Intel plans to discontinue 28 desktop microprocessors

Intel this week announced plans to retire 28 Sandy Bridge desktop CPUs from Celeron, Pentium, Core i3 and Core i5 families. After successful transition of budget desktop microprocessors from Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge microarchitecture, it's not surprising to see all phased out parts to be end of lifed. According to several Product Change Notification (PCN) documents, Intel is going to retire the following SKUs:

Second-generation Core i3 CPUs were introduced in February 2011, while Pentium and Celerons became available in May and September of the same year. The latest Sandy Bridge models from these families were launched last September.

All listed above processors can be ordered until August 23, 2013, which translates to 1 - 2.5 year lifetime depending on SKU. Intel will ship CPUs until February 7, 2014. Boxed microprocessors will be shipped while supplies last. Three models, G540, G850 and i3-2120, are currently offered as consumer and embedded parts. Once the consumer versions of these products are discontinued, the company will move their support to Embedded and Communications Group.