Intel cranks out new Pentium 4
Intel on Monday will serve up a large helping of megahertz with five new Pentium 4 processors for desktop PCs.
The new crop of Pentium 4s, which will spawn a number of new desktop PC models, will include three chips based on a fresh processor design, code-named Prescott. Intel will add two new speed versions of its current Pentium 4, dubbed Northwood. A sixth Prescott Pentium 4, running at 3.4GHz will be announced Monday, but it won't be available until later in the quarter.
The first Prescott chips will come out at speeds of 2.8GHz, 3GHz and 3.2GHz, Intel said. The chipmaker will distinguish Prescott chips from Northwoods by marking them with an "E." The chips--with the exception of the 3.4EGHz--will be available in systems on Monday. The 3.4EGHz is expected around March, a source familiar with Intel's plans said.
Intel's two new Northwood Pentium 4s will run at 3.4GHz. One version, a 3.4GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition chip, will serve the uppermost reaches of the PC market, mainly game players and other PC enthusiasts. A standard 3.4GHz Northwood Pentium 4 will help to fill the gap until the 3.4EGHz Prescott chip arrives.
Intel often allows different generations of processors to overlap. The measure helps PC makers, especially those serving businesses, manage the transition from one generation to the next. This time, Pentium 4 Prescott and Northwood desktop chips will coexist at clock speeds ranging from 2.8GHz to 3.4GHz.
