Intel Conroe: new information released

After the relative mixed success of the P4, Intel needs to get back on the stage with a new desktop processor that will compete with current AMD CPUs.
The first element of Intel's "strike-back" was the well-known Yonah, aka Core Duo, reserved for notebooks, even-though Apple used it in the first x86-based iMac.
The next CPU to be released will be dedicated to desktop, its name Conroe. Its architecture is similar to the one found in the Yonah, with the same goal: finding the best ratio performance/Watts; but it will feature a faster bus, 64 bits support, as well as virtualization...
According to TG, the first 6 models of Conroe should be:
• E6700: 2.66 GHz / FSB 1066/ 4 MB shared L2 cache
• E6600: 2.40 GHz / FSB 1066/ 4 MB shared L2 cache
• E6400: 2.13 GHz / FSB 1066/ 2 MB shared L2 cache
• E6300: 1.86 GHz / FSB 1066/ 2 MB shared L2 cache
• E4200: 1.60 GHz / FSB 800/ 2 MB shared L2 cache
• and a Conroe Extreme Edition (XE): unknown specifications.
As you can see, the clockspeed is significantly lower than the last P4, however performance should be much higher.
However, it is not sure if this processor will find its way into the successor of the PMG5. Indeed, if the Conroe is a dual core CPU, it is apparently not possible to have a computer with a dual Conroe dual core. in order to obtain something similar to the current PMG5 Quad.
To get a x86 4 cores-based Mac, Apple will have to use the Xeon CrestWood that should be available in the time frame than the Conroe.
however, the Conroe could be present in the Powermac entry-level models, and/or the iMAcIntel revB.
Then in 2006, Intel will introduce 4-cores CPU and we could get a 8CPU-based Powermac.
As shown in our recent hardware-related news, Intel is in the middle of a transition period, together with Apple. In the coming month there will be many transitions computer models released in order to cover all current PPC-based models. Of course, some models will have a short half-life since they will evolve with "Intel's CPU refresh rate"; something really exciting for us, but maybe annoying for users who will buy such models.