Intel’s Desktop Dual-Core Chips to be Clocked at 3.20GHz, Says Report

by Anton Shilov
10/23/2004 | 03:38 PM

Intel’s code-named Smithfield dual-core desktop processors will be clocked at around 3.00GHz clock-speed and will support 64-bit capability, claims report at AnandTech web-site, however, the chips will not sport Hyper-Threading technology along with high-speed processor system bus.

Future dual-core microprocessors for desktops from Intel Corp. that are projected to emerge in the third quarter, 2005, will run at 2.80GHz, 3.00GHz and 3.20GHz, integrate 2MB of unified cache, utilize 800MHz processor system bus and feature LGA775 form-factor. The dual-core desktop processor internally called Smithfield will be made using 90nm process technology, each processing engine will use the same architecture with the current Pentium 4 “Prescott” chip, however, the new central processing unit will feature “arbitration logic that will balance bus transactions between the two CPUs”.

For some reason Intel has reportedly decided to disable the Hyper-Threading technology with its dual-core desktop chips. This will allow the processors to handle two threads independently more efficiently than current chips do, however, if the chips feature HT tech, they would be able to handle up to four threads of code. The Smithfield will also sport EM64T, XD bit as well as Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technologies.

Intel Corp.’s dual-core chips will be branded as x20, x30 and x40. The main difference between these three chips is clock-speed: the x20 runs at 2.8GHz, the x30 operates at 3.00GHz and the x40 functions 3.20GHz.

It is unclear whether Intel’s dual-core Pentium 4 processors will be compatible with existing infrastructure, such as i915- and i925-series chipsets based mainboards, but AnandTech claims that Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology will allow the new products to maintain more or less reasonable thermal envelope.

The web-site also claims that Intel’s dual-core Xeon slated for release in 2006 is basically a bit more mature flavour of the Smithfield, but it does not suggest any in-depth additional details about the platform it will be intended for. The company’s dual-core mobile chips Yonah will not be similar to currently shipping Pentium M “Dothan” chips and will be made using 65nm process technology.

Even though dual-core microprocessor is a significant breakthrough for desktop computers, software still have to learn how to take advantage of additional computing power. Given that current software is still single-threaded, dual-core chips may show up under fire from analyst, as typical benchmark scores by dual-core chips may be lower compared to high-speed single-core microprocessors. 

Intel representatives did not comment on the news-story.