Intel Planning 35W and 65W Quad-Core Processors

Intel, the current leading manufacturer of computer processors, has recently introduced its highly anticipated, next-generation desktop processors, which make up the company's new Core i7 family. Coming to provide considerable performance enhancements, estimates have it that the new processors will not enjoy mainstream adoption in the upcoming year, which is why the Santa Clara, California-based chip maker is now planning the release of a couple of new products that will provide users with high-levels of performance, but at a considerably low TDP level. According to recent reports, Intel is expected to unveil a series of new processors, designed for the company's 775 socket, with TDP levels of 35W and 65W.

The 65W-rated CPUs, which are going to come with frequency rates ranging from 2.33GHz, at their lowest, to the 2.83GHz for the higher performance models, are said to be featured in upcoming desktop computer systems from leading PC makers, such as HP or Apple. Apple is also believed to update its iMac lineup with the more powerful, yet energy efficient desktop quad-core processors.

Intel is to release three new quad-core processor models, which will be rated at a TDP of 65W, and set to be officially unveiled on January 18, 2009. The Core 2 Quad Q8200, Q9400 and Q9550 will be featured with clock speeds of 2.33GHz, 2.66GHz and 2.83GHz, while their cache size is expected to be rated at 4MB, 6MB and 12MB, respectively. Price-wise, the new processors are slated to cost $245, $320 and $369, respectively.

Expected earlier than the 65W parts, Intel will also release a series of new processors with a TDP of 35W, which are to debut on December 28, with prices ranging from $209 to $1,038. These new central processing units are based on the company's mobile CPU lineup, but Intel has changed their packaging to meet the specifications of today's socket standard, the LGA 775. There will be nine Core 2 Duo models, rated at an FSB speed of 1066MHz, and with a cache size ranging from 3MB to 6MB. Clock speeds are rated between 2.26GHz to 2.93GHz, while prices will range from $209 to $530. Only four of these new Core 2 Duo CPUs will come out in December, as the others will become available this month.

Intel is also going to release two Core 2 Extreme and two Core 2 Quad processors, one of which will also debut on December 28. These CPU models are also slated for a 65W TDP, with a cache size ranging from 6MB to 12MB.

Along with the afore-mentioned 65W-rated processors, the 35W parts are expected to make up for the majority of Intel's processor shipments in the upcoming year, despite the company's recently released Core i7 CPU.