Intel unveils hyper-threading 3.2GHz P4

Intel has introduced the fastest version of its Pentium 4 processor with hyper-threading technology.

Manufactured on Intel's 0.13-micron process technology, the chip has a 512K Level 2 cache, a choice of 400MHz, 533MHz and 800MHz system bus speeds, and is capable of 3.2GHz.

It can handle the most demanding computer user's day, according to Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group.

"These individuals can start their day with a multi-tasking work environment, move on to encoding home movies to DVD while playing music files, and end their day with the latest multi-player internet games," he said.

Intel claimed that business PCs using the technology will offer quicker response times and improved productivity in multi-tasking business environments.

The company also said that consumers using computers powered by the processor can dramatically reduce the time it takes to encode digital media such as music, pictures and movies.

A PC using the new processor, operating at 3.2 GHz, can convert one minute of digital video to MPEG 4 while encoding about 26 minutes worth of music to MP3 format over four times faster than a PC based on an Intel Pentium III at 1GHz, according to Intel.