News

Pentium 4 is Here

• By Scott Bekker
• 11/20/2000

The new processor contains Intel’s new NetBurst micro-architecture. The architecture features Hyper Pipelined Technology, which enables the Pentium 4 processor to execute software instructions in a 20-stage pipeline, as opposed to the 10-stage pipeline of the Pentium III processor. Hyper Pipelined technology supports a new range of clock speeds, including today’s releases of 1.5 and 1.4 GHz, with room for expansion in the future.

The Rapid Execution Engine in the processor allows frequently used Arithmetic Logic Unit instructions to be executed at double the core clock. The 400 MHz system bus speeds the transfer of data between the processor and main memory. In addition, 144 new instructions have been added to further speed the processing of video, audio, and 3-D applications.

The Pentium 4 processor platform is based on the Intel 850 chipset. The chipset’s dual RDRAM memory banks complement the Pentium 4’s 400 MHz system bus, providing up to 3.2 GB of data per second. Intel also announced the availability of the Intel Desktop Board D850GB, which supports the new Pentium 4 processor in the ATX form factor.

In conjunction with Intel’s release of the Pentium 4, both Dell Computer Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp. announced new desktop PCs based on the new processor. The Dell Dimension 8100 series offers the new Pentium 4 1.5 GHz, a 400 MHz Front-Side Bus (FSB), and dual-channel RDRAM. Additionally, the Dimension 8100 series offers certification for the THX audio system.

Compaq today offered new Deskpro, Deskpro Workstation, and Presario products built on the new processor. The systems are optimized for graphic-intensive work. – Isaac Slepner