The Intel Nehalem architecture based Intel Core i7 940 processor will be released out later this year. Ironically, Intel Core i7 940 was one of the first processors based on Nehalem architecture launched in November 2008. Consumers can confirm their Core i7 940 orders till Sept. 4 this year and after that it would be officially unavailable.

The quad-core 2.93GHz Intel Core i7 940 would be the first Nehalem processor to be phased out. Intel cites in a statement, "market demand for the same has moved to other products. Following the Core i7 940, Intel will next discontinue production of high-end quad-core 3.2GHz Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition.

It's hardly been a year since Intel launched it's Core i7 CPU but after Intel demonstrated 32nm Westmere chips, this shift from Nehalem architecture to 32nm Westmere was obvious.

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As per the Tick in Intel's Tick Tock Model, the 32nm process technology based processors will hit the production floors this year and will be publicly available.

However, it's surprising that Intel still continues to sell cheaper quad-core 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 920 CPU, may be due to the price factor. Also, Intel is expected to roll out a high-end 3.33GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 975 Extreme Edition hopefully by the end of this month.

Intel is on tarck according to it's roadmap, the 32nm Westmere chips was planned for this year.