New 64bit Intel Itanium 2 processor also known as McKinley is about to come out officially any minute now. However, Intel still keeps silent about the exact due date and pricing for it. However, despite this fact, everybody is already talking about the models, prices and schedule openly. Since there is a lot of similar info circulating around we dare sum it up into something more or less logical, which will give us a better idea of what kind of CPU is coming.

So, Itanium 2 is to come this week. The family will include 3 models: 900MHz CPU with 1.5MB cache, 1GHz model with 1.5MB cache and 1GHz model with 3MB cache. The CPUs will sell at $1300-$4200. For a better idea remember that the first Itanium working at 733MHz and featuring 2MB cache sold only for $1177, 800MHz version with 2MB cache – for $1880. And the situation for the CPUs with 4MB cache is a bit more complicated, as they both (733MHz and 800MHz models) sell for $4227. It is probably because of the fact that cache memory influences the processor pricing much more than MHz that Intel decided to leave only three models in the family instead of four. If you would like to compare the technical briefs of the Itanium (Merced) and the new Itanium 2 (McKinley), please consult this story.