New CPUs, such as Intel's Core 2 Quad and AMD's upcoming quad-core processors, offer a high level of performance by combining four processor cores into a single package or silicon die. However, the high cost and limited availability of quad-core CPUs has restricted their use to the high end of the PC market. Pricing for a quad-core CPU is as much as 170% higher than for a dual-core chip, according to iSuppli.
In the first quarter of 2007, only 16% of performance desktop PCs were based on quad-core CPUs. By the fourth quarter of 2007, that number is expected to rise to 33% and then to 94% by the fourth quarter of 2009.
iSuppli defines performance desktop PCs as those having the latest and greatest technology and components and that are priced at US$1000 or more. The performance segment represents only 6% of total PC unit shipments.
Quad-core CPUs to be mainstream by end of 2009
Posted on Saturday, April 21 2007 @ 13:27 CEST by Thomas De MaesschalckResearchers from iSuppli guesstimate that quad-core processors from AMD and Intel will be in 50% of all mainstream PCs by the fourth quarter of 2009.
