Intel to Begin Shipments of Clarkdale Chips on January 7, 2010.

Intel Corp. has already started the production of its next-generation “Arrandale” and “Clarkdale” processors using 32nm fabrication technology. The world’s largest maker of chips will initiate shipments of its new processors In early December, to ensure that end-users will be able to buy new systems on their base starting early January, 2010.

Intel will begin sales on the 10th of December, 2009 of its Core i3, Core i5 and Pentium processors based on Clarkdale design , to distributors, and retailers, who then sell central processing units, mainboards based on Intel Q57, Intel H55 and Intel H57 to OEMs and other customers. Intel’s goal is to have systems based on the new chips available for sale by January 7, 2010.

Intel Clarkdale are dual-core microprocessors based on Westmere micro-architecture with 4MB of cache, Hyper-Threading, dual-channel DDR3 memory controllers and integrated graphics cores. Both Arrandale and Clarkdale are multi-chip modules featuring one dual-core processor made using 32nm fabrication process and graphics and other system logic core produced at 45nm node.Arrandale are similar chips aimed at mobile computers.

The Clarkdale chips are desktop-orientes, which will be sold under Core i5, Core i3 and Pentium brands, will work at up to 3.46GHz, and sport Hyper-Threading technology and will consume about 73W, with the exception of Core i5 661, which will feature 900MHz graphics core and 87W thermal envelope. The chips will be compatible with LGA1156 infrastructure provided that BIOS versions support the new chips

Specifications of mobile Arrandale microprocessors are unclear, but they will be sold under Intel Core i5 and Core i7 monikers.Arrandale/Clarkdale central processing units (CPUs) have integrated memory controller, graphics core as well as PCI Express interconnection inside,so there will be no need for GMCH (or North Bridge) on the mainboard. The new processors can directly connect to Intel 5-series core-logic (code-named Ibexpeak platform) controller hub (PCH) that will carry hard drive controller, wired and wireless network controllers, monitor physical interfaces, PCI controller and other input/output as well as platform-related capabilities.