July 19th, 2007
Intel: Penryn at the ready?
Some signs are pointing to an effort by Intel attempting to bring out its 45-nanometer Penryn processors during the fourth quarter. (And no, I’m not just messing around with the office’s Magic 8 Ball.)
Normally, when Intel is planning to introduce a processor early in the coming year, it Intel begins shipping that chip during the fourth quarter so that it can be made available in systems on day of launch during the first quarter. Intel did this with its Pentium D, for example. It gets started early as it takes several weeks for inventories to build and then for systems to be manufactured, shipped and, in the case of consumer PCs, be placed on retail shelves.
But there’s always the temptation bring a healthy new product to market early. Intel has pulled in the launches of its last several processors as part of its efforts to get back on track during 2006. Now that the company is faring much better financially, it may be working also deliver Penryn early in order to stay ahead of the game. That is, at least according to some press reports.
Digitimes, for one, (link here) is reporting Penryn-based desktop chips will arrive in the fourth quarter. Intel has said nothing (to me personally or to any other public source I am aware of) yet about its Penryn launch plan. But CEO Paul Otellini did mention during Intel’s second quarter earnings call on Tuesday that the chips are already sampling to PC makers. He also said he’d have much more to say during the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco in September.
So signs do point to yes. At least a little.
Intel certainly has the motivation to bring Penryn out as soon as possible, given that Advance Micro Devices is nearing the launch of its “Barcelona” Opteron server chips and its Phenom desktop processors. What better way for Intel to steal AMD’s thunder than to deliver a higher-performing processor of its own and do so several weeks early. Meanwhile, the infrastructure to support Penryn is getting into place. Intel’s 3 series chipsets, which support Penryn processors, are making their way into desktops now, making the refresh a relatively simple plug and play operation. (At least from the high-level.)
Will Penryn be out in time for fourth quarter/holiday shopping season? Time will tell. But it’s going to be interesting watching how the latest chapter in Intel vs. AMD unfolds during the second half.
