Intel fleshes out, prices up dual core Yonah chips

CHIP FIRM INTEL is still holding steady on plans for its Yonah CPU and the Napa platform, despite reports from Taiwan last week that the processor will be delayed.

Recent roadmaps seen by the INQUIRER show it on target to introduce six SKUs (stock keeping units) in the first quarter of 2006. These will be the x50, the x40, the x30, the x48, and the x38. The x stands for a number that Intel isn't yet revealing.

Of these SKUs, the last two are low voltage processors, while it will extend the Yonah CPU to ultra low voltage in the second quarter of 2006.

As we reported in our last roundup, not all Yonah's will be dual core. The ultra low voltage models for the second quarter will be single core. And Intel doesn't yet appear to have decided whether these processors will support Vanderpool (VT) technology.

Intel will also introduce a Yonah based Celeron M at 65 nanometres, it will have a 533MHz front side bus, 1MB of level two cache, and be dubbed the 4XX series. It will also introduce an ultra low voltage member of this family. They're due in the second quarter of next year.

Chipsets support the processors are the 955XM, 945GM, 945PM, and in the second quarter the 945GMS and the 940GML.

Intel has told its partners that the x50 2.16GHz Yonah dual core chip with 2MB cache will be sold at $636, the x40 (2GHz) at $420, the x30 (1.83GHz) $295 and the x20 (1.66GHz) $240. These prices are consistent with a move from the existing Dothan to the newer CPU.

The low voltage (LV) x48 (1.66GHz) will cost $315 at launch, while the x38 (1.50GHz) will be priced at $285. At launch, the single core 1.66GHz Yonah will cost $210.

The next price cuts for Pentium Ms come in late July, which also is the introduction date for the 780, a 2.26GHz/533 processor. There will be significant price cuts made on other members of the Pentium M family in the 7XX series on that day.

Intel will also introduce the 778 LV 1.60GHz/400 2MB cache chip on that day, priced at $285. All prices are when you buy chips in quantities of 1,000.

The chip giant will also use that occasion to introduce the 380 Pentium M Celeron, a 1.60GHz processor with 1MB of L2 cache and a 400MHz front side bus. µ