ASUS chose last month's CES event to announce its flagship gaming notebook, the W90. Usual high-end specifications aside, the most distinct component used in it is the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870 X2, AMD's flagship mobile graphics platform, which is on the brink of snatching the performance crown away from NVIDIA for the platform. A North American sales representative for ASUS tells GPU Café that the W90 will be available from February 23, which perhaps makes it the launch-date for the Mobility HD 4870 X2. It is also noted that the Mobility HD 4670 will be out around the same time, while Mobility HD 4850 will arrive a week or two later.

XtremeSystems forum member Kinc posted some early performance numbers relating to the Mobility HD 4870 X2, featured on the ASUS W90 with an Intel Core 2 Quad T9400, which effortlessly overclocked to 4 GHz on the notebook's stock cooling system. The Mobility HD 4870 X2 carried clock speeds of 600/900 MHz (core/memory). The notebook used Intel's X38 core-logic. At the said parameters, it was put through 3DMark 06. The notebook secured a score of 20,284 3DMarks at default setting. When released, the Mobility Radeon HD 4870 X2 will replace NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTX SLI as the fastest mGPU solution, replicating a similar feat by its desktop cousin.

Silicon giant Intel, has reportedly decided to lay to rest, seven of its popular CPUs, under the Core 2 Extreme and Core 2 Quad series, by Q3 2009. The process of phasing these models out takes place in two stages: issuing product discontinuation notices (PDNs) to channel vendors and other key distributors, and to declare the product end of life (EOL) shortly after. Likely to face the axe are Core 2 Extreme models QX9770 and QX9650; Core 2 Quad models Q9450, Q6700 and Q6600.

As of now, Core 2 Quad Q9450 has already been phased out, while the older Q6700 is awaiting EOL declaration within this month. For Core 2 Quad Q6600, one of Intel's most popular offerings, and perhaps the most successful quad-core desktop processor SKU at the markets, PDNs will be issued in February, and it will reach EOL sometime in Q2 2009. Meanwhile, for the Yorkfield-based Core 2 Extreme models, PDNs will be issued in February, and they will be reach EOL in Q2. In related news, Core 2 Duo E7200 and Pentium E2200 will be phased out by Q3 this year, with no word on the specifics of their PDNs.

TC Magazine reports that Intel is preparing a little upgrade on its modest 2.33GHz 45nm Core 2 Quad Q8200 processors. The Q8200 CPUs will pass from M1 to R0 stepping next month. The revised R0 processors will begin to be supplied from February 23rd through April 20, 2009. As reported Q8200 R0 will feature a halide free package, new S-spec and MM numbers, a CPUID changed from 10677 to 1067A, and Power State Indicator (PSI) support with Intel 4 series chipsets. To decrease energy consumption and update monitoring functions, the R0 quad-core processors will bring in three new low power states (Extended Stop Grant State, Deep Sleep State and Deeper Sleep State) and new XSAVE/XRSTOR instructions. A BIOS update for your motherboard will likely be needed if you happen to own a R0 quad-core.

Earlier this month, Intel released a series of its Core 2 Quad processors with low power ratings, rated TDPs at 65W. This move served two purposes: to bring down the energy footprints of the CPUs, and to propagate quad-core chips to even those platforms whose electrical components are built for CPUs in that 65W power range. An example of that would be small form-factor PCs, mini-ITX motherboards with LGA-775 sockets, and some variants that might make it to notebooks. Intel now has plans to bring in a low-power Lynnfield processor sometime in Q1 2010. Given the amount of machinery the Lynnfield processors hold: four x86 processing cores, a dual-channel IMC, internal QPI and PCI-Express root complexes, in some cases even an IGP, a low-power variant sounds like a great engineering feat. We don't exactly know as to what low-power in context of Lynnfield is, at this point, but we can tell it will bring down platform power consumptions, given that the processor could end up being the single largest power consumer on a motherboard, and its power consumption affects that of the entire platform significantly.

Barely a month into its launch, AMD's newest processors, the Phenom II X4 920 and Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition, are already in for global price-cuts, of as much as 20%, in the days to come. Sources close to the company indicate that the price-cuts are in view of the recent announcement by Intel to significantly lower the prices of certain models of its Core 2 Quad lineup, which pose direct competition to AMD's new chips.

