Intel is expediting its dual-core chip time frame. They’ll introduce a dual-core Xeon MP processor, Paxville, for servers with four or more processors, and they’ll also ship a two-processor Xeon version, Paxville DB, both later this year. Both were originally slated for 2006 launches. Dell and Hewlett-Packard each said they plan to include the chips in servers by the end of this year as well. However, Intel is still playing catch-up to smaller rival AMD. AMD said 90 percent of its chips will be dual-core by the end of 2006.

For more on Intel’s plans:
– see this InformationWeek article
– see this eWeek article