Intel mobile processors get speed boost

Stepping up to the benchmark.

Intel will bump a Celeron M processor and several other small-package Core 2 Duo CPUs to new steppings in a move aimed at improving speeds.

Moving from a C-0 stepping to E-0, Intel will transition its Core 2 Duo SL9300 (1.60 GHz), SL9400 (1.86 GHz), SP9300 (2.26 GHz) and SP9400 (2.40 GHz). Meanwhile, the Celeron M ULV 723 (1.2 GHz), Core 2 Solo SU3300 (1.20 GHz, single-core), Core 2 Duo SU9300 (1.20 GHz), and SU9400 (1.40 GHz) will switch from M-0 to R-0.

Intel reckons both stepping switches – which effectively amount to the same change – will allow for higher frequency models and mean a boost in clock speed for the Montevina notebook platform.

The change apparently doesn’t entail any electrical, mechanical or thermal changes and Chipzilla also noted there wouldn’t be any form, fit or function changes between the stepping conversions either. The only thing which would purportedly need changing would be the BIOS, which could be updated by system builders.

Samples of the switched up processors will be out come December 8th and Volume shipments should start at some point around March 2nd 2009.