$ 999 will be the first quad-core Intel CPU

According to HKEPC Hardware information, the 2,66 GHz quad-core Intel processor will be available for a starting price of $ 999.

In an earlier piece of news, though, we reported on Intel’s plan to begin marketing quad-core processors before the end of 2006. Accordingly, the 2,66 GHz version of Kentsfield could hit store shelves as early as last quarter, which will be available for the same price as the current price of the Core 2 Extreme X6800.

The next-generation processor for desktops will consist of two Conroe E6700 chips, a second-level cache of 4 MB and an FSB of 1066 MHz. Considering the $ 2,66 price of the 2 GHz Core 530 Duo processor, Kentsfield’s $ 999 doesn’t seem an unacceptably high amount either, but it should be added that its performance won’t double.