Intel's Quad Core Processor

Today morning Intel announced that it will be releasing quad-core processor products geared for servers and workstation PCs. These new processors are made up of two Xeon 5100 dual-core processors in a single unit. This release puts Intel ahead of its rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which is expected to release a quad-core processor in mid-2007.

Dell, IBM and Hewlett-Packard all are launching about 200 new computer systems -- ranging from servers to workstations to gaming systems -- containing Intel's quad-core chips — Xeon 5300 and Core 2 Extreme QX6700, Intel said.

Intel said its Quad-Core 'Clovertown' Xeon 5300 and its 'Kentsfield' Core 2 Extreme Quad-Core will be up to 50% faster than the Dual-Core Xeon 5100 family Intel launched less than five months ago. The QX6700 will be the fastest processor on earth — at least until AMD releases its processor. Intel and AMD have taken different approaches to the quad-core processor, with AMD creating a 'monolithic' design in which all four processing cores sits on a single piece of silicon, as opposed to Intel's design of two dual-core processors in a single unit.

The Core 2 Extreme quad-core is priced at $999 and will appeal to gamers who want the best processing power in their rigs. The Xeon 5300 is aimed at companies who wish to run "multithreaded applications".