Intel i7 price drops - new value?

[TheTony]

I'm about halfway into an Intel i7 build - plans are to use the i7 860. However, it appears the July price drop reports have materialized, and the difference between the 860 & 870 has been narrowed to $30 (at least at my local MC).

At twice the price, most people would be hard pressed to say the extra cost was worth it. At $30, does this still hold true?

Interestingly, there's other factors that may continue the downward trend, through August. A reported price drop on higher-end i7s may cause additional pressure on the 870. Also, the fallout from Intel's latest legal battle may result in price adjustments (if reports are to be believed).

 

[mfenn]

The 760 and 870 are the chips to get IMHO.

 

[Davidh373]

I'm one to say overclocking isn't worth any amount of money, but I'd go about $10 per 100Mhz if it were me. It looks like they are the same price on newegg right now though. $289 a piece WOW... almost makes you tempted to go with the $200 Phenom II X6 huh...?

 

[Meghan54]

I'm one to say overclocking isn't worth any amount of money, but I'd go about $10 per 100Mhz if it were me. It looks like they are the same price on newegg right now though. $289 a piece WOW... almost makes you tempted to go with the $200 Phenom II X6 huh...?

Ummmm, no, unless you're a lemming and have to buy from Newegg.

But, as the OP said, he's considering an 860 @ $219 vs. an 870 @ $249.

 

[Davidh373]

Ummmm, no, unless you're a lemming and have to buy from Newegg.

But, as the OP said, he's considering an 860 @ $219 vs. an 870 @ $249.

I don't have a microcenter anywhere near me (for at least 100 miles), so I don't have much choice..., but as I said, I'm not paying for a slight overclock. That is just silly. Go for the less expensive 860.

 

[TheTony]

The 760 and 870 are the chips to get IMHO.

Can you elaborate? As far as I noted, they're nearly identical, save for clock speed.

Ummmm, no, unless you're a lemming and have to buy from Newegg.

But, as the OP said, he's considering an 860 @ $219 vs. an 870 @ $249.

Thanks for clarifying the pricing.

At this point, even with the huge drop in the 870 pricing, I'd likely stick to the 860. That said, if the pricing forecasts hold true, the 870 may have further to fall...

 

[mfenn]

Can you elaborate? As far as I noted, they're nearly identical, save for clock speed.

You answered your own question there. Intel's official pricing guidance has the 860 and 870 at the exact same price, so the gap will continue to close.

 

[TheTony]

Thanks, mfenn. I guess the 870 would be the one to get, given equal pricing, which these two don't have in this case...yet.

 

[Davidh373]

Thanks, mfenn. I guess the 870 would be the one to get, given equal pricing, which these two don't have in this case...yet.

I would agree. Might as well 🙂.