Quad-core desktop chips

Intel will release its first quad-core desktop chips in November, according to a new report. The company had initially planned their rollout for early next year; however, Santa Clara, Calif., company will now release "Kentsfield" quad-core desktop chip as part of its Core Extreme family in early November, according to eWEEK: "However, it's now expected to introduce the quad-core processor as part of its Core Extreme family in early November, sources familiar with its plans said. The Core Extreme, which is targeted mainly at PC enthusiasts who are into gaming as well as certain corporate users whose jobs involve creating online content or editing videos, represents the pinnacle of Intel's desktops processor line. Right now, the chip maker offers a dual-core Core 2 Extreme chip, based on its Core 2 Duo for desktops."

The new quad-core chips will be only be available in limited high-end consumer gaming and computer enthusiast system. The company currently offers a Core 2 Duo Extreme for the same audience, but the new chip can process four threads simultaneously, nearly doubling the number tasks that can be completed within the same time period.

The chips, however, are unlikely to appear in Apple's systems, as they target a different demographic than Apple's current offerings: Apple's consumer-based iMac and Mac mini currently use previous-generation "Yonah" Core Duo chips, but are expected to be upgraded to the 64-bit Core 2 Duo chips in the coming months. high-end Mac Pro for professionals use dual-core "Xeon" Woodcrest processors.

by MacNN Staff