Intel is reported to be gearing up to launch four Arrandale central processing units (CPU) in January of next year, truly pushing 32-nanometer technology into the mainstream.

We first got a glimpse of the Arrandale chips back in September, at Intel's IDF conference. Since then news on the new dual-core chips had been somewhat silent. Thankfully, word has now broke of the chipmaker's plans, courtesy of Chinese newspaper Digitimes, quoting various "notebook players" as its source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20091113PD209.html

The chip giant will launch the Core i5-520M, the Core i5-430M, the Core i3-350M, and the Core i3-330M, all of which are based on Intel's Calpella platform. The Core i5 and i3 processors are being engineered for mobile use, specifically targeting the notebook market.

Digitimes detailed that the entire range of the new chips will support 1066MHz DDR3 memory. It also noted that the Core i5-430M processor will have a single-core clock speed of 2.26GHz, with speeds of 2.53GHz being achievable thanks to Intel's Turbo Boost. The Core i3-350M model will also run at a single-core speed of 2.26GHz, but sadly cannot make use of the Turbo Boost technology. The Core i3-330M will run at a single-core clock speed of 2.13GHz, and also cannot be boosted.

The Core i5 models will pack in a graphics clock running at a minimum speed of 500MHz, which can be pushed to speeds of 766MHz. Core i3 CPU's will have the same minimum speed as the i5's, but can only be pushed to speeds of 667MHz.

The source claimed that Intel hopes that these new CPUs coupled with Microsoft's Windows 7 will increase demand for notebooks in the new year. They also detailed that Intel will release a further six CPU's within the first half of 2010.

(PCW)