When And How Quad-Core Microprocessor

ntel Corp., the world’s largest maker of x86 central processing units, will reportedly release a quad-core microprocessor with more or less moderate pricing in the first quarter of next year, which will compliment the company’s quad-core chip for extreme desktops due to be launched in November,2006.

Intel’s first quad-core microprocessor for desktops – Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 – is projected to operate at 2.66GHz, use 1066MHz processor system bus and come equipped with 8MB level two cache (4MB unified L2 per physical die). The new chip code-named Kentsfield will cost $999 in 1000-unit quantities and will and be positioned as Intel’s top-of-the-range offering for gamers and enthusiasts, for whom the pricing of their PC components is not important.

While the quad-core chip for extreme fans of performance will be available this year already, there will be another one made for those, who demand higher speed in multi-threading applications than the Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6700 (2.66MHz, 4MB cache, 1066MHz processor system bus) can offer, but unwilling to spend over $999 on a processor. The Intel Core 2 Quadro Q6600 chip, according to HKEPC web-site, will run at 2.40GHz, come with 8MB L2 cache and use 1066MHz processor system bus.