Tech Xpress

Over the past few weeks we’ve  heard of the enormous breakthrough that Intel have made using Hafnium-based compounds instead of Silicon, for the manufacture of it’s latest 45nm processors (codename Penryn). This, along with a new process technology, allows for greatly reduced current leakage, allowing them to manufacture even cooler running processors at higher frequencies and lower voltages. So when will they appear?

Lately, we’ve heard conflicting rumours that these processors will be put back until Q1-08 or brought forward into 2H-07. Nothing definite or attributable, of course - except that the process is in great shape and everything is good to go on the 45nm front.

It’s my belief that both rumours have some credibility. I think we will see one or two high-end parts based on 45nm tech. appear towards the end of the year - say a new Extreme Edition and one part a speed grade below for mainstream, with a full ramping and general availability in Q1-08.

There’s plenty of headroom left in the Conroe architecture, so we will see a 3GHz and possibly a 3.2GHz or 3.33GHz Core 2 Duo later this year. If AMD’s Barcelona core performs as well as they are currently saying, Intel could strike back with Penryn at 3.33GHz for sure.

I guess it all depends on how well AMD can deliver with Barcelona, which will be along in the next couple of months.