Intel’s Dual Core Era Begins

Posted by Oscar M. Cantu Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop

Intel has announced today that their dual core chips have shipped to computer manufactures Alienware, Dell and Velocity Micro to be sold in their new computers. The new systems are powered by the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840 running at 3.2 GHZ and the Intel 955X Express Chipset.

“With dual-core processor-based system availability, today is a historic date for the computer industry as PCs begin having “two brains” instead of one,” said Don MacDonald, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group.

The new dual core processor includes two full cores in a single processor and allows a system to process four software threads at the same time by using Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology. Granted, all this power does not come cheap – each processor is priced at $999 and the chipset is priced at $50 in 1,000 unit quantities. Prices will probably drop when AMD joins the dual core game. Check out the full press release after the jump.

Dual Core Era Begins, PC Makers Start Selling Intel-Based PCs

Intel Dual-Core Processor-Powered PC Systems First to Market

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 18, 2005 - Intel Corporation announced that computer manufacturers Alienware*, Dell* and Velocity Micro* today started selling desktop PCs and workstations based on Intel’s first dual-core processor-based platform. The dual-core processor-based systems are geared for computer hobbyists and entertainment enthusiasts.

“With dual-core processor-based system availability, today is a historic date for the computer industry as PCs begin having “two brains” instead of one,” said Don MacDonald, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group.

“This milestone has additional significance for Intel given that it’s the eve of the 40th anniversary of Moore’s Law,” MacDonald added. “Moore’s Law is about giving you more computing capabilities without an equivalent increase in cost. This is what bringing dual-core processors to PCs is all about.”

Intel’s first dual-core processor-based platform includes the Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition 840 running at 3.2 GHz and the Intel® 955X Express Chipset.

“This platform empowers computer users to take advantage of high-definition video, high-quality sound and 3-D visualization for their audio, video, digital design and gaming tasks,” said MacDonald. “It enables increased capabilities and the power for people to do more with their computers, which will change how people use computing power inside and outside their homes.”

Dual- and multi-core processors are designed by including two or more full execution cores within a single processor enabling simultaneous management of activities. When combined with Intel’s Hyper-Threading Technology, which allows each execution core to present itself as two logical processors, the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840 can process four software threads simultaneously by more efficiently using resources that otherwise may sit idle.

Intel has more than 15 multi-core projects under development across the desktop, mobile and server computing market segments. The company will also introduce its mainstream, high volume dual-core Intel® Pentium® D processor-based platform this quarter, with systems to become available from leading computer makers.

The Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840 is priced at $999 and the Intel 955X Express Chipset is priced at $50 in 1,000-unit quantities.

For computer makers and system integrators, Intel today also announced the availability of a desktop motherboard that includes the express chipset.

Additional technical information about these products is available at www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/pentiumee/factsheet.pdf.

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Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom

Intel and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

**Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel® Pentium® processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology and an HT Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.