It looks like Intel may yet get the first foot hold in the dual-core arena against AMD — today they announced they have started production on a dual-core processor. They also announced that they will have two dual-core processors available in the 2Q of this year: one a “Smithfield” and the other based on the “Extreme Edition” technology. The EE dual-core CPU will also have HyperThreading for a total of four concurrent threads being able to run on the system!
You can catch the official PR release on their website.
Today, we’re announcing that we’ve completed our initial production runs of dual-core processors for desktop computers. These first dual-core desktop products are just one of Intel’s 10+ multi-core related projects underway for 2005-2006. The company also plans to increase its software and solutions enabling product lines, tools, investment and programs to further spur software design and validation.
We’re also providing several new details today to customers about our dual-core desktop processor roadmap. New disclosures include:
· Intel plans to deliver two separate dual-core products and dual-core enabled chipsets for the Extreme Edition and Pentium processor-class families in the second quarter. Both dual-core processors will also feature the Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology.
· The Extreme Edition processor, based on 90-nm, will be combined with a chipset code-named ‘Glenwood,’ that includes several features that will make this an ideal platform for people who crave computing power for audio, video, digital design and gaming tasks. It also will include HT Technology, featuring four thread or multi-processing capabilities. The additional threading capabilities will provide an additional performance boost.
· Intel will also introduce its mainstream 90-nm based ‘Smithfield’ processor, which will also be introduced in the second quarter, with a new chipset code-named ‘Lakeport’
· Previously, we’d only confirmed that we’d introduce a dual-core processor for desktop PCs during 2005, without providing details on what part of the year it’d be available, and had not disclosed that it would support HT Technology and feature four threads.
· We also disclosed to customers that the company’s first 65-nm desktop dual-core chip is healthy & up and running in our factory. We’re not providing further details on this product at this time.
