Hyper-Threading Technology Meets 3 Ghz Milestone

News Release

Intel Delivers Hyper-Threading Technology
With Pentium® 4 Processor 3 Ghz Milestone

Hyper-Threading Technology Allows Software to "See" Two Processors Instead of One

Intel has introduced its innovative Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology for the new Intel® Pentium® 4 processor at 3.06 GHz.

HT Technology enables a new class of high-performance desktop PCs that can work quickly among several computing applications at the same time, or provide extra performance for individual software programs that are multithreaded. HT Technology can boost PC performance by up to 25 percent.

In addition to bringing HT Technology to desktop PC users, Intel reached a PC milestone in launching the Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz. This is the first commercial microprocessor to operate at 3 billion cycles-per-second and is made possible by using the industry’s most advanced 0.13-micron manufacturing technology. The Pentium 4 processor is the world’s highest performance desktop microprocessor.

“Just as people multitask to get more done, we expect our PCs to do the same,” said Philip Cronin, Intel Sales Manager, Australia and New Zealand. “Hyper-Threading Technology is a breakthrough computing innovation that helps consumers and business people accomplish more in less time.”

More than 75 percent of computer users say they multitask at least occasionally or frequently on their computers, according to a recent survey sponsored by Intel. The survey, fielded by Harris Interactive, also revealed that playing a PC game while burning a CD is the most popular multitasking combination. Nearly 50 percent of people owning a PC that is three or more years old said they do not trust their older computers to handle more than one high-powered task at a time.

PCs supporting HT Technology and based on the Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz are available immediately from leading computer makers worldwide. Computer shoppers can identify these PCs by the “HT” insignia on the Pentium 4 processor logo.

What is Hyper-Threading Technology?

HT Technology brings increased performance to computer users in two ways: using multithreaded software or using software in a multitasking environment. Software applications that have been written to use multiple pieces of code called “threads” view the Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz with HT Technology as two processors. HT Technology allows the processor to work on two separate threads at the same time rather than one at a time. In addition, applications can benefit in a multitasking environment – operating two or more different software programs at the same time – when run under operating systems such as Windows*XP or Linux*. Both ways add up to extra performance and less waiting for the computer user.

Background applications such as continuous virus scanning, encryption, or compression can be run simultaneously without loss of responsiveness. For example, compressing an Outlook* folder while running WinZip* saw a 35 percent performance boost with HT Technology enabled. Adobe Photoshop* can run 21 percent faster while running a MacAfee* virus scan.

Pricing, Performance, and Availability

The Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz delivers the world’s highest Microsoft Windows* desktop processor performance as measured by SPEC CPU 2000* with a SPECint_base2000* score of 1099 and a SPECfp_base2000* score of 1077. Further performance increases can be gained using threaded software or in specific multitasking usage scenarios. For more information, please go to http://www.intel.com/performance**.

Systems based on the Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz supporting HT Technology are available now***. Intel is also shipping boxed Intel Pentium 4 processors up to 3.06 GHz to Intel authorised distributors for system integrators worldwide. Pricing for the Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz is $US637 in 1000-unit quantities.

Intel, the world’s largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at
www.intel.com/pressroom.

Editors Note: More information can be found at the Pentium 4 processor virtual press kit at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/p4/
*Intel and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
**Performance will vary based on system configuration. For more information on the performance of Intel products, visit http://www.intel.com/performance/resources/limits.htm
***Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel Pentium 4 processor at 3.06 GHz or higher, a chipset and BIOS that utilise this technology, and an operating system that includes optimisations for this technology. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading for information.

ENDS

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