According to the info on some changes in Intel processor launching schedule we have just received, the clock frequencies of Pentium 4 and Celeron families will grow a bit faster than we have initially expected. It looks as if Intel were really concerned about the upcoming AMD Athlon XP and Duron processors based on 0.13micron Thoroughbred and Appaloosa cores. Although at present Pentium4 working frequencies grow faster than those of Athlon XP, this situation may change soon due to the shift of AMD production to more progressive manufacturing technology. That is why Intel is going to take some preventive measures to make sure its leadership is not threatened.

As I have already told you, in the end of April Intel is planning to move its Pentium 4 family to the new core stepping with 10% smaller die size and high frequency potential. Thanks to this core, which should first of all appear in the fastest Pentium 4 processors, Intel is going to reach 2.6GHz in Q3 already instead of the initially planned Q4.

This way, according to The Inquirer, in may Intel will announce Pentium 4 2.26GHz and Pentium 4 2.4GHz CPUs with 533MHz bus. Then in Q3 we will see Pentium 4 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz intended for 400MHz bus, and Pentium 4 2.53GHz and Pentium 4 2.66GHz supporting 533MHz Quad Pumped Bus.

Intel will also speed up the Celeron launch, which can be regarded as Intel’s response to AMD moving its Duron processors to 266MHz bus. Following the May announcement of Celeron 1.7GHz based on Willamette-128 core, Intel will introduce the next 1.8GHz model in June. As a result, the next 1.9GHz model will come in Q3, and in Q4 Intel will move Celeron to Northwood core wit smaller L2 cache. As you know, the entire Celeron family will be designed for Socket478 and will work at Quad Pumped Bus frequency of 400MHz.

It is worth mentioning that the launching of 1.9Ghz Celeron on Willamette core in Q3 will terminate the production of Pentium 4 processors on this core.

And I would also like to point out that according to AMD’s plans, they will be able to offer Athlon XP 2600+ and Duron 1800+ in Q3, which signals the aggravation of competition between Intel and AMD.