Intel Flexes Its Quad Core

After looking like it was asleep at the wheel for some time, Intel(INTC Quote) has swung into adrenaline mode, displaying the fighting spirit investors have been clamoring for.

The Santa Clara, Calif., chip giant on Tuesday is introducing new processors that pack four separate cores. The product launch comes only a few months after Intel overhauled its entire line of microprocessors with chips based on its new Core microarchitecture.

It's an aggressive pace as measured by Intel's own track record. It also puts the company several months ahead of rival Advanced Micro Devices(INTC Quote), which is not expected to release a quad-core chip until mid-2007. ...