Intel Shows Faster Pentium 4 Processor

Intel Corp. demonstrated a Pentium 4 chip that works almost twice as fast as the computer-chip maker’s best chip, which was introduced Monday.

Intel Executive Vice President Paul Otellini showed off a Pentium 4 personal-computer processor running at 3.5 gigahertz. The company just started selling a 2 GHz Pentium 4 and has said the chip will reach 10 GHz in a few years.

Ortelli also reiterated that Intel expects sales during the next few months to be stronger than in the first half of this year. “Anything has to be better than the first half,” he said.

Much of Otellini’s talk at a conference in San Jose focused on Intel’s efforts to improve the performance of semiconductors in ways other than cranking up the speed. The chip maker highlighted features in development that bolster certain programs or markets. That tailored approach better matches the increasing segmentation in chip sales, Intel said.

Intel shares fell 64 cents to $28.51 on Nasdaq.