Once implemented, the Phenom II X4 920 would sell for US $195, down from its launch-price of $235, and a whole $50 would be waived off the $275 price-tag of the Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition, sending it down to $225. These price-cuts are not yet officially confirmed or announced by AMD, and so it isn't known as to when exactly they get officially implemented. All prices in 1000 unit tray quantities.

The the coming months, AMD is planning to launch a series of quad-core and triple-core processors to strengthen the company's hold on the sub-$200, even sub-$150 market segment. Intel is reportedly planning a rival lineup of quad-core processors to counter AMD in the segmet. While the Core 2 Quad Q8000 series from Intel makes for its current low-end quad-core CPU lineup, the new lineup will be categorized under the Q7000 series.

Characteristics of the Q7000 series include a total L2 cache size of 2 MB (1 + 1 MB), which is half of that of the Q8000 and a sixth of that of the Q9000 series. The processors will use a narrower 800 MHz FSB and will be built on the 45nm manufacturing process. They will come with rated TDPs of 65W. The first model in this series will be the Core 2 Quad Q7500, which comes with a clock speed of 2.60 GHz. The chip will be priced under US $150, straying into AMD's budget quad-core chip territory.

On Monday we informed you here that Intel intends to cut the prices on some of its processors. Well, it looks that HKEPC's information wasn't exactly precise as some of our readers pointed out. Now thanks to The Tech Report we have some new info, the new prices will hit on Monday, January 19 and primarily affect Intel's 45nm quad-core processors:

• Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.00GHz 12MB 1333MHz $530 -> ~$322
• Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz 12MB 1333MHz $316 -> ~$267
• Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz 6MB 1333MHz $266 -> ~$217
• Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.50GHz 4MB 1333MHz $224 -> ~$194
• Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB 1333MHz $193 -> ~$163

Again, this is information from "an anonymous tipster", so these prices may vary.

If the Chinese HKEPC is to be believed, Intel is planning on slashing the prices of six Core 2 Duo processors, including the Core 2 Quad Q8200 (down from $193 to $183), the Core 2 Duo E7400 (down from $133 to $113), E5300 (down from $86 to $74), E5200 (down from $84 to $64), E2220 (down from $74 to $64) and E1400 (down from $53 to $43). On January 18th, Intel will also come out with two low-cost dual-core processors - the Core 2 Duo E7500 (2.93GHz@1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 cache, 65W TDP) and E5400 (2.70GHz@1066MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache, 65W TDP). This month will see the release of several energy efficient Intel Core 2 Quads as well. Here are their models and specs:

• Core 2 Quad Q9550s - 2.83GHz@1333MHz FSB, 12MB L2 cache, 65W TDP, $369
• Core 2 Quad Q9400s - 2.66GHz@1333MHz FSB, 6MB L2 cache, 65W TDP, $320
• Core 2 Quad Q8200s - 2.33GHz@1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache, 65W TDP, $245

Acer America, part of the world's third largest PC company, today introduced the Aspire 8930G-7665 notebook PC, utilizing the new Intel Core 2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000. The new quad-core processors allow for extreme mobile performance and speed for gaming on the go. Designed for multimedia and gaming enthusiasts, the Aspire 8930G-7665 combines superior computing power, innovative technology and productivity features, with stylish PC design.

Intel has released a total of five new mobile processors over the holidays, including one quad-core CPU and four dual-core models:

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 - 2.0 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6MB of L2 cache, TDP 45W - $348
• Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 - 2.93 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6MB of L2 cache, TDP of 35W - $530
• Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 - 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6MB of L2 cache, TDP of 35W - $348
• Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 - 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6MB of L2 cache, TDP of 25W - $316
• Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 - 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6MB of L2 cache, TDP of 25W - $241

After outlining the phase out schedule for its Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, Intel today reported that it is retiring two more CPUs - the 2.66GHz Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield (65nm) quad-core and the 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo E4700 Allendale (65nm) dual-core. Intel will be taking orders for both processors until March 24, 2009 and shipping them until June 4, 2010 in trays, and until July 3, 2009 boxed.

Intel made additions of three new chips to its mainstream thru value lineup of desktop processors. They include Core 2 Quad Q8300, Pentium Dual Core E5300 and Celeron Dual Core E1500.

