Intel prepping 2.93GHz mobile Core 2 Duo?

Intel already plans to upgrade the Core 2 Duo processors for its Centrino 2 mobile platform with a new range-topping model, a new leak says. With its present mobile chip line topping out at 2.8GHz, the semiconductor firm is reportedly set to introduce a 2.93GHz model that would share the same 1.07GHz system bus and 6MB cache and which would still keep its power usage down to a peak 35 watts, rendering it efficient enough to run in thin-and-light notebooks while offering performance close to the 3.06GHz Core 2 Extreme.

The processor isn't given a release date in the apparent slip, though Intel has in recent years released a higher-speed part several weeks after a major update to its mobile platform, leading to a likely introduction in the late summer or fall.

A quad-core 2.53GHz processor is also expected slightly after the main Centrino 2 launch and should be ready in August, although its power consumption may be as high as 44 watts and thus rule it out for all but large desktop replacement systems.

Filed under: computers, industry
Other story tags: Intel, Core 2, Centrino 2