BANGALORE: Intel has recently announced that it will soon begin manufacturing the next-generation Penryn family of processors. These new processors contain enhancements to Intel's Core microarchitecture and have 45nm process technology. Intel intends to have 15 products in all under the new architecture, including dual and quad core desktop processors, a dual core mobile processor, and a quad core server processor under the Xeon brand.

The processors will be smaller than the current 65nm process products. The dual-core version will have a die size of 107mm, i.e. quarter of the size of the average postage stamp and 25 percent smaller than Intel's current 65nm products. The new family features an advanced power management technology called Deep Power Down which reduces the power consumption during processor's idle periods.

It also promises enhancements to Intel VT–virtualisation technolgy. New processors have up to 50 percent larger L2 cache and higher clock speeds compared to the existing Core technology.

Intel plans to have two 45nm manufacturing fabs in production by the end of the current calendar and four by Q2-2008. The company will begin manufacturing these products in the second half of the current year.