Intel and Qualcomm Raise PC Processor Prices as AMD Prepares Hikes

Buying a new computer is about to cost more. Qualcomm enacted an estimated 10 percent price increase across its Snapdragon X and Snapdragon X2 Elite silicon platforms on October 1, according to supply chain reporting from Taiwan's Commercial Times. Intel moved even earlier, putting price hikes into effect during September instead of waiting for an anticipated October window.

Intel's adjustments hit its newest architectures hardest. Panther Lake processors configured with higher-tier integrated graphics saw wholesale costs surge between 15 and 20 percent. Older architectures did not escape the revisions either. Standard Alder Lake and Twin Lake parts climbed between 10 and 20 percent, while budget, low-power offerings under those same banners took on smaller 5 to 10 percent jumps.

AMD appears ready to follow suit. Supply partners indicate the chipmaker is readying an approximate 10 percent markup across select consumer Ryzen CPUs alongside server-grade EPYC models. A formal rollout timeline for AMD's revised price sheet has not leaked yet, but the adjustment is expected shortly as competitors adjust their invoices.