First Dual-Core Intel PCs Hit the Market

Intel announced that the first PCs using its Pentium Extreme Edition dual-core processor hit the market Monday. Three companies are selling PCs equipped with the chip, including Alienware, Dell and Velocity Micro. Intel says that the target market for these new machines is computer hobbyists and gamers who require the extra processing power.

The processor comes in at a price of $999 for a 3.2GHz version with the chipset at an additional $50. Also announced was a motherboard with the chipset already built in.

"This platform empowers computer users to take advantage of high-definition video, high-quality sound and 3-D visualization," Don MacDonald, vice president of Intel's Digital Home Group said in prepared remarks. "[It] will change how people use computing power inside and outside their homes."

Last week at the Intel Developer Forum in Taiwan, the company said it had begun to ship its dual-core Pentiums to partners. Initially, Intel is focusing on the consumer market with the new chips, while rival AMD is taking the enterprise road.

AMD is expected to unveil its dual-core Opteron server processor on April 21 to commemorate the two-year birthday of the chip.