Intel is preparing a new CPU line-up for Q3 and it plans to introduce a few new CPUs and to drop the price of existing models. The top speed for Q3 is the Core 2 Duo E8600 with 6MB cache and a 3.33GHz clock. This baby will sell for $258 in the wholesale market.

The second in line is the well-known E8500 that works at 3.16GHz and has 6MB cache. It will drop from its current $258 to $179. The E8400 with 6MB cache and 3GHz clock will also drop from its current $179 to $159. Funnily enough, the E8300 with 2.83 clock, the E8200 with 2.66GHZ clock and the E8190 at 2.66GHZ clock will all continue to sell for $159.

At this time Intel doesn’t plan to drop the price of these models and we wonder why anyone would want a 2.66GHZ dual core for $159 when the 3GHz E8400 will be selling for the same price. Obviously Intel will have to drop these prices, but its not ready to disclose these strategies and moves.