Intel announced its fastest Pentium 4 chip to date, a processor at 2.4 gigahertz (GHz)or 2.4 billion cycles per second, for desktop PCs.
The chip maker said that the processor, produced on 300-millimeter silicon wafers, is priced at US$562 in 1,000-unit quantities. Intel has begun producing of Pentium 4 processors with 10 percent smaller die area. The combination of large wafers and smaller die size will lower manufacturing cost and raise output, the company said.
As expected, the chip will be available from a wide range of brand-name PC makers, which began taking orders Tuesday. Most PC makers are expected to add the new 2.4GHz chip to their high-end desktop PC models and pair it with large hard drives, generous memory allotments and large flat-panel displays.
Intel also said that it plans to ship Pentium 4 processors at 3GHz by the end of the year.
(eastday.com April 05, 2002)
