In 2006, we saw a steady rise in the shipments of dual core processors for desktop and notebook platforms from both AMD and Intel. This year, that number is expected to grow even further along with a steady creep of quad-core processors into mainstream desktops.

According to the latest figures from iSuppli Corporation, over half of all mainstream desktop computers will feature quad-core processors by the end of 2009. The study cites Intel's Core 2 Quad processors along with AMD's quad-core processors due to be released later this year.

"Quad-core microprocessor technology is coming to the mainstream, and with it is coming capabilities that presently are reserved only for high-end systems," said Matthew Wilkins, a principal analyst for iSuppli. "To put this into context, a quad-core-based PC is very similar to a quad-microprocessor system from the pre-multicore era, such as a workstation or server, which would have been very high-end system, priced well in excess of $10,000."

Quad-core processors accounted for 16 percent of the performance desktop market in the Q1 2007 and are expected to account for 33 percent by year's end. Quad-core processors in the performance desktop market will reach 94 percent penetration by Q4 2009.

The mainstream desktop market is expected to see a slower adoption rate of quad-core processors with a marginal 5 percent share in Q3 2007 which will then rise to 7% for Q4 2007. Penetration in the mainstream desktop market will then rise to 18 percent by the Q4 2008 and reach 49 percent in Q4 2009.

Mainstream desktop PCs range in price from $500 to $1,000 according to iSuppli while performance desktops are priced at $1,000 and up.

Even though the outlook is quite rosy for the quad-core desktop market, iSuppli doesn't foresee similar adoption rates in the notebook sector. By Q4 2009, quad-core processors will be in only 11 percent of mainstream notebook systems ($750 to $2,000).