Intel is said to be preparing a pair of dual-core Core 2 Extreme processors specifically developed for gamer-friendly notebooks, the first coming in Q2/Q3, the second arriving as a follow-up in Q4.

So claim Taiwanese motherboard-maker moles cited by Chinese-language site HKEPC. Codenamed 'Merom XE', the two 65nm parts will contain the usual 4MB of shared L2 cache and operate over an 800MHz frontside bus. The first of the two, the Core 2 Extreme X7800 will be clocked at 2.6GHz, it's claimed; the second, the X7900, will run at 2.8GHz.

Both processors are said to support SpeedStep, Virtualisation Technology and 64-bit addressing. At this stage, it's not known how much power the chips consume.

The sources alleged the X7800 will be priced at $795 when it ships late Q2/early Q3. The X7900's price is unknown.

Related stories

• Intel shows off X7900 CPU (22 August 2007)
• IDF Intel confirms gaming Core 2 chip for notebooks (16 April 2007)
• Intel to update gaming CPU sooner than thought? (12 March 2007)
• AMD vs Intel Intel's anti-trust memos started vanishing from the top (11 March 2007)
• Intel roadmaps 6MB L2 Core 2 Duos? (8 February 2007)
• Acer out to push laptop prices up (7 February 2007)
• Intel to cut one-way system Xeon prices in April? (6 February 2007)
• World chip sales break record but miss industry forecast (5 February 2007)
• Intel quietly ships low-voltage Core 2 Duos (1 February 2007)
• Intel, AMD jostled for market share in 2006 (31 January 2007)
• Intel to take axe to Core 2 Quad pricing on 22 April? (30 January 2007)
• AMD Fusion to target laptops at first (30 January 2007)
• Intel exposes 45nm Core 2 Duo (27 January 2007)
• Intel 45nm CPUs to use metal gates, high-k dielectric (27 January 2007)
• Intel launches 802.11n Wi-Fi module (24 January 2007)
• Intel to return to discrete GPU arena (23 January 2007)
• Intel set to back VIA's Mini-ITX for SFF PCs? (23 January 2007)
• Intel ships low-end Core 2 Duo (22 January 2007)