Intel roadmap data recently released to customers and now duly popping up on the web reveals the chip giant's quad-core offering 'Kentsfield' will be clocked to 2.66GHz at launch. It will also ship as the Core 2 Extreme.

Kentsfield comprises two dual-core Core 2 Duo CPUs bonded together in a single chip package, just as it did with its first dual-core desktop processor, 'Smithfield', which combined as pair of 'Prescott' dies.

The quad-core part will ship in Q4. It will run across a 1066MHz frontside bus. If Intel runs true to form, it will be priced at $999. But with AMD's rival 4x4 platform, which is due to ship later this year for what AMD staff has said will be "substantially" under $1,000, Intel may choose to price it lower.

The existing Core 2 Extreme X6800 will continue to be made available through Q1 2007, but it may be replaced in Q2 2007. ®

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