Intel Postpones Dothan Processor

by Anton Shilov
08/07/2003 | 05:53 AM

Intel is probably experiencing some major problems with its 90nm process technology as it postpones its code-named Dothan processor designed for mobile personal computers till the first quarter next year from the fourth quarter this year after the delay of a 90nm CPU for desktops previously.

Earlier Intel postponed the release of the highly-anticipated Prescott processor from the Q2 2003 to the Q4 2003 because of an undisclosed reason. Recently sources in the industry said that heat-dissipation and power-consumption of the newcomer will be much higher than originally estimated, as a result, current mainboards will not be compatible with Prescott (see this and this news-stories). Now this Japanese web-site has published an Intel roadmap, according to which an Intel Pentium M incarnation code-named Dothan is postponed till early next year from late this year.

We already reported that Intel Dothan processor will typically dissipate around 30W, thus far this specification has not been changed, but in the light of the information about the delay, it is possible that the processors will consume more power as well, just like it happened with the Pentium 4 “Northwood” successor Prescott.

The largest CPU supplier on the planet will start to ship the 1.80GHz Dothan chip with 2MB of L2 cache made using Intel’s strained silicon 90nm process technology very late this year and will formally announce it in the first quarter of 2004. In the second quarter the top-chip in the Pentium M family will already be the 1.90GHz processor that will stay on the number one spot in the third quarter as well, according to the current plans.

In order to offer something new and boost demand for its mobility platform this year Intel may release the Pentium M “Banias” processor at 1.80GHz with 1MB L2 cache later this year, though, it is unconfirmed. Additionally, we may expect some changes in the Celeron roadmap as well.