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The multi-processing enabled by four combined processors will, claims Intel, improve speeds and responsiveness for servers and better power demanding multimedia desktop apps.

While claiming a desktop first for a quad-core, Intel is also carrying the server battle to AMD, which has quad-core releases scheduled for the first-half of 2007. Note, however, that Intel's release involves a 'dual die' architecture (two separate dual-cores packaged together) as opposed to a native design with four cores sharing the same silicon substrate.

For its part, Intel did not underplay the announcement - Intel's president and CEO, Paul Otellini, declared that the new processors 'ushered in another new era in computing'.

'The capabilities of quad-core microprocessors will bring new possibilities for science, entertainment and business,' he said. 'I'm incredibly proud of what Intel's employees have achieved with these new products.'

Four new Xeon processors (using the chip previously 'Clovertown') are officially launched today, in the 5300 series. Clock speeds vary from 1.60GHz to 2.66GHz, with front side bus (FSB) speeds ranging from 1066MHz to 1333MHz. Intel states the chips have a thermal design power (TDP) of either 80 watts or a performance-optimized

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120 watt option.

The first quarter of 2007 will also see two further models - a low-voltage version for densely packed data centres (with a TDP of 50 watts) and a processor designed for single-socket workstations and servers.

On the desktop side of things, Intel states that the new Core 2 Extreme quad-core ('Kentsfield') is up to 80 per cent faster than the company's current Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800. The QX6700 model runs at 2.66GHz with a 1066MHz FSB and works with Intel's existing 975X Express chipset family.

A 'mainstream' quad-core processor is also promised for the first quarter of next year, under the Intel Core 2 Quad processor brand name.

Pricing for the new models is as follows. For the Xeons, the 2.66GHz model is priced at $1,172, the 2.33GHz at $851, the 1.86GHz at $690 and the 1.60GHz at $455. The 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor is priced at $999.

While Intel appears to have stolen a march on its fierce rival, AMD executives have already got their digs in early. Speaking in London in September, they outlined AMD's quad-core strategy. Its plans include 2MB of a new Level 3 cache, which is shared by all the cores on the die, as well as 512KB of Level 2 cache and 64KB of Level 1 cache, which is most tightly integrated with the processors. The 65nm process native designs will also be compatible with the existing Socket F (1207) and share the same (95W) thermal envelope.

AMD also denied Intel had a significant lead. They stated that Intel may 'rush' a 'dual die' architecture to market in order to claim a first to market. They claimed, however, this would only involve a change to the design for true quad-core later, resulting in more churn and increased total cost of ownership for customers.