Intel has
finaly lifted the lid on its roadmaps for the benefit of its OEM partners. This is important
for us cause we get to find out a few details about the planned switch from the Pentium 4 to
dual core processors.
The new processors, codenamed Smithfield, are expected to be
launched in Q3, 2005 and will be called the x20, the x30 and the x40 .
According to
the new information, the x20 will feature a twin, 1MB L2 cache processor supporting EM64T
extensions. The clock speed for the new processors will start off at 2.80GHz (x20), 3GHz
(x30) and 3.20GHz (x40). All of the new chips will be socket LGA775 with an 800MHz system
bus.
The new information did not stop at the X-series however, some dates and pricing
details on the 630, 640, 650 and 660 processors, also surfaced. These chips will feature
2MBs of L2 cache and an 800MHz system bus and should be available by Q2, 2005. According to
the latest information they will cost USD 225, 270, 400 and 600 respectively.
The
670, clocked at 3.8GHz, is expected later and should put you back USD 850.
