X-bit labs

Intel to Phase Out NetBurst Processors by End of 2007.

Category: CPU

by Anton Shilov

[ 06/29/2006 | 03:00 PM ]

Intel Corp., the world’s largest maker of x86 microprocessors, will cease production of processors based on the NetBurst micro-architecture by late 2007, according to a media report. This fits into Intel’s typical 1.5 years pattern of micro-architectural transitions.

“By the end of next year, all the Celeron D and Pentium 4 CPU lines currently under the NetBurst micro-architecture, will be phased out, according to the sources,” a news-story at DigiTimes web-site claims citing sources among mainboard manufacturers.

Even though the article does not indicate anything about the Pentium D microprocessors phase out, given that the modern dual-core NetBurst chips consist of two separate Pentium 4 (Cedar Mill) cores means that if the latter are phased out, which means that no new units are made, but existing inventory remains at Intel’s stock and at resellers, the Pentium D chips will also face end of manufacturing.

The claim indicates that by the end of 2007 Intel Corp. will offer customers low-cost processors based on the new Core 2 micro-architecture, which boasts with increased computing power compared to the NetBurst micro-architecture.

Microprocessors based on the NetBurst micro-architecture allowed Intel Corp. to increase clock-speeds of its chips rapidly in 2001 – 2003 and grab performance crown from rival Advanced Micro Devices, but at the cost of increased power consumption, which later did not allow Intel to push frequency further to catch up with the rival’s chips performance.

Intel’s new desktop, mobile and server microprocessors based on the Core 2 micro-architecture are projected to offer new levels of performance amid moderate consumption of power, which is important, as this is likely to decrease pricing of mainboards and processor cooling systems.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.