Intel’s quad-core Q9400 gets a second life as an embedded processor

Hardware manufacturers who need a fast processor for embedded applications can now turn to Intel’s quad-core Q9400 CPU. Atom processors will also be available for this market next year.

The 45nm quad-core processor, which Intel released in August of this year, will remain available for the embedded market. Company announced through Doug Davis, manager of the Embedded and Communications Group at Intel, that the Core 2 Quad Q9400 can count on support from its maker for seven years. The chip, which does its job at 2.66GHz, can be used in embedded equipment with this long-term support. Intel mainly sees a market for applications that require a lot of computing power. The Q9400 has been validated for use in embedded devices in combination with a Q45, Q35 or an Intel 3210 chipset.

Intel also announced that the cheaper Atom processor, or the Z5xx series, will also be available for embedded use. These processors will also be able to count on support for seven years from the first quarter of 2009. In addition, Intel indicated that the Atoms will also be available in different, larger housings, which are more resistant to higher temperatures, among other things. The long support cycle is important for manufacturers of embedded systems, as the products in which the processors are used often have a long life cycle.