Intel is once again clearing the runway for their next premiere CPU as the race for desktop domination takes them back into the number one position upping the ante and putting AMD just one step behind them as the P4 3.2GHz is one blazing fast chip. The latest technology finds the Intel P4 CPU running at 3.2GHz with a 16X clock speed and an 800MHz Quad-Piped FSB that is now actually referred to as the PSB meaning Processor System Bus interface but hey FSB will do. There is really no new technology to expand upon as the CPU relies on the same core implementation as the other 800MHz P4 CPU's. Later this year Intel will reinvent the wheel again as they release their Prescott line of CPU's starting off running at 3.4GHz and featuring 15 new instruction sets and a 1MB CACHE, until then I do not foresee any significant changes being made for the desktop environment as far as the P4 CPU platform goes until later this year, but things can change as the market dictates or cash flow slows down.
Back and forth we have seen the camps of both Intel then AMD take a slight lead in this battle and then the title goes back again to the other as this endless competition continues as they vie for our hard earned cash. One thing you can say with complete honesty is that Intel is a more stable and compatible platform than AMD and even though AMD has taken giant leaps to meet this challenge they still fall slightly behind the R&D and engineering machine that is the Intel giant. The new 3.2GHz is a very stable CPU that offers fast performance and overclocking abilities that are above the normal par of the Intel P4 line something that will appeal to the enthusiast minded and those who compete for the top slot on www.futuremark.com. Prices will remain in effect until the 3rd quarter, so do not look for any major price drops until later in the year when the Prescott is released or unless the market takes another nose dive. Okay enough on that lets move on to the heart of the review, take a look at the architecture of the chip and see how well the CPU does under pressure in the lab.
