Both AMD and Intel are expected to lower CPU prices considerably once they release new high-end models later in the month, the server oriented Opteron in the case of AMD, and 800MHz HyperThreading-enabled P4s from Intel.

Using our Pricewatch co-brand, we noticed price cuts in the AthlonXP line have been made effective already at least for 2500+ CPUs and lower, higher-end are expected to drop as soon as Opteron makes it retail by the end of this month:

Athlon XP 2000+ - $69.00
Athlon XP 2200+ - $83.00
Athlon XP 2400+ - $106.00
Athlon XP 2500+ - $129.00
Athlon XP 2600+ - $155.00
Athlon XP 2800+ - $231.00
Athlon XP 3000+ - $334.00

Intel is set to revise the price of its 400/533MHz FSB (front-side bus)-supporting 3GHz Pentium 4 processor down to US$401 when it introduces its 800MHz FSB-version product. Later next month, when it launches 800MHz FSB 2.8 and 2.6GHz processors, Intel will also lower prices of the respective 533MHz versions to US$262 and US$193.

More details on Intel price cuts can be found here.