Intel is alleged to launch their first desktop dual-core Celeron series, E1000, on the 20th of January next year. Rumors of Intel's unveiling the line have erupted from sources within the motherboard makers. The first dual-core Celeron processor will be working at 1600 MHz and will feature an 800 MHz processor system bus with 512KB of unified secondary-level cache. The processor will be targeting at the cost-effective desktops sector, featuring a price of $53 in thousand-unit quantities.

The E1000 dual-core processors are set to be wrapped around the 65nm architecture that would allow them to fit the 65-watt thermal design power. Moreover the CPUs will be compatible to all the former Conroe processor platforms - so great news for users who seek processor-only updates, since they will be able to further use their old motherboard. The Intel Celeron dual-core processor is alleged to deliver "entry multi-tasking experience for value-conscious customers", as the company likes to refer to its capacities.

January 20 will also bring the long-awaited quad-core triad based on the Yorkfield architecture: the Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550 CPUs. The series of events does not stop here, and the same sources within the motherboard manufacturers' labs say that Intel will also release four dual-core CPUs, the E8190, E8200, E8400 and E8500, built around the Wolfdale core. They will also target desktop systems.

Intel will stick to the roadmap and will release in early January the QX9770 quad-core to work at 3.2 GHz. The QX9770 is confirmed to feature a 1600MHz Front Side Bus with a 12MB cache pool, all enclosed in a thermal envelope of 136 watts. Original equipment manufacturers will be able to snatch the processor the same month at a price tag of $1,399 in thousand-unit quantities.