(Press Release) Intel Corporation has announced three Intel Pentium 4 processors supporting Hyper-Threading Technology and a trio of chipsets enabling faster and more feature-rich corporate and consumer PCs at mainstream price points. The new Intel Pentium 4 processors --2.80C, and 2.60C, and 2.40C GHz -- come equipped with HT Technology and an advanced 800 MHz system bus that allows information to flow to and from the processor more quickly.

Also launched today were the Intel 865G and 865PE chipsets, formerly code-named Springdale, supporting HT Technology and Intel's advanced 800 MHz system bus and other industry leading features that deliver excellent performance for desktop computer users. The chipsets improve productivity and enable richer digital media, gaming, and broadband experiences.

The 865G chipset marks the beginning of the new Intel Stable Image Platform Program unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in February. Previously code-named Granite Peak, the program provides at least 12 months of chipset hardware and software driver stability for corporate PC buyers. The program provides software image stability that IT managers can use to more easily manage the deployment and maintenance of their PC environments.

The combination of HT Technology, a faster system bus and innovative technologies such as integrated graphics and Gigabit Ethernet for the desktop -- plus a new stable platform program -- make these computing platforms ideal for corporate and small business PC upgrades and purchases.

The Intel 865G and 865PE chipsets are designed specifically to support the Intel Pentium 4 Processor with HT Technology and Intel's advanced 800 MHz system bus. They also include a high-performance AGP8x graphics interface for an advanced graphics experience, integrated Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s (150MB/s). Intel also offers these chipsets with optional built-in RAID capabilities utilizing the latest Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s interface for accelerated disk I/O. Additionally, the Intel 865P chipset, was also launched today. The Intel 865P chipsets offer the above features with support for Intel's 400 MHz and 533 MHz system buses.

The Intel 865G chipset supports dual-channel DDR400/333/266 memory, providing exceptional performance across a full range of multimedia and 3-D intensive applications. It also incorporates a new generation of integrated graphics, named Intel Extreme Graphics 2, and is targeted at the high-volume business and consumer desktop market segments.

Platforms based on the Pentium 4 processor with HT Technology and the Intel 865 chipset are well suited for the next major transition in networking: Gigabit Ethernet. PCs based on these platforms combined with Gigabit Ethernet allow users to finish such network intensive tasks as filing backups faster while simultaneously conducting a database query or performing other processor intensive tasks. The 865G chipset also offers a dedicated networking bus based on Intel's new Communications Streaming Architecture (CSA). CSA works in conjunction with the new Intel PRO/1000 CT Desktop Connection to double the Gigabit Ethernet networking bandwidth available on today's PCI bus based solutions.

The Intel 865PE chipset with support for 800 MHz system bus and dual-channel DDR400 memory, works with today's advanced AGP8x graphics cards to provide flexibility for consumers, and higher end performance for graphics intensive applications. A third chipset, the Intel 865P, supports dual-channel DDR333/266 memory, AGP8x graphics cards and both 533 and 400 MHz system buses.