Intel aiming for faster 1333MHz CPU adoption

In effort to boost sales of 1333MHz FSB processor and its new 3-series Bearlake chipset series, Intel will suspend production of five 1066MHz Core 2 Duo processors by the end of this year.

Sources at motherboard makers report Intel will stop taking orders for the Core 2 Duo E6420, E6320, E6300, E6600 and E6700 in the last quarter of this year, with final delivery set for Q1 2008.

Since the previous 965-chipset motherboards cannot support CPUs that run at 1333MHz, and Intel is about to introduce its latest Core 2 Duo E6050 family on July 22 along with the introduction of more 3-series chipsets, Intel will thus speed up the transition to higher FSB frequency CPUs, the sources explained.

The upcoming E6050 family includes E6550, E6750 and E6850 with core frequencies ranging from 2.33GHz, 2.66GHz and 3GHz. Pricing per thousand is US$163, US$183 and US$266 respectively – about 40% lower than the current 1066MHz CPU lineup.

On a separate note, Intel plans to boost its 3-series chipset shipment proportions to 38% in the third quarter, up from about 15% in the second quarter.