1GHz Pentium III PCs may launch this month

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) may be planning to one-up rival chip maker Intel with an earlier-than-expected release of its 1GHz Athlon processor, but don't count Intel out just yet.

Reports have surfaced that the chip manufacturer is also planning a surprise launch of 1GHz Pentium III-based chips this month, so it is still uncertain which company will reach the symbolic 1,000MHz mark first.

Still in question, however, is whether you'll be able to pick up one of these super-fast machines in the high street. The speed competition in the months since Athlon's launch has meant faster rollout of new chips, but has also led to supply problems, with some high-end Pentium IIIs said to be hard to find.

Intel, in particular, has made it clear that its 1GHz processors will not be available in full production quantities until the second half of the year, while AMD has gone on record saying that it won't launch its 1GHz chip until it's ready in large volumes.

More details to follow.

For full coverage, see 1GHz: The whole story.

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