07-17-2020, 07:45 AM
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/31...-available
Quote:Intel has published a new set of Product Change Notifications (PCNs) for the Skylake-X platform as well as a number of Xeon processors. The boxed and unboxed versions of the Core i9-9980XE, i9-9960X, i9-9940X, 9-9920X, i9-9900X, i9-9820X, and i7-9800X are all headed for that great CPU tray in the sky. Several Xeon W CPUs are also being discontinued, including the W-2102, W-2104, W-2123, W-2125, W-2133, W-2135, W-2145, W-2155, and W-2195.
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There are two ways to read this news. The optimistic read says that Intel is discontinuing its 9th Gen CPUs now because it has solved the product inventory problem that was keeping 10th Gen out of market. Either that or Intel wants to swap 9th Gen parts for 10th Gen, bringing the price of 10th Gen down to expected MSRP in the process. Either of these is a win for users.
The cynical read is that Intel is killing off 9th Gen because it wants to dedicate some of that capacity to higher-profit server chips, and that the company will keep HEDT supplies low for a while to maximize its overall revenue at an uncertain time. It’s not clear what the explanation is, but 10th Generation CPUs either will or will not start selling in greater volume and quantity after the 9th Gen is shut down. If part availability dries up altogether, it’ll be evidence that Intel is devoting those resources elsewhere. If it improves, we’ll know this was a standard transition away from older hardware.