Intel launches 2.26 GHz Pentium M 780

Santa Clara (CA) - Intel added three new processors to its mobile product line, including a new flagship chip for the high end, a low voltage Pentium M as well as a faster Celeron M for the entry-level notebook market.

The current Dothan core-based 90 nm Pentium M chip received its final speed upgrade before the introduction of the 65 nm generation in the first quarter of 2006. A new 2.26 GHz model carries the sequence number 780 and offers same features as the previous flagship 770, including 2 MByte L2 cache, a 533 MHz FSB and a thermal design power (TDP) of 27 watts.

Also new is the Pentium M 778, a low-voltage and less power-hungry (10 watts TDP) version clocked at 1.6 GHz, 2 MByte L2 cache and a 400 MHz FSB. The lower end of Intel’s mobile product line was extended with a 90 nm Dothan-core Celeron 380, increasing clock speed to 1.60 GHz. The chip sis equipped with 1 MByte L2 cache a 400 MHz FSB and is rated at a TDP of 21 watts.

According to roadmaps seen by Tom’s Hardware Guide, Dothan core-based Pentium M’s will be phased out by the second quarter of 2006. Intel plans to replace the current generation quickly with the new 65 nm core code-named "Yonah", which will be available in single- and dual-core flavors. The single core-version will continue the 7xx-series sequence number and debut as 756 (1.66 GHz/667 MHz). A faster 766 version (1.83 GHz/667 MHz) will launch in the second half of the year.

The Yonah dual-core will be introduced in clock speeds ranging from 1.66 (x20) to 2.16 GHz (x50). The second half of the year will bring a 2.33 GHz version (x60). Future low-voltage version of the chip will be limited to the dual-core chip (1.5 to 1.83 GHz), while only the single-core will be offered as "ultra low-voltage" Pentium M (1.06 to 1.2 GHz). All initial Yonah processors will be 32-bit chips. An upgraded version of the processor, code-named "Merom", will offer support for 64-bit applications in the second half of 2006.

The Celeron M will also transition to the Yonah core in 2006, but offer one more speed upgrade for the current product generation. The 390 (1.7 GHz) is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. The first Yonah Celeron M will be the 420 in Q2 2006. The models 410 and 430 as well as a low-voltage 423 will follow in the second half of the year. Intel does not plan to offer dual-core Celeron M chips.

Pricing of the new processors is in line with previous product launches. The 780 chip is listed for $637, the 778 at $284 and the Celeron M 380 at $134. The Yonah generation will continue this pricing strategy : The dual-core x50 is planned to be priced at $637 at launch, while the single-core Pentium M 756 will be pushed into the mainstream with a list price of $209.