New Pentium 4 Processors Unveiled

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) _ Intel Corp. on Monday introduced new versions of its Pentium 4 microprocessor line and a set of accessory chips to go with it. <br><br>The Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor

Tuesday, May 7th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) _ Intel Corp. on Monday introduced new versions of its Pentium 4 microprocessor line and a set of accessory chips to go with it.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor giant said its fastest Pentium 4 will now operate at a frequency of 2.53 gigahertz, up from 2.4 gigahertz for a chip introduced in early April.

Intel has picked up the pace of new-chip introductions since last year, partly to counter competition from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. The new chip will be priced at $637 in 1,000-unit quantities.

To ensure computers can take advantage of the increased speed, Intel also is introducing accessory chips, called chipsets, that connect Pentium 4 chips to memory and other components at a speed of 533 megahertz, up from 400 megahertz previously. The chip set is designed to support a variety of fast memory that is based on a design from Rambus Inc.

Intel also introduced new Pentium 4s operating at frequencies of 2.40, and 2.26 gigahertz. Those processors, which also have a 533 MHz system bus speed, are priced at $562 and $423 in 1,000-unit quantities.