Intel updates 2003 roadmap; Pentium 4 with 800MHz FSB

We’ve already mentioned some changes in Hyper-Threading-enabled Pentium 4 plans roadmap on Saturday (Intel Hyper-Threading evolution roadmap). Additionally, in Q2 2003 Hyper-Threading will be supported by all new Pentium 4 processors.

Besides, the company decided to raise FSB of new Hyper-Threading-enabled Pentium 4 to 800MHz. I.e. there won’t be any 667MHz FSB chips, and the following chipsets will be released for the faster versions: Canterwood, Springdale-PE, Springdale-G. Another interesting thing is that new chipsets will support... DDR400!

So then. Early in 2003 Intel plans to apply wide Hyper-Threading support policy. For this new HT-enabled Pentium 4 will have slightly higher (by about $15) price than non-Hyper-Threading chips. In other words, $15 is Intel’s price of Hyper-Threading support and 800MHz FSB. The first HT-enabled Pentium 4 with 800MHz FSB, expected in Q2, will feature 3.2, 3.0, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4 GHz clocks. Note that the production of 90-nm Prescott-based chips, scheduled to H2 2003 is now specified to Q4. Besides, these processors will also pass by 667MHz FSB to feature 800MHz FSB at once.

Naturally, 400MHz FSB processors will start leaving the stage this year. For how long the production of non-HT chips with 533MHz FSB will continue, we do not know yet.

About the new chipsets. Naturally, the current Intel 845/850 line won’t support 800MHz FSB, so they’ll need to replace mobos to use newer Pentium 4. Obviously, the synchronous operation of 800MHz FSB systems and DDR400, both with 200MHz reference frequency, will be far more effective than asynchronous. With dual-channel DDR400 the memory bus bandwidth can reach 6.4GB/s. So, maybe due to this Intel decided to support DDR400. Moreover, I doubt that DRAM makers will be ready for industry-suitable volumes of DDR II shipments. Intel plans to move to DDR II in 2004, when Tejas-based chips arrive with 1066MHz bus along with DDR II-533.

Back to new chipsets. Unlike Canterwood, being a powerful logic with maxed features for single-CPU workstations and high-end desktops, Springdale, supporting 667MHz FSB, was positioned as Pentium 4/Prescott desktop logic, supporting dual-channel DDR. Now Intel Springdale family includes discrete Springdale-PE and Springdale-P, and integrated Springdale-G. Unlike Springdale-PE and Springdale-G, aimed at DDR400 and 800MHz FSB support, Springdale-P will be used in systems on the current Pentium 4 with 533MHz FSB and DDR333. The features of new-generation chipsets are listed in the following table:

Source: PC Watch

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