Intel: Modularity Is The Future For Client PCs

Intel

Louis Burns, vice president and co-general manager of Intel's desktop platforms group, told attendees at the Intel Developer Forum here that a new 0.09-micron Pentium 4 processor, code-named Prescott, is slated to ship next year with Intel's NetBurst and Hyper-Threading technologies, two ways to accelerate the number of instructions a CPU can process.

Intel demonstrated two Prescott-based CPUs at the show, one that was air-cooled and runs at 3GHz, and one that runs at speeds up to 4GHz.

Prescott will be matched with Intel's new concept platform, code-named Lecta, Burns said. That platform, which Intel expects OEMs to ship by 2003, will include 1.3-micron Pentium 4 CPUs, integrated or discrete graphics, integrated wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2 and integrated serial ATA, he said.

Intel executives also showed off new form factors for client PCs. Smaller CPUs, coupled with improved cooling technologies, will allow PC OEMs to offer smaller and more efficient systems in the future, Burns said. As an example, he highlighted a small Toshiba concept PC that is significantly smaller than current desktop systems.

For 2004, Intel is proposing a modular-designed form factor that can sit on a desktop or be mounted in various locations. Expansion cards and drives in the design would be hot-swappable, allowing VARs to easily configure systems and letting end users to mix and match components for specific needs. The design is based on the 3GIO standard being developed in the industry for next-generation I/O.