Intel CPUs are reportedly getting a 10 percent price hike in October

Intel’s PC processors could cost about 10 percent more within a few weeks, according to a report from Digitimes. The publication says Intel has a price increase planned for its PC CPU lineup, following similar hikes earlier this year. The move would affect consumers and businesses buying desktop and laptop processors, though the report does not specify which models or market segments would see the higher prices first.

The reported increase is part of a strategic shift at Intel, according to Digitimes. Instead of keeping prices low to win market share, the company is reportedly focusing on boosting profitability in its PC CPU business. That marks a change from earlier positioning, though Intel has not officially confirmed the plan.

Digitimes also reports that Intel may cut another 5 to 10 percent of its workforce, though the company could simultaneously bring in new hires. The report adds that Intel might place its Small Core processor line into end-of-life status. That move would mainly affect industrial PCs and internet-of-things devices, not consumer PCs, according to the publication.

The potential price hike comes just over a month after Qualcomm raised its own chip prices on September 1st. That earlier increase was reported without specific percentages or affected product lines. Intel and Qualcomm both face a broader environment of component shortages that have been pushing up costs across the tech industry.

In July, Intel reported what it called its strongest revenue growth in more than fifteen years, driven largely by its data center and artificial intelligence business. That financial strength stands in contrast to the reported price increase, which would come as the company seeks higher margins in its PC division. The ongoing global memory shortage has already raised prices on RAM, laptops, and phones, and industry watchers have said those higher costs could persist for years.

For US consumers, the reported increase could mean higher prices on new PCs and laptops just ahead of the holiday shopping season, though the exact timing and scope remain unclear. Intel has not issued a public statement on the Digitimes report. The company’s PC CPU business remains a major part of its overall revenue, even as data center and AI products drive growth.

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