Intel to use new way of numbering [SFGATE... gigahertz isn't everything] [View All]

[truthisfreedom]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/03/20/BUG4E5O7VK1.DTL

Intel to use new way of numbering
Model designations to focus on features other than speed

Matthew Yi, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, March 20, 2004

Intel Corp., which has touted the need for microprocessor speed, on Friday said that gigahertz isn't everything in PCs and that it plans to roll out a new model numbering system for its Pentium chips this summer that focuses on other features.

The new model numbers -- 300, 500 and 700 series -- will focus on chip features, such as improved security, less power consumption and how fast data can move in and out of the microprocessor, said Don MacDonald, vice president of Intel's corporate marketing.

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For example, Intel makes two versions of its 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 chips. The extreme edition, which is designed for hard-core gamers, has larger memory as well as a bigger pipeline to get data in and out of the microprocessor.

For desktop PC chips, the 300 series will represent Intel's Celerons while the 500 series represent Pentium 4s. The Pentium 4 Extreme Edition will fall under the 700 category. For notebook computers, 300, 500 and 700 will represent Celeron Ms, Pentium 4s and Centrino's Pentium Ms, respectively.

Despite the new plan, Intel is not giving up on clock speed. It plans to list the frequency as one of its features.

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