The Core 2 Quad is based on the 45nm Yorkfield-4M core. It has an operating frequency of 2.50 GHz and a FSB configuration of (7.5 * 333 MHz) with an effective FSB of 1333 MHz. It has a total L2 cache of 4 MB. This chip will be priced at US $224 (1000 unit tray). Pentium Dual Core E5300, based on Wolfdale-2M sports 2 MB of L2 cache and a clock speed of 2.60 GHz (13.0 * 200 MHz) with an FSB of 800 MHz. It will be priced at $86, displacing the E5200. The Celeron series is now lead by E1500, clocked at 2.20 GHz and an L2 cache of 512 KB. This chip is based on the older 65nm Allendale core, and is priced at $53.

DigiTimes reports that Intel is to phase out its most beloved 65nm 2.4GHz Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor in the first quarter of 2009.

Intel is planning to start phasing out the 65nm Core 2 Quad Q6600 in the first quarter of 2009, prompting several PC and channel vendors to start planning to cut Q6600-product prices to clear their inventory before the end of this year, according to sources at PC vendors.
Intel will issue a product discontinuance notice for the Q6600 in the first quarter next year, and call end-of-lifecycle in the second quarter.
Acer has reduced pricing for its Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-based desktops to below NT$13,900 (US$418) for the IT Month consumer show in the Taiwan market, and other vendors are expected to follow suit.

The launch of Core i7 processors may have kicked off in great fanfare, given that the industry has been preparing rigorously for its launch since the turn of Q2 2008, but sources at motherboard vendors tell DigiTimes that it might be as long as Q3 2009, by the time sales and shipments really pickup. Intel on its part, has already claimed to have shipped over 100,000 Core i7 units. The odd thing about Core i7's launch is its timing. It comes at a time when Intel's desktop processors are successful in the market, and that Intel didn't stall its related technology development to pave the way for it.

Believe it or not, although the Core i7 processors have just became available, Intel won't be giving up on its LGA 775 product line-up. According to the trustworthy reporters at DailyTech, on January 18, Intel will launch three new Core 2 Quad processors with a TDP of just 65W. These will be the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200s (2.33GHz, 4MB L2 cache, FSB 1333MHz), Q9400s (2.66GHz, 6MB L2 cache, FSB 1333MHz), and Q9550s (2.83GHz, 12MB L2 cache, FSB 1333MHz) models, priced at $245, $320 and $369 respectively. All three models differ from their brothers from the s-letter in their nomenclature. Intel will also launch a new 2.6GHz Pentium Dual Core E5300 processor in November of this year and one more, the 2.7GHz Pentium Dual Core E5400 on January 18th next year. The second CPU will be priced at $84 when available. Lastly, Intel's power efficient 35W processor lineup will also see some changes at the end of the year. The new T9800 (2.70GHz, 6MB L2 cache, FSB 1066MHz, $530), Q9000 (2.00GHz, 6MB L2 cache, FSB 1066MHz, $348), P9600 (2.66GHz, 6MB L2 cache, FSB 1066MHz, $348), T9550 (2.66GHz, 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz, $316), and P9600 (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 cache, FSB 1066MHz, $241) will be released then.

Intel has ported the Core 2 Quad Q9400 to the embedded platform, where it would be used in industrial PCs. The Q9400 is a 64-bit x86 quad-core processor based on the 45nm Yorkfield core. On the embedded platform, the Q9400 would be supported by the Intel Q45 and 3210 core-logic (chipset).

According to Doug Davis, vice president of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group and general manager of the Embedded and Communications Group, the company assures seven years of support and product lifetime for the new processor. The provision of four advanced execution units would step up parallelism and responsiveness in multi-threaded and multi-tasking environments.

Industry sources tell DigiTimes, that Intel would be launching a fleet of mid-thru-high end mobile processors on December 28, later this year. These processors fall under the 35W Core 2 Duo range, for use in notebooks. The processors include Core 2 Duo models T9800, P9600, T9550 and T8700. It also includes Core 2 Quad Q9000. The dual-core chips are priced (in above order) US$530, $348, $316 and $241, while the Q9000 will sell for $348, in thousand-unit tray quantities.

Around the same time, Intel would give the desktop Core 2 Duo E8600, a much needed price cut sending its price from $241 to $209. In other news, the P55 PCH chipset for LGA-1160 socket, would be available in the third quarter of 2009, note sources at motherboard manufacturers.

New reports suggest that on October 19th (on my birthday) Intel is planning to cut the prices of several Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors. According to the report on that date prices of the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 and the 2.3GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 will drop from $193 to $183, and from $224 to $193 respectively. Intel's dual-core 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo E7300 will fall from $133 to $113. In addition the company plans to introduce a new 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo E7400 part on that date too.

