Intel Delays Core i5 Chip

The two-month delay may cause concern for vendors and system builders planning updated mainstream desktop product lines for the back-to-school selling season.

The quad-core processors were supposed to be ready in July. But the global economic downturn has caused sales of computers to slump, leaving a glut of current-generation microprocessors and core-logic sets. According to at least one report, Intel was forceful in wanting that stock depleted before launching the Core i5.

Intel will initially release three Core i5 central processing units with clock-speeds of 2.93GHz, 2.8GHz and 2.66GHz with prices of $562, $284 and $196, respectively, in business quantities. The chipmaker has succeeded with the Core i7 in dominating the high-end PC segment. The Core i5 CPU was supposed to bring more affordable product to the market. In addition, Intel's entry-level Havendale processor is on schedule to debut in January 2010, and the P57, H57 and H55 chipsets will launch sometime in that first quarter.

Reportedly, some Core i5 CPUs are apparently in circulation in Asia. On the Asian site xfastest, there are photos of what is purported to be a Core i5 2.66Ghz CPU.