Intel readies Pentium G6960 microprocessor

In the first quarter 2011, Intel is going to introduce Sandy Bridge micro-architecture by launching a mixture of desktop, mobile and server-class microprocessors. While the launch of desktop processors will include mid-class and high-performance Core i3, i5 and i7 families, budget Pentium and Celeron families will stay with Core and Nehalem microarchitectures for another quarter or two. One of the confirmed upcoming budget processors is a Core-based Pentium E5800 for socket 775. Another new model, we just learned about, is a Pentium G6960 for socket 1156.

Based on enhanced Nehalem micro-architecture, Intel Pentium G6960 will incorporate two cores clocked at 2.93 GHz. The processor will use three-level cache architecture, with the third level cache being 3 MB. The G6950 will have CM80616005373AA OEM part number, and SLBT6 S-Spec number. We suspect that other processor specifications will be similar to Intel Pentium G6950, including 73 Watt Thermal Design Power and support for DDR3-1066 memory. Price and launch date of the G6960 CPU is unknown. Based on supplementary information, that we received, the processor will be launched at the same time, or earlier than models built on Sandy Bridge microarchitecture.