Intel chips a shot at performance PCs

Thanks xStainDx...Intel on Monday plans to roll out a new set of high-performance silicon for top-of-the-line PCs. Intel's 875P chip set and a matching new 3GHz Pentium 4 processor are expected to spawn a number of new desktop and workstation models from PC makers, including Dell Computer, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway.

Although desktop PC prices continue to fall, the market for top-of-the-line PCs is active. The 875P, codenamed Canterwood, will become the new nervous system for these desktops, which typically are priced at about $1,500 or higher. A chipset routes data between the processor and PC parts, such as RAM or a hard drive. Boosting the performance of a chipset improves the performance of a PC.

As previously reported, the 875P is the first of two new Intel desktop PC chips sets coming out this spring that will enhance Intel-based PCs. The 875P starts that transition by offering PCs a faster 800MHz bus, faster memory and an increased maximum hard drive capacity. Intel said the chipset will provide a significant increase in performance, compared with current products.

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