Intel launches Penryn processors

Intel has launched its Penryn range of power-efficient microprocessors, which are designed to deliver better virtualisation.

The company has partnered with 40 original equipment manufacturers to distribute Penryn-based Xeon and Core 2 processors. HP and Lenovo have announced desktops with Penryn-based quad-core Xeon 5400 processors, with more server announcements expected.

Penryn systems will consume less than 120 watts. Penryn-based notebooks that are due in the first quarter of 2008 will use 25 watts. By comparison, today's notebooks consume 35 watts of power.

As well cutting down on power usage, Penryn processors jump to higher clock rates and feature cache and design improvements that improve the processors performance compared with earlier 65-nm processors, an Intel spokesman said.