Intel Corporation confirmed its intention to redesign the core of the latest Pentium 4 processors made at 90nm nodes. The company’s clients will receive the improved versions of Intel’s code-named Prescott chips in late February, the company said. The Pentium 4 processors with 1MB L2 cache on the 90nm process technology will undergo C-0 to the D-0 core processor stepping change. The fresh D-0 stepping will incorporate planned power optimizations to enable speed enhancements, something that Pentium 4 “Prescott” processors badly need these days.

Currently Pentium 4 2.80E and 3.00E microprocessors dissipate up to 89W of power, Pentium 4 3.20E and 3.40E dissipate up to 103W of heat. 0.13 micron Pentium 4 processors 2.80C, 3.00GHz and 3.20GHz have 69.7W, 81.9W, and 82W thermal guideline respectively. Intel postponed the release of its Pentium 4 processors on the 90nm technology from Q2 2003 to Q1 2004 because of process related yield issues, Intel’s President and COO Paul Otellini indicated during a recent interview. By announcing stepping change, Intel either confirms previously said statement about troubles with process technology or indicates problems with Prescott design.

News source: X-bit labs