Intel's 10 new types of Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme computer chips were shown boosting the performances of laptop, desktop and corporate computers in tasks ranging from video games to business applications.

Millions of the dual-core chips were being pumped out at Intel's facilities worldwide and were in the shipping channel, said company chief executive officer Paul Otellini.

Delivery of chips for business servers began in June and those for personal computers would be in customers' hands by mid August, Otellini said during the unveiling event at Intel's headquarters in Santa Clara, California.

"This is a revolutionary leap; the kind that doesn't come often," Otellini told the approximately 500 people packed under a tented pavilion at the Intel campus. "This is the best processor we ever designed and ever built."

Intel claimed to have completely revamped its processor line with the series of launches that have taken place in the past month.

Intel took advantage of improvements in silicon-handling technology to make "stunning" improvements in computer chip performance while cutting the amount of energy they use, according to Otellini.

Film animators, car designers and other businesses that have tested "seed chips" have reported being able to get computers to handle heavy data demands more effectively and even do tasks that weren't previously possible.

Professional video game player "Jinx" from an all-women team called Frag Dolls, sponsored by French game maker Ubisoft, did virtual battle on stage with a film-quality on-screen cyclops on a Core 2 powered machine.

"Whether you are taking down a cyclops, an ogre or whatever, it's awesome," Frag Doll Rhoulette, whose real name is Morgan Romine, told AFP. "You feel as if you are inside the game."

Romine and others credited the ability of the chips with creating platforms for more realistic, responsive games.

"It's really big for competitive gaming," Romine said. "The faster you see something and react, the better."

The Core 2 chip should lead to similar performance improvements for users of laptop and desktop computers, Otellini said.

The processors also complement the trend toward online sharing of videos, which involve sending large amounts of data via the Internet, according to Intel.

"We are really excited," said Adobe Systems product manager Bob Regan. "We are able to do things that were really unwise or not possible at all. That is huge."

The roll-out of chips that Intel billed as the best in the world came as the company strived to trim fat from its operations and stave off an attack on its market share by rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Intel recently layed off 1,000 managers at facilities worldwide and reshuffled executives.

The efficiency study that triggered the moves would be concluded in August and was likely to result in further lay-offs, Otellini said in response to a reporter's question.

"We are continuing the process of evaluating the structure and size of the company," Otellini said. "I suspect you will see subsequent actions as we conclude that."

Otellini declined to discuss the potential ramifications of AMD's recent deal to buy Ontario-based graphics computer chip company ATI Technologies Inc.

"I think we are still evaluating what the situation means to us and to the industry," Otellini said.

Intel executives said ATI parts were included in the Thursday chip launch, despite rumors to the contrary.

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