Celeron goes dual core, pricing revealed

Intel will begin the phase out of single-core processors for desktops in first quarter of 2008 with the launch of an entry-level dual-core series, the Celeron E1000, according to sources at PC makers. The company will also add two 45nm processors in its E4000 family during the quarter.

The first dual-core Celeron processor, the E1200 will have core frequency of 1.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 512KB L2 cache with price of US$53 in thousand-unit quantities. Although Intel will enter 45nm process production this November, entry-level processors such as those in the E1000 series will still be fabbed at 65nm using a Conroe-based core, noted the sources.

Many PC makers have started to clear out old, single-core processor inventory in order to avoid overstock problems, the sources added.

Intel will also launch two E4000 series processors based on its 45nm process in the first quarter. The E4700 will have a frequency of 2.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 2MB L2 cache. The CPU will launch with a price of US$133 in thousand-unit quantities. The model number for the second CPU has not yet been set, but the sources detailed that it will support a 1066MHz FSB and have 3MB L2 cache.