Intel's Prescott processor has been set for a late October release to become Pentium's 4 successor and a direct competitor to AMD new Athlons (despite of the lack of 64-bit compatibility). The Inquirer has posted expected pricing information on upcoming models which range from the ~3GHz mark up to 3.8GHz, expected by the end of next year.
Prescott volume pricing will give price parity throughout 2004, as Intel releases more and more desktop CPUs which include hyperthreading, a 800MHz front side bus, the famous Louis XIII Prescott New Instructions and all on 90 nanometer technology. Intel is obviously confident it can make the switch with few problems at all.