Chicago (IL) - Chipmaker Intel has released its model numbers to Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers, according to an article at DigiTimes. The new numbers initially reflect the performance of processors only within an individual chip family.

Intel will introduce its new model numbering system in May with the launch of the next-generation Pentium M processor, code-named Dothan. According to DigiTimes , the company recently has started teaching motherboard makers to understand the new system.

The sequence numbers for the 90nm mobile chip will start from the Pentium M 715, clocked at 1.5 GHz and range to the Pentium M 770, clocked at 2.13 GHz. The model line will include ten different processors (715, 725, 730, 735, 740, 745, 750, 755, 760, and 770). A greater number initially will mean higher performance, either in frequency or/and FSB clock.

The company will continue the introduction of its new model number with its 90nm socket T Pentium 4 and Celeron processors, which are expected to become available in June. The entry level Prescott will carry the number 520 and will be clocked at 2.80 GHz. The new high end chips will be the 560, 570, and 580 with 3.6 GHz, 3.8 GHz, and 4.0 GHz respectively. Prices will range from $178 for the 520 to $637 for the 560. Pricing for the 570 and 580 are not yet available.

Following the same strategy, the new Celerons will be available from the Celeron 325 (2.53 GHz) to the Celeron 350 (3.2 GHz).

While the basic idea of Intel's model number is the same as AMD's, Intel wants to completely dismiss the performance indication in its numbering system. According to Insight 64 analyst Nathan Brookwood, the numbering system might have been influenced by the Centrino platform which posts much lower frequency rates than Intel's other processor families.

With the introduction of the Centrino chip to a broader consumer audience, the company might have been in trouble explaining the Gigahertz gap, if the company continued to market its Gigahertz-focused model, Brookwood said.

Intel spokesperson George Alfs agreed that consumers will have to learn a new way to buy their computers. Moving away from a Gigahertz-centric purchase decision, customers should base their next computer on platform needs, platform family and features, Alfs said.