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The chipmaker expects to deliver that number of dual-core processors to the consumer market by year's end.

The existing Pentium D dual-core processor will be a consumer PC option for now. Development on a business version of the dual-core platform continues, but that market won't have a dual-core version until next year.

Consumers will get a whole lot of Intel inside their dual-core machines. The Pentium D processor will be coupled with the company's 945 Express chipset. That will support surround sound audio, advanced graphics, and high-definition video.

Competition drives the technology market, and the processor industry is no stranger to challenges and responses by rival companies. Advanced Micro Devices should get involved in the dual-core market after the holiday weekend.

AMD and its AthlonX2 processor line will be the company's first entry into dual-core processing. As dual-core works best for video applications, AMD won't introduce a version of the technology for its AthlonFX line, a chipset gamers prefer for its gaming performance.

But Intel gets a lot of fanfare today. At a San Francisco press event, Intel will be joined by PC makers Dell, HP, Gateway, and Lenovo. All four PC makers have plans to launch computers with the dual-core technology very soon this summer, possibly by month's end.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.