Reports surface that the first 1GHz microprocessor may be here nine months early

If you've been waiting for a processor fast enough to crank through Skydive while also sorting your recipe files, all without dropping a single frame, Intel may have some good news for you.

Hardware rumour specialist The Register have reported that sources inside Intel say a 1,100MHz Willamette processor could be in the sweaty little hands of gamers, PC builders and the great unwashed masses by February 2000.

The move is reportedly an Intel counter to recent inroads AMD have made with the faster Athlon models that have won the hearts, minds and wallets of consumers since that chip's introduction earlier this year.

Still, others doubt that Intel could be ready so soon, and theorise that the first Willamette processors will appear at 800MHz. Even those won't show until early next year because the chipset to go with it, codenamed Tehema, isn't ready to fly yet.

Intel's Coppermine processor is scheduled to appear next week, and while it's built in the 0.18 size, it's not the giant speed leap over existing PIIIs that Willamette would be.

Oh well, Skydive-inspired muffins may just have to wait.


Courtesy of IGN.com