SANTA CLARA, Calif.--As expected, Intel Corp. today announced availability of its fastest Pentium 4 microprocessor, which runs at 1.8-GHz. The company also formally introduced a 1.6-GHz Pentium 4 to fill out the desktop computer processor series.

In quantities of 1,000 units, the 1.8-GHz Pentium 4 sells for $562 each, while the 1.6-GHz processor is priced at $294. Both desktop computer processors are fabricated in 0.18-micron technology.

During a keynote speech at the TechX NY trade show last week, Intel executive vice president Mike Splinter said the company would roll out the two new speed grades of the Pentium 4 during July (see June 28 story). Until now Intel's fastest Pentium 4 was a 1.7-GHz central processor.

Intel today said it plans to increase the speed of Pentium 4 processors to 2 GHz later in the third quarter.

"These two new speeds enable a broader range of performance and price points for our customers," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel Desktop Platforms Group.