Intel has unveiled new quad-core processors at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, including the Core 2 Quad, which is aimed at mainstream desktops, and two new Xeon processors for single-socket servers.

The Core 2 Quad is aimed at high-end PCs and workstations running demanding multimedia applications, according to the chipmaker. It is a more mainstream version of the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, launched last year, which chiefly targets gamers.

Like that processor, Core 2 Quad is built from two dual-core chips joined together in a single package. Each chip has 4MB of L2 cache, making a total of 8MB inside each Core 2 Quad package. The chip is available immediately as the model Q6600, clocked at 2.4GHz. The Q6400 model, clocked at 2.13GHz, is slated for a later release.

While Core 2 Quad is aimed at more demanding applications, Intel said it expects that the dual-core processors introduced last year will make up the vast majority of desktop systems sold throughout 2007.

Intel also introduced the e Intel® Xeon Processor 3200 series, quad-core chips aimed at the entry-level server market. These processors are designed to bring new levels of energy-efficient performance to servers in roles such as Web, file and print services, Intel said.
The Core 2 Quad processor Q6600 costs $851 (£439) in volume, the same as the 2.4GHz Xeon X3220, while the 2.13GHz Xeon X3210 costs $690 (£356).