Intel Launches Sixteen 45nm Processors, Pricing Revealed

Ahead of schedule, Intel issued a release yesterday afternoon announcing the launch of their 45nm processors... all sixteen. For the desktop/enthusiast segment, the lone initial model is the QX9650 Quad-Core, which we put to the test just two weeks ago. Penryn/45nm brings higher power efficiency with the help of the new High-K transistors, higher cache and front-side bus and also the introduction of the SSE4 instruction set, targeting video encoding.

The QX9650 is available for $999 in quantities of 1,000. On the server side, consumers have the choice of twelve different models right now, with dual-cores to be available next month. On the high-end, the Xeon X5482 offers a 3.20GHz frequency with a healthy 150W TDP, while the low-end sees a 2.0GHz 80W model. Pricing for Xeon Quad-Cores ranges between $209 and $1279.

Of great interest is the fact that five models utilize a 1600MHz FSB, proving that Intel is looking to make that the new standard as soon as possible. We began seeing 1333MHz FSB processors this past summer, so it took no time to see a push for an even higher frequency. The desktop will not see processors with a 1600MHz FSB until early 2008, with the launch of the QX9770 and QX9775 (Skulltrail) models.

At the time of writing, no American or Canadian e-tailer I checked had any of these processors available. Intel is announcing immediate availability, so they should begin popping up at your favorite e-tailer in the coming days.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2007 - Built using an entirely new transistor formula that alleviates the wasteful electricity leaks that threaten the pace of future computer innovation, Intel Corporation today unveiled 16 server and high-end PC processors. In addition to increasing computer performance and saving energy use, these processors also eliminate eco-unfriendly lead and, in 2008, halogen materials.

Source: Intel Press Release