Intel has confirmed earlier hints that its 65nm dual-core Pentium D 920 is nearing the end of its useful life. The chip giant last week told customers that it will stop taking orders for the part on 30 June this year.

Company documentation seen by Reg Hardware reveals that orders for boxed and tray-mounted 920s become non-cancelable on 24 April. The last boxed 920s will leave Intel's fabs by 29 September, the document reveals, with the last trays expected to ship before 28 August, 2007.

Last month, Intel told customers it would not be upgrading the 920 to the C-1 core - it's currently on version B-1 - suggesting the part wasn't long for this world. All other 9xx dualies - the 930, 940 and 950 - are getting the update, which cuts the chips' overall power consumption.

The 9xx series are expected to be the subject of an Intel price cut next month, presaging the arrival of the 960 on, it's believed, 30 April. ®