Research Brief
Intel Announces New Pentium OverDrive Processors
Intel announced the availability of OverDrive Processors to upgrade Pentium systems with clock speeds from 60 to 100 MHz. Intel is using .35 micron fabrication technology for the OverDrive processors, which allows the vendor to include higher levels of functionality than the original Pentium being replaced. The OverDrive upgrades are designed to be easy to install by users. Included in the chipsets are increased capacitors to provide voltage filtering, fully integrated cooling fans, and pre-configured core-to-bus speed ratios. Intel claims OverDrive users will see at least fifty percent faster performance for 16-bit applications.
Intel OverDrive Upgrades and Pricing
|
Original Upgradable Pentium Processor |
Pentium OverDrive Processor Upgrade |
Availability Suggested List Price (U.S.) |
|
60 or 66-MHz Pentium |
120/133-MHz OverDrive Processor |
Now @ $399 |
|
75-MHz Pentium |
125 MHz OverDrive Processor |
Now @ $399 |
|
90-MHz Pentium |
150 MHz OverDrive Processor |
May, 1996 @ $499 |
Source: Intel Corporation
Intel OverDrive Upgrades and Pricing
|
Original Upgradable 486 Processor |
Pentium OverDrive Processor Upgrade |
Availability Suggested List Price (U.S.) |
|
486 33-MHz SX or DX and 486 66-MHz DX2 |
83-MHz Pentium OverDrive |
Now @ $299 |
|
486 25-MHz SX or 486 50-MHz SX2 or DX2 |
63-MHz Pentium OverDrive |
Now @ $219 |
Source: Intel Corporation
Analysis
Intel is providing users with easy upgrades to the faster Pentium chips that include more features than the original Pentium being replaced. Intel’s goal is to move users to 100 MHz or faster Pentiums as the standard desktop processor. Offering the OverDrive upgrades not only keeps users on the leading edge of processing technology, but this strategy helps keep the other chip makers out of the upgrade process. Rather than evaluating other chipsets to maintain performance, Intel can keep users in its fold by offering competitive upgrades. Further, Intel is taking advantage of its .35 micron fabrication technology to monopolize the processor market. This will make it much harder for alternative chip makers to compete for Intel’s customers.