Intel Introduces 15 New Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon Processors Built On Advanced 0.18-Micron Technology

Business Wire, Oct 25, 1999

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 1999--

Intel's Broadest Processor Launch to Date Includes 733 MHz

Performance for Desktop PCs and the First Mobile Pentium III

Processors -- All Shipping in Volume

Intel Corporation today introduced 15 new Pentium(R) III and Pentium(R) III Xeon(TM) processors, all built using advanced Intel 0.18-micron process technology that enables faster processor speeds, new performance enhancing features and lower power consumption. All of the processors are available now in volume.

Today's launch is the broadest in company history and establishes Intel's highest levels of performance for desktop, mobile, server and workstation computing. The new processors feature an Advanced Transfer Cache that delivers a performance boost of up to 25 percent when compared to earlier Pentium III processors running at the same clock speed.(2) New packaging options enable a wide choice of system configurations including ultra-thin and light mobile PCs and small form factor desktop PCs.

"We are delivering a wave of design-enhanced, 0.18-micron processors to all segments of Internet computing - desktop, mobile, workstation and server," said Paul Otellini, executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Business Group. "The breadth of today's announcement -- in combination with the new levels of performance -- is unprecedented in our company's history."

In addition to these new microprocessors, Intel also introduced the Intel(R) 840 Chipset for the workstation and server market segments.

Mobile Pentium III Processors

With this product introduction, Intel is bringing all the benefits of Pentium III processors to mobile PCs for the first time, offering the best combination of performance, mobility and choice. Whether running office applications, accessing the Internet or corporate intranets, viewing high quality video, or manipulating 3D images, these new mobile Pentium III processor-based systems offer the highest performance ever for Intel Architecture-based notebooks.

Mobile Pentium III processors are now available in 500, 450 and 400 MHz speeds. These new processors bring a significant performance boost - in some cases greater than a 100 percent performance increase -- over Intel's fastest mobile processors today.(2) Systems with the new processors also feature a 100 MHz system bus, representing a 50 percent increase in bus bandwidth over today's Pentium II processor-based notebooks. The mobile Pentium III processor at 400 MHz operates at an extremely low voltage (1.35 volts) and is targeted specifically at mini notebook designs. Intel designs microprocessors specifically for the mobile personal computer market segment. These processors consume less power than their desktop counterparts, are significantly smaller in size, and also have sophisticated power management features. The smallest mobile Pentium III processor package (called Ball Grid Array or BGA) is about the size of a postage stamp.

The combination of higher frequencies, smaller size and better power management features will enable system manufacturers to bring to market notebooks in a range of price points and sizes, including full size, "thin and light" and mini notebook designs. This range of systems gives businesses, students and other users the ultimate flexibility to buy the mobile systems that best fit their needs.

Desktop Pentium III Processors

Today's mainstream and performance desktop PCs will now offer choices of new Pentium III processors at 733, 700, 667, 650, 600, 550, 533 and 500 MHz. These processors are supported by a variety of chipsets including the Intel(R) 810E Chipset, Intel(R) 440BX Chipset and Intel(R) 440ZX Chipset. These processors will also be supported by the Intel(R) 820 Chipset when it ships later this year.

Pentium III processors at 550 and 500 MHz are also available in an innovative flip-chip (FC-PGA) package. This advanced flip-chip package technology results in a smaller processor package that enables a new generation of smaller, sleek, high-performance PCs, with improved ease of use.

This combination of new packaging and chipsets will provide customers with a broad range of desktop solutions with leading edge performance.

Workstation Processors and the Intel 840 Chipset

Intel extended its offerings to the workstation market segment today with the Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon(TM) processor at frequencies of 733, 667, and 600 MHz.

Workstations based on these processors and the new Intel 840 Chipset offer enhanced systems features and capabilities including the 133 MHz system bus, 64-bit PCI support, graphics support for AGP 2x/4x, and dual Direct RDRAM memory channels with up to 2 GB of memory support. These new products lay the foundation for a new generation of workstation systems and give workstation users the power to manage increasingly complex projects, cut down on design time and work more efficiently.

The latest processors and chipsets elevate the performance of graphics components for greater texturing, more fluid movements, and better display output, enabling "e-creation" for the Internet and the flexibility and scalability necessary to support advanced e-Business, resulting in better products, better visualization and more complex analysis.