Intel Corp. announced it had initiated product discontinuance plan for its Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor 3.40GHz in mPGA478 packaging. The move not only outlines the shift in performance of Intel’s desktop processors designed for enthusiasts and gamers, but also in the company’s gradual removal of Socket 478 infrastructure in favour of more innovative Socket 775.

The last product discontinuance order date for the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 3.40GHz chip in mPGA packaging is the 9^th of July, 2005. Last shipping dates for the chips are February 16, 2006, and October 7, 2005, for tray and boxed versions respectively.

“Last product discontinuance demand for processors belonging to the Extreme Edition family will be supported opportunistically (as supply availability permits) through the standard Corporate Commit Hot List process,” Intel Corp. noted in the statement sent to partners.

Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 3.40GHz central processing unit is based on the server core known under Gallatin code-name and was Intel’s second Extreme Edition processor with L3 cache designed for gamers and serious hobbyists. The microprocessor was introduced back in early February, 2004, for Socket 478 and then was re-introduced in mid-year for Socket 775 platform. Up to recently, the chip was one of the fastest processors on the planet. Intel announced plans to discontinue Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 3.20GHz central processing unit (CPU) in Summer, 2004.

Intel Corp. continues to supply a number of processors with Extreme Edition moniker clocked at 3.40GHz, 3.46GHz and 3.73GHz, all intended for mainboards with Socket 775; the latter two models are also designed for infrastructure supporting 1066MHz processor system bus. The Extreme Edition chips typically cost $999 in 1000-unit quantities. In the second quarter of 2005 Intel is expected to introduce dual-core Extreme Edition CPUs.