In a bid to offer its customers a very affordable dual-core microprocessor, Intel Corp. plans to release Intel Pentium D model 805 chip in March, 2006. The chip will work at lower clock-speed and will utilize less speedy processor system bus, still, the product will be able to offer advantages of two processing engines.

“There is Intel Pentium D 805 in our roadmap, according my information it will be available in March 2006. This is low priced dual-core CPU – 2.66GHz, 533MHz FSB,” Intel spokesman Radoslaw Walczyk told X-bit labs.

Earlier Alzasoft online store based in Czech Republic began to take orders on the Intel Pentium D processor 805 that runs at 2.66GHz, uses 533MHz processor system bus and sports 2MB cache (1MB per core). The chip is expected to cost about $200 with all taxes included, which is probably an indicator that wholesale pricing for the processor will be much less than $200 - $163 or $178, even though Intel Corp. officials declined to comment on the price-points.

“Until release date we cannot provide you with exact pricing information,” Mr. Walczyk said.

Intel recently releases updated flavours of its dual-core NetBurst processors – the Intel Pentium D 900-series – that offer slightly higher performance compared to the predecessors – Intel Pentium D 800-series. The more advanced chips are made using thinner and more cost-effective 65nm process technology and Intel will need to get rid of the lower speed Pentium D 800-series chips somehow so that to ramp up the volume of more lucrative products.

Currently the least expensive Pentium D 820 dual-core chip costs $241 in 1000-unit quantities at Intel, the price-point not suitable for the mainstream market. By offering Intel Pentium D 805 for less than $200, the company will be able to sell more dual-core chips. The Pentium D 805 processor with low-speed processor system bus as well as moderate frequency is likely to receive lackluster welcome by computer enthusiasts, still users who demand general-purpose performance and deal with a lot of applications at once are expected to like the new product

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