Intel doesn't change prices on CPU's much. They hav there tiers and they stick to them.
The best non-EE core 2 quad chip cost about the same as a 920, which costs about the same as a 2600k. (~300)
When they stopped making the core2 xtreme it costs about a grand, the 990x costs about a grand, and the 3960 costs about a grand. It doesn't make sense but that is how they run there shop, and IT $eems to be working for them.