Intel to ship more dual-core processors by end-2006
Wed Nov 2, 2005 08:40 AM ET
By Tova Cohen
TEL AVIV, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to ship more dual-core than single-core processors by late 2006, meaning higher performance, lower prices and better power efficiency, a senior company official said on Wednesday.
"Toward the third quarter of next year there will be more dual-core processors than single-core processors," David Perlmutter, vice president and general manager of Intel's Mobility Group, told a news conference at the Intel Developer Forum in Tel Aviv.
Last month, Intel said shipments of its dual-core processors -- essentially two chips on a single piece of silicon -- had topped 1 million units so far this year and the company plans to more than double that by year end.
Intel, the world's top chipmaker, is also moving to 65 nanometer technology from 90 nanometer, which means it can make its chips smaller and more powerful by squeezing on more transistors.
"Production of 65 nanometers is starting this quarter," Perlmutter said. "The first wave of products using 65 nanometers will be in the first quarter of 2006."
Diane Bryant, vice president of the Digital Enterprise Group, said dual-core processors will be featured across the company's product line.
These processors have two cores that can operate independently, with one, say, processing a television show while the other scans for viruses.
"The key focus is performance per watt," she said.
Perlmutter said that to ensure improved mobility, Intel was seeking to ensure that every device becomes smaller, lighter and with a better battery.
Intel officials said the company was no longer just a chip maker.
Christian Morales, vice president and general manager of Intel Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said Intel evolved from a memory company to a microprocessor company to become a platform company that aims to provide the building blocks of technology.
He also said the company was seeing growth in the home, enterprise and emerging markets.
"We see sustainable growth potential going forward," he said.
One area Intel acknowledged it has not focused on enough was the booming gaming market, where Intel has lost market share to arch-rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) .
"We are going to be much more active going forward," Morales said.
The dual core processor will enable the company "to take performance up, power consumption down and prices down", he said.
Company officials would not comment on any possible plans to build another chip plant in Israel.
In July Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he had been informed by Intel's head that the company planned to build another plant in Israel but Intel has never confirmed this. |
