SAN JOSE -- Hoping to prove that 32-bit microprocessors will remain viable in servers for years to come, Intel Corp. here today disclosed development of a new central processing unit for use in high-end 32-bit systems.
The new CPU, code-named "Nocona," is a 32-bit chip that will ship in the 2003 time frame, said Dileep Bhandarkar, director of the Enterprise Architecture Lab at Intel of Santa Clara, Calif. "Nocona extends our IA-32 line of processors," he said. "It's targeted for the high-volume, dual-processor server market," he said in a brief interview at the Microprocessor Forum in San Jose.
Nocona is also part of Intel's Xeon family of 32-bit processors for servers in the enterprise. At present, Intel is shipping Xeons, based on its Pentium III and Pentium 4 processor architectures.
The company also sells a line of 64-bit chips for servers. The recently-announced Itanium processor line is a 0.18-micron device for higher-end servers.
Last month, meanwhile, Intel announced its fastest Xeon processor to date--a 2-GHz chip for dual-processor workstations and other systems. The 2-GHz Xeon processor, code named "Foster," is a 0.18-micron chip, based on the Pentium 4 architecture (see Sept. 25 story ).
In the first half of 2002, Intel will roll out its next Xeon for dual-processor systems. Dubbed "Prestonia," the 0.13-micron device will run at 2.2-GHz, according to Intel.
Then, the company will announce its code-named "Gallatin" processor in the second half of 2002. Designed for four- and eight-way systems, this device is also based on 0.13-micron technology.
In 2003, it is scheduled to have four processor lines for servers: Nocona, Banias, Deerfield, and Madison devices.
The code-named "Banias" product is a 32-bit device that is being targeted for both notebook PCs and ultra-dense servers. Meanwhile, Deerfield and Madison are 64-bit processors for high-end systems, according to Intel.
