Intel drops 32-bit dual-core LV processors

Chicago (IL) – Intel has informed its customers that it has begun phasing out two of its three “Sossaman” processors.

According to a product change notification sent out today, Intel that the 1.66 GHz and 2 GHz Xeon LV dual-core processors have a last order date of December 28 of this year with last processors planned to be shipped On May 2, 2008.

Sossaman is based on the 65 nm “Yonah” dual-core processor, which was introduced as the notebook-targeted CPU “Core Duo” in January 2006. Targeted at the blade-server and embedded marketed, Sossaman is offered in two LV (“low voltage”) versions with 2 MB L2 cache and support for FSB667. Both models are being phased out rated at a thermal design power (TDP) of 31 watts.

According to the Intel note, “market demand has shifted to higher performance Intel processors,” which primarily refers to the newer generation Core-based Woodcrest LV processors (40 watt TDP), which are offered by Intel in dual-core and quad-core configurations. One of the major drawbacks of Sossaman is the lack of support for 64-bit applications and the resulting 16 GB memory limitation.

The 1.66 GHz Sossaman ULV (“Xeon ULV”) dual core processor, rated at a TDP of 15 watts, is not affected by this discontinuance announcement.