Intel Corp. has indirectly confirmed the anticipated release of the Intel Pentium D model 960 at higher clock-speed and also said that future revisions of its Pentium D 950 and 940 processors will have lower power consumption compared to today’s versions.

In a document for customers Intel said that the Pentium D 940 (3.20GHz) and 950 (3.40GHz) with C1 core-stepping will change from the 2005 performance FMB (130W) to the 2005 mainstream FMB (95W), which means that all processors in the Intel Pentium D 900-sequency, possibly, except the Pentium D 960 (3.60GHz) and the Extreme Edition, will have thermal guideline of 95W.

Earlier it was reported that the Intel Pentium D 900-series “Presler” processors will obtain Enhanced Halt State and Enhanced Intel Speed Step capabilities in the Q2 2006, whereas the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 will get C1E technology during the same timeframe. The technologies are expected to trim power consumption of the new products.

The document also indicated that “due to the addition of new Intel Pentium D processor 900 sequence top bin products with the C-1 stepping, Intel has decided to keep the Pentium D processor 920 on the B-1 stepping through End of Life”, which may indirectly confirm the chip giant’s intentions to introduce Intel Pentium D 960 and, possibly, a new Extreme Edition chip.