0875 |
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Each week we scour the price engine circuit to find the lowest online prices for CPUs. CPU prices change frequently and the prices we obtain and post each week are a snapshot of the CPU price market for a given moment in time. Prices can go up and down daily, depending on market conditions and availability. The "Change" column lists the price difference between this week and last week's posted prices on Sharky Extreme.
Most of the prices listed are for the "OEM" versions of the chips, also referred to as "tray" or non-retail, which are typically 10 to 15% cheaper than their retail or boxed counterparts. OEM CPUs usually do not come equipped with a heat sink or fan. They also usually come with a weak warranty, often in the range of 15-30 days. That is usually enough time for you to burn-in your CPU and make sure it's ok. Retail prices are higher since they generally include the longer warranties, fans, heatsinks, etc. that OEM packaging does not. If we quote retail prices for certain CPU models, it will be noted as such.
Prices listed do not include any additional charges for shipping, sales tax, etc. Be sure and ask your vendor about those charges before ordering.
Some online vendors will have different prices for phone vs. online orders. Many vendors will honor these online prices only if you can state where you found the price; therefore you must mention a price engine such as www.pricewatch.com and/or tell them that you saw the price in Sharky Extreme's weekly CPU pricing guide, which uses Pricewatch. Before you think of buying from any of the vendors listed in our charts, we recommend you do your own research concerning a particular company's customer service and prior history, or just hit our very own Sharky Forums and ask for some advice.
Incidentally, the list of vendors we come up with each week is generated by hand from our own research and Sharky Extreme does not receive any sort of advertising fee, sponsorship or other type of promotional incentive from any of these companies that appear on the list. We are in no way recommending or endorsing any of these companies, we're just bringing you a weekly snapshot of prices and their sources.
So use the tables as a reference guide of what is available but try not to grumble if you can't find the CPU of your choice at our listed price; CPU prices are constantly changing depending on market conditions. Happy hunting!
