Weekly CPU & Memory Price Guide: March 2003 1st Edition

	Product	Current Price	S+H	Week Change	Link	BizRate
CPU Intel
	Celeron 1.7GHz	$53.50	$0.00	$-2.50	NewEgg	Compare Prices
	Celeron 1.8GHz	$70.00	$0.00	$0.00	NewEgg	Compare Prices
	Celeron 2.0GHz	$83.00	$0.00	$-2.00	NewEgg	Compare Prices
	Celeron 2.2GHz	$109.50	$0.00	$-0.50	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 1.7GHz	$125.00	$0.00	$1.00	NewEgg	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 1.8AGHz	$140.00	$0.00	$-4.00	NuTrend	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 1.8GHz	$130.00	$0.00	$-6.00	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.0AGHz	$161.00	$0.00	$-3.00	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.2GHz	$190.00	$0.00	$-6.94	PCProgress	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.4BGHz	$161.50	$0.00	$-30.50	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.4GHz	$161.00	$-0.00	$-34.00	Z-Buy	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.53BGHz	$189.50	$0.00	$-43.50	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.66BGHz	$231.50	$0.00	$-64.50	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 2.8BGHz	$351.50	$0.00	$-29.50	GoogleGear	Compare Prices
	Pentium 4 3.06GHz	$549.00	$-0.00	$-100.00	BCD2000	Compare Prices

If the AMD market seems messy this week, how about the Intel market? As you probably know, Intel has been making a big deal of its Pentium-M, Centrino, processor. Rumors indicate this chip might see action on the desktop eventually, but it may be some time as Intel would then need to drop the "GHz" rating system in order to do so. Whether it be on the desktop, or the laptop, we will be seeing a lot more of the super-charged Pentium III Centrino processor in the future.

There were very few unexpected price changes in the Intel sector. We are happy to see the 2.53GHz processor under 200USD, and we currently recommend this a good buy. For 20USD less, the 2.4BGhz processor also looks like a good buy right now. Interestingly enough both the 400MHz FSB and the 533MHz FSB 2.4GHz Pentium 4 processors are priced the same. For those of you not familiar with Intel's pricing, the 4th and 5th newest processor almost always seems to be the best "bang for your buck." Usually we recommend AMD systems for people looking for a mid-range system to build. If you take the cost of a decent 533MHz motherboard (about 120USD) and a 2.4BGHz processor, you will get a better performing combination than an nForce2 motherboard (about 120USD) coupled with an AMD XP 2600+ processor (210USD).

As we said earlier, both Intel and AMD are not sitting idle with news of some of the newer price cuts and products. The month of April should bring interesting news from both AMD and Intel. Right now, the performance gap between the two chip makers is relatively small, but there is expectation that 800MHz FSB and HyperThreading will put Intel on a much higher tier of performance. AMD has its own tricks up its sleeve with 400MHz FSB and perhaps dual 333/400MHz FSB solutions. Long term, a dual 333MHz FSB Athlon 2600+ solution might be more cost effective than a 3.06GHz P4. In any case, AMD's Opteron and eventually Athlon 64 will also throw even more competition Intel's way.