Just when we were all getting used to 45nm processors, Intel reveals that their next-generation 32nm processors are not far away. In fact, we might very well see the first 32nm processors for desktop and mobile systems as early as the fourth quarter of this year!

According to PC Magazine, the latest Intel roadmap reveals two new 32nm dual-core processors – Clarkdale for the desktop and Arrandale for the mobile platforms. These will be the first CPUs in the new “Westmere” family of processors – thereby replacing the 45nm “Nehalem” family which debuted as part of the Core i7 processor introduction. 45nm process technology was first introduced in “Penryn” family of processors which includes the current Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors.

Both Clarkdale and Arrandale are dual core processors – each with hyper-threading enabled. This means you’ll have two physical cores on the processor die and a total of four logical cores. These will also be the first processors with integrated graphics and memory controller on the chip. The graphics component on the processor die will be switchable allowing you to use discrete graphics instead within your system.

You can read more about the 32 nm process transition over at PC Magazine. Exciting times for the processor world – lower costs and smaller, faster, cooler processors. Great stuff.

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