September 8, 2026 / SemiMedia / — Intel reportedly plans to raise PC CPU prices by about 10% in early October, while some low-margin Small Core product lines could be moved toward end-of-life as the company reviews its product portfolio and profitability.

According to supply chain sources, Intel PC processors have already undergone several pricing adjustments since late 2025. Prices increased by around 10% in the first quarter of 2026, followed by another round of increases in July across selected consumer and server CPUs, with some server processors rising by hundreds or more than $1,000.

Rising memory, PCB and other component costs, combined with tight supply for some processors, are pushing Intel to place greater emphasis on average selling prices and margins rather than using lower prices to gain market share.

The company is also reportedly reviewing lower-margin Small Core products, with some lines potentially entering end-of-life. Intel has not yet announced which specific processors could be affected.

Any reduction in these products could have a greater impact on industrial PCs, IoT and embedded applications, where low-power processors, long product lifecycles and supply stability are important requirements.

Industry sources expect Qualcomm, MediaTek and other Arm-based suppliers could gain additional opportunities in industrial computing, edge and IoT markets if Intel reduces its presence in lower-cost processor segments.

Server CPU supply also remains tight as AI data center demand increases. Intel has previously said demand for its server products has exceeded available supply, with broader supply constraints expected to continue into 2027.

Intel has not formally confirmed the reported October PC CPU price increase or the possible Small Core EOL plans, and the final scope of any adjustments remains unclear.