Intel adds cheap Celeron, Pentium CULV chips
updated 08:50 am EDT, Thu June 11, 2009
Intel Cel 740 and SU2300
Intel has quietly a pair of new Consumer Ultra Low Voltage (CULV) processors to its lineup to help drive the costs of ultraportable notebooks downwards, an industry leak claims today. Although it doesn't yet show in Intel's processor list, a 1.3GHz Celeron 740 would be Intel's first dual-core Celeron, keeping the costs low but still taking advantage of modern operating systems; DigiTimes says it would have 1MB of Level 2 cache and an 800MHz front-side bus. A 1.2GHz SU2300, badged either as a Core 2 Duo or Pentium dual-core, would step in with more software features but similar specifications.
Previously, Intel's only offerings in that range were both single-core chips, the 1.2GHz Celeron 723 and the 1.3GHz Core 2 Solo SU3500. The move would introduce a fourth tier to Intel's CULV category in between budget and high-end single-core models.
According to the tips, single-core CULV chips themselves are poised to drop steeply in price as a consequence of the new introductions. The average selling price of an ultraportable using the technology could drop between $61 and $91, while some of the least expensive complete systems could drop to about $600.
CULV is intended as a bridge between netbooks and typical ultraportables with much more performance than Atom processors but lower costs and performance than Intel's regular Core 2 Solo and Duo ULV parts, which often drive prices well over $1,000.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
Re-hashing old technology
Intel is becoming more and more like Microsoft. In the past 2 years, they've just stagnated all the way. They have not had any serious progress in any of their chip lines. The Core 2 processors are more or less the same as 2006, aside from process improvements. They keep re-hashing the same c*** under different names and marketing campaigns.
I mean, Celeron? Pentium? These are from the late 90's .... that's insane. What's next? A 45nm 486? Or a new CULV 386 with an optional FPU?
The rest of the industry is thinking outside the box, while intel is looking into their old box !!