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With the objective to increase sales and gradually streamline its inventories, Intel has started a new program that encourages its customers to bundle in a family of processor Core i7 with a unit SSD (Solid State Drive).

The promotion allows a reduction in the price of two components, if purchased together, varying between 10 and 15%, the offer is sent by Intel to markets in China, European and North American.

Currently Intel offers 3 versions on the market for Core i7 processor: the model 920 (clock 2.66 GHz) at $ 284 price, the 940 (clock 2.93 GHz) at $ 562 and 965 Extreme Edition (3 clock, 2 GHz) to 999 dollars. For the Intel SSD drive has available the following range of products: X25-E 32 Gbytes for $ 410, X18-M 80 Gbytes for $ 385, X25-M 80 Gbytes for $ 385, X18-M 160 Gbytes at $ 760 and X25-M from 160 Gbytes to 760 dollars. By the end of the month Intel should present the model X25-E 64 Gbytes of capacity to $ 790 cost.

A trade policy of this kind is far from out of the standard, a SSD device can actually be seen as a component in an enlarged definition of platform, which typically comprises processor, chipset and GPU. In a period so difficult for sales in the sector, particularly for high-end products, a strategy of this kind may encourage productive partners to market their systems that integrate these two very expensive but effective technologies from Intel.

The latest Intel processor roadmap provides interesting information on those who will be future versions of the Nehalem processor family that Intel put on the market between 2009 and 2010. We know that Intel is preparing the debut of the first cpu Core i7, intended to be the richest segment of the market, but many months will pass before the Nehalem solutions can be made available in the cheaper segment of the market.

The CPU indicated by the code name of Havendale is particularly interesting; since Intel will be the first to incorporate within itself a GPU directly derived from the currently deployed solutions IGP chipset for Intel.

This processor will be available during 2010, against a clearly defined period of 2009 which had been placed in previous roadmap published by Intel and distributed to its partners. Among the features of this processor are the cache 4 MB, dual channel memory controller, and compatibility with motherboards Socket LGA 1160.

During the third quarter of 2009 Intel will also discuss the next generation of chipset platforms for mid-known with the code name of Ibex Peak. For these solutions is the trading name to P55, then follow in this tradition of the American producer.

This new family of chipsets is designed for use with Socket 1160 processors, the Nehalem cpu family of mid-based architecture and then known by the codename of Lynnfield (quad core) or Havendale (dual core). The architecture of this chipset will look like single chip, thereby further simplifying the layout of the motherboard and therefore their cost of production.

Starting from next week should be possible to begin to find on the market Intel Core 2 Quad at 45 nanometers and precisely models Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550. Intel is in fact starting the production volume of these processors, which will be based on core Yorkfield versions stepping C1.

Intel has had to resolve a problem with earlier versions of Yorkfield that have delayed the launch of the products on the market. The whole production volumes will be based only on the new core stepping in to prevent the marketing of potentially unstable processors.

Models Core 2 Quad Q9550 and Q9450 will be characterized respectively by operating frequencies of 2.83 GHz and 2.66 GHz, and both will have a well-12MB of cache second level. The model Core 2 Quad Q9300 will have an operating frequency of 2.5 GHz and 6MB of L2 cache. All three processors support the frequency of 1333MHz FSB and feature a TDP of 95W. The official list price is $ 530, $ 316 and $ 266 respectively for Q9550, Q9450 and Q9300.

Intel is now working to solve the problems of availability of the CPU at 45 nanometers. Currently, the giant Santa Clara produces one hundred thousand processors to 45nm per day, but this number is expected to grow from the end of the first quarter production will be a 45-nanometer processors, while in the second half of the third quarter Intel will produce solutions to 45nm and 65nm in equal measure.