Intel is preparing to revamp its established range of Core i processors with the launch of four new models.
According to Chinese newspaper Digitimes, the semiconductor giant will kick off its new introductions with the hexa-core Core i7 970. Priced at $885 in thousand-unit quantities - over $100 less than the range-topping Core i7 980X - the chip will offer a slightly more palatable route to a six-core Intel configuration.
Landing in mid-July, the i7 970 will be joined by two other new additions in the form of the $205 Core i5 760 and the low-power $351 Core i7 870S.
Rounding off the revamp, Intel will then launch its quickest desktop Core i3 processor - the Core i3 560 - in August priced at $138 in thousand-unit quantities.
As is often the case, the introduction of Intel's new parts is expected to result in price cuts elsewhere. Most notably, the asking price for the 3.06GHz Core i7 950 is rumoured to be falling dramatically from $562 to $294 in August, whilst the $138 Core i3 550 and $133 Core i3 540 are both said to be dropping to $117 in the coming weeks.