As ARM is continuing its push on the computer market, Intel has begun to step up its own game, apparently going as far as increasing the core number on its low-end processors, reports softpedia.

Even though 2012 has only just begun, there are already rumors about what may or may not happen in 2013. Intel is the subject of the latest report, along with a certain series of CPUs (central processing units). It is said that the Atom line will start to include quad-core members next year. This would fit with the announcement made by the Santa Clara, California-based company in May, 2011.

Intel said, back then, that it would release three major updates for the Atom family of products over the following 36 months. Saltwell will be the first new batch of CPUs, based on the 32nm manufacturing process technology and due out in 2012. It will be followed by a generation codenamed Silvermont, powered itself by the 22nm/tri-gate fabrication process.

Finally, the third chip generation will bear the name of Airmont and will utilize the 14nm process. The slide uncovered by ComputerBase places the release of quad-core Atoms in 2013, suggesting they will either be late Saltwell units or early Silvermont processors.

Micro-servers, nettops and ultra-portable mobile personal computers (notebooks) are all eligible applications for them. The CPUs will have a new memory controller and likely better graphics as well, not just more processing engines. ECC memory (Error-correcting code memory) will also be supported, hence the suitability for servers. Alas, Intel did not say anything about the leak, as was expected. It is natural for companies to hold their silence in regards to unannounced products.