Advanced Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Platform Features Faster System Bus and New Chipset

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 14, 2003 - Intel Corporation today announced a significant improvement in overall PC performance by introducing a new Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with a faster system bus and a new chipset platform. The new platform provides more balanced system performance, resulting in smoother operation and less time waiting for data.

The new chipset contains two technical innovations that accelerate the speed at which data flows between the computer's processor and system memory and also doubles the computer's networking bandwidth. A chipset consists of one or more chips that act as a computer's nervous system, transmitting signals from the computer's brain, the microprocessor, to the rest of the system. These new products support Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology and are targeted for high performance and feature-rich workstations and desktop computers.

"Working together, Intel's new processor and chipset deliver uncompromising capabilities and performance to PC users who demand the richest digital media, gaming and broadband experience," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group. "For the high end of computing, data access has become one of the biggest performance bottlenecks. Performance seekers will benefit from the extremely fast bus and memory technologies of this new compute platform, as well as Pentium 4 processor's Hyper-Threading Technology when multitasking or using threaded applications."

The Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology** operating at 3 GHz can now have an 800 MHz system bus instead of 533 MHz, the previous highest speed bus. The new 800 MHz bus can transmit information within the PC up to 50 percent faster than the previous version. With Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology, users can perform multiple complex tasks with greater responsiveness from their PCs. For desktop applications, these tasks include accessing instant messaging while playing a favorite online game or downloading music while manipulating digital photos. Advanced digital content creation tasks such as 3-D modeling, rendering and video editing are some of the workstation applications that benefit from these new features.

Designed specifically to support the Intel Pentium 4 processor with HT Technology, the Intel 875P chipset, formerly codenamed Canterwood, supports dual-channel DDR400 MHz system memory, providing exceptional performance across a full range of multimedia and 3-D intensive applications. The chipset introduces two significant platform innovations: Intel Performance Acceleration Technology (PAT) and Communications Streaming Architecture (CSA). PAT speeds data flow between the processor and system memory to increase performance. The 875P chipset also offers a dedicated networking bus based on Intel's new Communications Streaming Architecture. CSA, in conjunction with the new Intel® PRO/1000 CT Desktop Connection gigabit Ethernet controller, doubles the networking bandwidth possible with today's PCI bus based solutions.

Additionally, the 875P chipset includes a high-performance AGP8X graphics interface for an advanced graphics experience, integrated Hi-Speed USB 2.0* and Serial ATA, and dual independent DMA audio engines enabling a user to make a PC phone call while playing digital music streams. The new 875P chipset offers built-in RAID capabilities utilizing the latest Serial ATA interface for accelerated disk I/O. Error Correction Code is supported for users that demand memory data reliability and integrity. Additional technical information on these chipsets is available at http://developer.intel.com/design/chipsets.

For computer makers and system integrators, Intel also announced availability of an ATX form factor desktop motherboard, the D875PBZ featuring Intel Precision Cooling Technology and Intel Rapid BIOS Boot. Additional technical information on this desktop board is available at: http://developer.intel.com/design/motherbd/index.htm.

Pricing and Availability
In 1,000-unit quantities, the 3 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with HT Technology and an 800MHz system bus is priced at $417 and will be available shortly. The Intel 875P chipset is priced at $53 with integrated software RAID, $50 without RAID. The chipset is currently shipping in volume to a variety of computer and motherboard manufacturers worldwide.

Intel and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

** Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor supporting HT Technology and a Hyper-Threading Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.