Intel launched three budget processors that include the Core 2 Quad Q8200, Core 2 Duo E5200 and Celeron D 450. The Q8200 quad-core chip comes with a clock-speed of 2.33 GHz. This processor is based on the newer 45 nm silicon fabrication process and comes with a total of 4 MB L2 cache. Owing to a front-side bus frequency of 1333 MHz, it comes with a FSB multiplier of 7x. This part is priced at US $224 in thousand-unit tray quantities.

The Core 2 Duo E5200 is clocked at 2.50 GHz, comes with 2 MB of L2 cache and 800 MHz FSB with a multiplier of 12.5x. It is priced at $84. This one is based on the 45nm process as well. The Celeron D 450 is clocked at 2.2 GHz with 800 MHz memory and features 512 KB of L2 cache. It is priced at $53 per piece. This however, is based on the older 65nm process.

Following the release of two variants of dual and quad core processors (CPU) this Monday last (covered here), A new set of CPUs are lined up for release by the end of this month. Here's a quick round-up of things to come according to industrial sources:


Product Additions

• A cost-effective Core 2 Quad, model Q8200 with 4 MB of total L2 cache, 2.33 GHz of clock speed, price of US$224 in thousand-unit tray quantities
• A value segment Pentium Dual Core E5200, 2.50 GHz priced at $84
• Another value segment 65nm Conroe-L-based Celeron 450 CPU at 2.20GHz and price-tag of $53

We continue our Monday news list with another Intel story that brings to our attention information concerning the company and more specificly its 2.83GHz Core 2 Quad Q9550 chips that will move from the current C-1 to the newer E-0 stepping. The updated chips will start selling on August 22nd, featuring the following changes:

• New SSpec and MM numbers for the converting products
• CPUID will change from 0x10677 to 0x1067A
• Package change to Halide free package

Apart from that, the new stepping CPUs will not include any other changes. Of course, like most new stepping parts a BIOS update will be needed.


Product Change Notification 108663 - 00

Following the official name scheme confirmation of the Nehalem processors, Intel today also slashed the price of its Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83 GHz) CPU by a massive 40% from $530 to $316 in 1000-unit tray quantities. In addition Intel introduced today four new CPUs, confirming the Sunday information posted on our site here:

• Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 2.66GHz 3MB L2 cache - $133
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33GHz 6MB L2 cache - $266
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 (45nm) 2.66GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 cache - $266
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 (45nm) 3.0GHz 12MB L2 cache - $576

Later on, Intel will release a third Core 2 Quad processor, the Q8200 CPU working at 2.33GHz.

Intel will release four mid-thru-high range desktop processors tomorrow. These CPUs will be based on the 45nm Yorkfield and Wolfdale cores. Two new Core 2 Quad models, the performance segment Q9650 and the mainstream segment Q9400 are dressed up. The Q9650 has identical parameters to the Core 2 Extreme QX9650 barring the locked FSB multiplier of 9x. The Q9400 is an improvement over the current Q9300. It has a 2.66 GHz core clock speed with a total of 6 MB L2 cache and an FSB multiplier of 8x.

With the Core 2 Duo, there is a top of the line dual core chip, the E8600 which comes with 3.33 GHz core speed, 6 MB of L2 cache and an FSB multiplier of 10x. There's also a mid-range offering, the E7300 that comes with 2.66 GHz core speed, 1066 MHz FSB and an FSB multiplier of 10x. It has 3 MB of L2 cache.

It has been said that Intel is preparing to launch its latest Core 2 Quad processor, the Q8200 on August 31st. The forthcoming processor features four 45nm Penryn cores, 2.33GHz core clock, 4MB of shared L2 cache, a 1333MHz front-side bus, and a suggested price tag of just $203. Specs may be right, but consider the other information a rumor, at least until further info is available.

Pentium developer Intel, today slashed the prices of several Core 2 Duo processors, and most notably has slashed the price of its 65nm Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU. The price of Core 2 Quad Q6600 drops 14%, from $224 to $193 in 1000 units tray quantity. In addition to making its most popular quad-core CPU cheaper, Intel has also slashed the prices of three 45nm dual-core Core 2 Duos. The Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 is now 31% cheaper, from $266 to $183. Intel's Core 2 Duo E8400 and E7200 CPUs are now 11% and 15% cheaper, fixed at $163 and $113 respectively.