Intel plans 4GHz Prescott production on new 90nm process

By Alun Williams

Posted on 24 Nov 2003 at 12:05

Intel's President and COO, Paul Otellini, has declared that the company's goal is to produce a 4GHz desktop chip in 2004.

He made the comments in a briefing of financial analysts at the end of last week, as Intel revealed more details about their plans for their next-generation Pentium, codenamed Prescott.

Currently, the fastest clock speed for an Intel desktop processor is the 3.2GHz Pentium 4, unveiled back in June. This is produced on Intel's 0.13micron manufacturing process.

The new processor, which Intel states is still on target for releases before the end of the year, will be built on a 90 nanometre (billionth of a meter) process. This helps pack even more transistors onto silicon, and Intel's silicon-based manufacturing processes will be moving towards this as a standard (it is estimated, however, that 45nm will represent the limit for the development of such processes and this will be reached in 2007).

Intel certainly plans big things for its Prescott processor - Otellini is hoping 70 million will be shipped in 2004, reported Cnet, which will represent around 60 per cent of its desktop PC chips sold in 2004. A Celeron derivative of the chip will also address the value end of the market, Otellini stated.

See also

Intel digs chips off a new block

Intel development of 90nm technology moving smoothly

Intel unveils 3.2GHz Pentium 4