For the first half of this year Intel has got the dual-core zone covered with the 3.0 GHz E8400 and 3.16 GHz E8500 but, as AMD will eventually get to releasing higher-clocked K10 processors, with both two and three cores the 'Leap ahead' promoter will have to putt the pedal to the medal and come with newer models.

The E8600, a dual-core CPU that will have 6 MB of L2 cache and a 3.33 GHz frequency will arrive in Q3 to replace the E8500 at the $266 mark. The E8600 release should see lower-clocked parts go down in price and it may lead to the disappearance of the E8200.