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Dothan-based P4 appears on Intel roadmap

Model number too low for 3.73GHz clock, 1066MHz FSB?

Intel will introduce processors operating across a 1066MHz frontside bus next quarter.

Only two chips will gain the new FSB clock speed: a 3.46GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition in Q3 and a 3.73GHz Pentium 4 in Q4, according to roadmaps revealed at an Intel Channel Conference and dutifully reported by Anandtech.

The odd thing is that the regular 3.73MHz part not only contains 2MB of L2 cache but has been described as carrying the model number 720. Both factors suggest that the part is based on 'Dothan', the latest generation of the Pentium M processor, which Intel launched this week. With 'Tejas' dead, it looks like Intel may by rushing in Pentium M-based desktop chips as soon as it can and ahead of the anticipated dual-core version.

Dothan itself is expected to gain a 533MHz FSB in the Autumn when Intel launches the second generation on its Centrino platform, codenamed 'Sonoma', and the 'Alviso' chipset that sits at its heart. Dothan is expected to reach 2.13GHz by the end of the year as the Pentium M 770, running that 533MHz bus, which will also be supported by a second 2GHz Dothan.

Of course, the mysterious 3.73GHz Dothan-based desktop chip could be cock-up rather than conspiracy. With a clock speed 1.75 times that of the 2.13GHz Pentium M 770 and double the FSB speed, you'd expect the 3.73GHz chip to sport a higher model number than 720. And if it is a desktop P4, how come it's not got a 5xx model number?

We await clarification with interest. ®

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