The Sun starts its path around the sky in Japan and so do the new computer components. Sometimes we can spot devices listed for sale in different Japanese computer stores even before their official announcement. For example, on Saturday a shop started to sell Intel Celeron 2GHz processors, as I read over this Japanese web-site.

The revealed CPU is made using 0.13 micron technology, but the core it is based on is not the Northwood-256. We reported a number of weeks ago that the first 0.13 micron Celeron processors will provide only 128KB of L2 cache and the transition to 256KB model will not happen in the nearest future, moreover, there are a lot of doubts about the value CPUs to support 256KB of L2 even in the long-term. Intel also decided not to introduce 1.9GHz model of the Celeron processor, but step to 2.0GHz after the 1.8GHz.

The core voltage of the novelty is 1.525V, 0.025V more than it is needed to feed the much more powerful Pentium 4 2.0GHz. Intel Celeron 2GHz costs $110, what is just normal for the top model of Celeron line. Currently the 1.8 GHz version costs $83, so, the one with 200MHz higher clock-speed, manufactured using thinner technology should definitely cost more. It is quite naturally, the Celeron 2.0GHz utilises 400MHz Quad Pumped Bus.

If something appears unofficially, it should be a sign of the approaching announcement. According to our sources, the new CPU will be officially unveiled on the 38th week, generally, this week. Prepare for the review as well.