Intel began its 45nm offensive last month, but its first 45nm processors are largely out of reach for most users: the only desktop chip is the Core 2 Extreme QX9650, which is both prodigiously fast and prodigiously expensive, and the rest are Xeons aimed squarely at the server and workstation space.
We’re no strangers to rumors about more affordable 45nm Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors. Model names and clock speeds have long since leaked out, but rumor sites had yet to pin down a release date. The folks at Fudzilla have now filled that blank by naming January 20, 2008 as the expected day of Intel’s proper 45nm desktop assault.
According to Fudzilla, that date will see Intel roll out dual-core and quad-core 45nm processors with price tags starting as low as $169. Previous rumors tell us there will be nine chips in total: three quad-core models clocked at 2.5Ghz, 2.66GHz, and 2.83GHz; four dual-core models with clock speeds ranging from 2.66GHz to 3.16GHz; and a pair of wildcards—one quad-core chip and one dual-core one with unknown specifications.