Intel 4-core notebook CPU leaked; dual at 3GHz?

Details for the release of Intel's Montevina notebook platform have been leaked and provide early details of the semiconductor firm's first quad-core processor as well as the rest of the lineup, notebook producers claim today. Known as the Core 2 Extreme QX9300, the four-core processor has yet to receive a formal clock speed but will run on a faster 1.06GHz system bus and carry the same 12MB of Level 2 cache as a desktop processor. However, it should limited to large, desktop replacement notebooks with a 45-watt typical power ceiling, according to the report. A dual-core model, the X9100, will clock at 3.06GHz with 6MB of L2 cache but with the same power limit.

Several mainstream processors have received fuller details and will be more expressly targeted at thinner and smaller designs. Supporting previous claims that Intel will expand its notebook processor categories to separate chips by more power levels and size, the report suggests that Intel will have just two full-power, dual-core notebook processors clocked at 2.53GHz (Core 2 Duo T9400) and 2.8GHz (T9600); both will sport 6MB of L2 cache, a 1.06GHz bus, and consume the same 35W of peak power as today's Penryn and earlier Merom chips. A new entry, the P series, will reduce the power consumption to just 25W but will still clock at speeds of 2.26GHz (P8400, 3MB of L2 cache), 2.4GHz (P8600), and 2.53GHz (P9500, 6MB cache) with the faster system bus. This will help them not only outperform today's processors but run in smaller cases or extend battery life.

Eight CPUs should also be available that reduce the size of the chip itself down to 22mm (0.87in) across for especially small purposes, say the alleged insiders. Of these, 2.26GHz (SP9300) and 2.4GHz (SP9400) models will have all the performance of full desktop chips with the same system bus, 6MB cache, and a 25W power draw. Two low-voltage models at 1.6GHz (SL9300) and 1.86GHz (SL9400) will reduce power use to just 17W, while three ultra-low voltage chips at 1.2GHz (U3300 and SU9300) and 1.4GHz (SU9400) will throttle the bus back to 800MHz, carry 3MB of cache, and run on 10W (SU models) or just 5.5W 9U3300) of power.

A single ultra-low voltage Celeron, the 723, will also be available and will run at 1.2GHz with 10W of power; it will save money over normally expensive low-power chips by using just 1MB of cache and should make entry ultraportable notebooks feasible for the first time, the details suggest.

While prices for the chips using the Montevina platform are only likely to be fixed just ahead of their May release date, Intel's recent history suggests their availability in shipping notebooks will come shortly after their announcement and should include releases using at least some of the lineup from major computer builders such as Apple, Dell, and HP.

Filed under: computers
Other story tags: Intel, Montevina