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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S7o/V1jIl50jPuI4StWn7bF3PDqTMDhX1189YRbYo6DFXhXt9P+PBUMrfE80GF6W
 n3cl0sduJQCLwfMteuxE0A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001040987-04-000003.txt : 20040225
<SEC-HEADER>0001040987-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040225
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040225131328
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001040987-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040225

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAGINNESS CHARLES E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040987
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS [3672]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27460
		FILM NUMBER:		04626915

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		315 SCIENCE PARKWAY
		CITY:			ROCHESTER
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14620
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7162560200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		315 SCIENCE PARKWAY
		CITY:			ROCHESTER
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14620

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES INC \DE\
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001003950
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS [3672]
		IRS NUMBER:				161158413
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		205 INDIGO CREEK DRIVE
		CITY:			ROCHESTER
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5852560200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		205 INDIGO CREEK DRIVE
		STREET 2:		205 INDIGO CREEK DRIVE
		CITY:			ROCHESTER
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14626
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001003950</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES INC \DE\</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTIX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001040987</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAGINNESS CHARLES E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>205 INDIGO CREEK DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROCHESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>14626</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.0064</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>620360</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">527,113 shares are owned directly by Mr. Maginness.  93,247 shares are owned by Mr. Maginness's wife.  Mr. Maginness disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>b:/s/Charles E. Maginness</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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