First PCs based on Intel Dual Core Processor Systems Appeared

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A dual-core chip is basically two separate processors on a single chip. Those two processors can outperform single-core processors on most multithreaded applications while running at lower clock speeds and consuming less power. A dual-core CPU combines two independent processors and their respective caches and cache controllers onto a single silicon die, or integrated circuit. Various dual-core CPUs are being developed by companies such as Motorola, IBM, Intel and AMD are scheduled to be applied to consumer products in 2005. This option has become available in the mid-2004 timeframe as CMOS process technology available for volume production reached 90nm. At this size, multiple copies of the largest microprocessor architures could be incorporated into a single production die. Two examples of competing uses of the available "real-estate" are widening the bus and internal registers of existing CPU cores and incorporating more high-performance cache memory on-chip.

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Gamers, PC enthusiasts, and users who work with digital media can expect to see the highest performance gains from this advance in technology. In addition to its tuning capabilities, the new dual core processors feature two discreet CPU cores and HyperThreading to produce four processing threads, which will appear to the PC operating system as four separate processors, allowing for faster speeds and significant performance gains. Once software applications are updated to take advantage of this new technology, PC performance gains will become even more apparent. The model 840 processor is also ready for upcoming 64-bit operating systems.

Available in late Q2 of this year, Velocity Micro will offer several new dual core based DCX systems with Velocity Micro's exclusive LiquiCool(TM) fluid cooling system (featuring an innovative fluid cooling system that is completely sealed and maintenance-free for the life of the PC), including the gamers' dream rig Raptor DCX, the multimedia ProMagix DCX, and the digital media professional workstation ProMagix W140 DCX. Velocity Micro will ship systems at the processor's default 3.2GHz, as well as systems performance tuned by the company with the addition of liquid cooling to run at 3.6GHz, 3.8GHz, and 4.0GHz.

"Working closely with Intel's processor teams, Velocity Micro has been a part of the process for some time," says Randy Copeland, Velocity Micro president and founder. "We tested early versions of the Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 840 processor and were amazed by its capabilities, particularly when matched with our liquid cooling solution. As one of the few initial product launch partners for this technology, we are very excited to offer our customers this powerful new processor. It's perfectly suited for power users who run several applications on their computer simultaneously, and as more games are coded to utilize the multithreading capabilities of this technology, gamers will reach new levels of immersive play."

Velocity Micro's first to market product launch status with Intel reflects just one indication of Intel's regard for Velocity Micro as a leading manufacturer of cutting edge, ultra performance PCs. Last month Intel chose Velocity Micro to demonstrate a Pentium(R) 4 Extreme Edition 840 processor based system at the Intel Developer's Forum. Also in March, Intel appointed Copeland to its Premier Provider board of advisors, a fourteen member panel of premier customers that reports directly to Intel senior management on Intel's roadmaps and plans for the future.