Q: What's new about the Intel Pentium III processor? A:The Pentium III processor is Intel's most advanced and powerful processor for the desktop PC. Available at speeds up to 1.0 GHz (1000 MHz) for the Desktop, the Pentium III processor features 70 new instructions and increased processing power that can improve your experience on the Internet and offer superior performance for today's and tomorrow's Web sites and applications.   Q: Why should I buy now? A: The question is: Do you need a new PC now? Intel® processor technology is always improving, but that doesn't mean you should wait to buy your new PC. There is never a "wrong" time to buy, so our advice is to buy the most powerful PC that fits your budget. This strategy offers you the surest protection against obsolescence. Think of it as room to grow. If you want a high-performance PC for a great Internet experience today, and headroom for the applications and Web sites of the future, look for a PC featuring the Intel® Pentium® III processor. Our Buyer's Guide is good place to start your search.   Q: Where do I go for questions about Intel® WebOutfitterSM Service? A: See the Intel WebOutfitter Service FAQs on Intel's support site.   Q: Why should I buy a system with an Intel Inside® brand sticker? A: The Intel Inside® brand sticker is a recognizable logo that lets you immediately know you've purchased a system offering both technology leadership and a safe investment. Using this Intel® sticker gives you the freedom to explore the unexpected, while relying on the brand recognition and good name of Intel and its products. For more information, visit: http://www.intel.com/intel/inside/   Q: How do I make sure a PC that I buy today is not obsolete tomorrow? A: Buying a computer is an important investment. You need a PC that can satisfy all your computing needs today with enough processing power left over for the future. In short, you can minimize the chances of your PC becoming obsolete in the near future by buying a high-performance computer, such as one based on the Pentium® III processor.   Q: What is the Year 2000 issue? If I buy an Intel® processor-based system, am I guaranteed not to have Year 2000 problems? A: The transition to the year 2000 could potentially affect any computer system or software application that uses date data. The "year 2000 issue" (sometimes called the "year 2000 bug" or "millennium bug") refers to the fact that some computer systems store the year portion of dates in two-digit form, identifying 1997 as "97," for example. It was common practice years ago for programmers to use this approach because it conserved costly memory space. Intel is carefully looking at how our products function with the date change to the year 2000. From this analysis, we are developing a product list that will indicate which Intel® products are "Year 2000 Capable." To obtain year 2000 capability information about Intel products, please visit our Year 2000 Web site at: http://www.intel.com/support/year2000/   Q: How much does a new Pentium® III processor-based PC cost? A: Prices for Pentium III processor-based PC are determined by the PC manufacturers. We cannot comment on behalf of system manufacturers' plans.   Q: Where can I find benchmark information on the Pentium III processor? A: Pentium III processor benchmark and performance information can be found at: http://www.intel.com/procs/perf/pentiumiii/index.htm   Q: Does the introduction of this new Intel processor mean that the Pentium® II processor is being discontinued? A: While Intel's customers are focused on Pentium III processors and Intel® Celeron™ processors for their new desktop designs, we are projecting that there will continue to be demand for Pentium® II processor-based systems. Intel will continue to ship these processors and expects to fulfill the forecasted demand through 1999.   Q: Can I upgrade my current Pentium II processor to a Pentium III processor? A: The Pentium III processor is based on the same architecture as the Pentium II processor (242-contact slot connector and Dual Independent Bus architecture). We designed the Pentium III processor to be logically compatible with Pentium II processor-based systems at identical system bus frequencies. However, there may be other system considerations that need to be taken into account when upgrading a system from a Pentium II processor to a Pentium III processor. The system considerations are posted at: http://developer.intel.com/design/pentiumiii/designgd/check.pdf   Q: Can I upgrade my Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology PC to a Pentium III processor-based PC? A: Both the Pentium® processor and the Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology use a Socket 7 bus architecture to connect with the motherboard. The Pentium III processor is based on the new Dual Independent Bus (D.I.B.) architecture to connect to the motherboard. Therefore, the Pentium III processor cannot be used as an upgrade to either the Pentium processor or the Pentium processor with MMX technology. For more information, please visit: http://www.intel.com/pentiumII/specs/sec.htm For other questions about the Intel Pentium III processor, see the Buyer's Guide Common Questions page or visit Intel's support site.