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Intel Demonstrates Its First PCI Express-Based Silicon; Updates Product Roadmap and Introduces Developer Programs

Posted on: Thursday, 18 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2003--Intel Corporation today demonstrated its first chips based on PCI Express* technology and provided an update on its roadmap for integrating the new interconnect specification into its computing and communications products. Intel also introduced several new programs and tools to help accelerate adoption of PCI Express Technology, including the PCI Express IT Network cofounded with Dell.

During keynotes at the Intel Developer Forum, Intel demonstrated for the first time its next-generation server and workstation chipsets, codenamed "Lindenhurst" and "Tumwater," respectively, and their advanced PCI Express capabilities. The server chipset demonstration used a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) networking application to show how PCI Express technology enables direct connections to high-bandwidth adapters and other components without a costly I/O bridge chip that was previously required.

The workstation chipset demonstration focused on the capability of PCI Express to replace the AGP8X graphics interface. PCI Express technology doubled the performance possible with AGP8X from 2 GBps to 4 GBps, meeting the requirements of the growing number of high-bandwidth applications, such as high-quality digital photography, multimedia, advanced computer-aided design and digital video editing. PCI Express will also be available in next-generation desktop chipsets. All of these chipsets are scheduled to become available in 2004.

Planned PCI Express Products

Intel also provided new insight into its future Ethernet controllers, I/O processors, bridges and motherboards that will incorporate PCI Express. The first wave of products, which are scheduled to roll out in 2004, include:

-- Intel's future Ethernet controllers, which will use PCI

Express to achieve for the first time wirespeed, full-duplex

GbE and 10 GbE connectivity on desktop and server platforms.

The controllers will roll out with Intel's next-generation

desktop and Lindenhurst chipsets.

-- Intel's next I/O storage processor, code-named Dobson, that

integrates PCI Express and Intel(R) XScale(TM) technologies to

make high-performance RAID on motherboard with SCSI, SATA and

Fibre Channel an integral feature of systems based on the

Lindenhurst chipset.

-- Multiple PCI Express technology-enabled server and workstation

motherboards that feature both PCI and PCI Express slots for

efficient migration to the new interconnect technology.

-- The new Intel(R) 41210 Serial-to-Parallel PCI Bridge, a PCI

Express-to-PCI/PCI-X 1.0 bridge that enables legacy adapters

and add-in cards to work on PCI Express technology-based

platforms, and the complementary Intel(R) 41210 Development

Platform to accelerate transition of legacy PCI cards to the

new interconnect technology. The bridge costs $32 in

quantities of 10,000 and the development platform is priced at

$1,300. Both products are expected be available in limited

quantities the fourth quarter of this year.

-- Integrated client chipsets supporting the new PCI Express

technology-based ExpressCard* and Card ElectroMechanical

interfaces, which will supersede today's Cardbus* and PCI

technologies on future Intel client platforms.

New Programs and Tools for Developers

Also announced at IDF, Dell and Intel have established the PCI Express IT Network, which offers IT professionals direct access to industry experts and product evaluation opportunities. More information is available at www.expresslaneitnet.org.

Intel also unveiled its PCI Express Interoperability Lab, which focuses on achieving interoperability between third-party products and Intel architecture-based platforms, using a complete gamut of electrical, configuration and protocol tests on desktop, server and workstation platforms.

To simplify the design job, Intel introduced new development tools, including its first Intel(R) PCI Express Product Development Kits (PDK), consisting of PCI Express-enabled platforms based on Intel's Lindenhurst and Tumwater chipsets for development of server and workstation solutions. The two PDKs will be available in limited quantities in the fourth quarter of this year and cost $8,000.

About PCI Express

Intel and other companies throughout the computer and communications industries are adopting PCI Express technology as the successor to today's PCI and PCI-X architectures. The serial PCI Express architecture offers scalable bandwidth from 2.5 to 80 Gbps and advanced features to meet the I/O needs of next-generation systems that potentially will feature 10 GHz-plus CPU speeds, faster memory, higher-speed graphics, GbE and 10 GbE, and serial enterprise I/O applications.

More information about PCI Express technology is available at the Intel(R) Developer Network for PCI Express* Architecture website, http://www.express-lane.org.

About IDF

The Intel Developer Forum is the technology industry's premier event for hardware and software developers. Held worldwide throughout the year, IDF brings together key industry players to discuss cutting-edge technology and products for PCs, servers, communications equipment, and handheld clients. For more information on IDF and Intel technology, visit http://developer.intel.com.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel and XScale are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

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