The Hindu Business Line : Intel soon to launch dual-core processors

It is estimated that a PC typically consumes power equivalent to about 3-4 bulbs, and these processors save 40 per cent power and improve processing power by 40 per cent.

For Intel, it has been an interesting journey from processors with different architecture. Starting from 286, 386, followed by 486 and Pentium IV processors and now the next generation of dual core processors.

The Director of South Asia, Customer Solutions Group, Mr Surendra Arora said the new family of processors, at more or less the same price as Pentium IV, would herald enhanced computing power for users. Shipments of the new processors are expected to increase by the year-end.

Mr Arora told Business Line during a visit to Hyderabad that "it was interesting to note that a significant part of the work on this new range of processors was handled by engineers based in India. This also brings a fundamental shift in the way processors are designed."

TWO BRAINS PER CHIP

The Intel Core 2 Duo processors have a different architecture and are based on 65-nanometre technology as opposed to 90-nanometre technology.

Laptops and PCs equipped with the new processors are set to hit the market this year. Formerly code-named Conroe and Merom, the processors are based on new micro-architecture and will include two processing cores or brains per chip. Hence they are referred to as Duo. Since these are just right for enthusiasts and gamers, it is also referred to as Intel Core 2 Extreme processor.

Intel has over 3,000 engineers working on various Intel products in India, he said.