Intel to Release Core i7 990X Extreme Edition Six-Core Processor in Q4 2010

[btarunr]

Intel is working on a newer high-end processor SKU based on its 32 nm "Gulftown" six-core design, the Core i7 990X Extreme Edition. It is reportedly slated for Q4 2010. As with most other Extreme Edition SKUs, the 990X will feature a higher default BClk multipler, and a higher resulting clock speed. Like the Core i7 980X Extreme Edition, it will feature an unlocked BClk multipler to help with overclocking. Gulftown features six cores on a monolithic die, with a triple-channel DDR3 IMC, and 12 MB of L3 cache. The launch of 990X is said to have been pulled forward by a quarter, as it was earlier reported to launch in Q1 2011.

The other six-core processor that is said to release before the 990X is the Core i7 970, a standard (non-XE, limited BClk multiplier) SKU that will be positioned in the upper-Performance segment, above current Core i7 quad-core SKUs. The Core i7 970 is slated for Q3 2010.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Flanker]

interesting, but isn't that near or at the time sandy bridge CPU's are released?

 

[Lionheart]

OOOhh nice, I couldn't give a rats arse about the 990X cause I know it will cost me my house & car together but Im glad to hear about the core i7 970 released Q3 2010, Ima upgrade to that for sure

 

[claylomax]

Can someone explain what exactly Q1, Q2, etc refer to? I mean do they refer to the calendar year or tax/fiscal year? Thanks.

 

[jellyrole]

I think its calendar.

 

[Flanker]

Can someone explain what exactly Q1, Q2, etc refer to? I mean do they refer to the calendar year or tax/fiscal year? Thanks.

Calendar year i believe, Q1 = Jan, Feb, Mar, Q2 = Apr, May, Jun, etc

 

[Fourstaff]

Calendar year i believe, Q1 = Jan, Feb, Mar, Q2 = Apr, May, Jun, etc

Yup, that's it. Also, you have the H1 and H2, which is the same concept: H1=first half of the year (Jan-June), H2 is the rest.

 

[HalfAHertz]

Uh I don't want to troll or anything, but Intel isn't working on anything. They'll just re-release the same CPU as the 980x with a higher base multi....I highly doubt they have a new revision or anything ready.

 

[Hunt3r]

he will stay with this revision until next year.

 

[Fourstaff]

Uh I don't want to troll or anything, but Intel isn't working on anything. They'll just re-release the same CPU as the 980x with a higher base multi....I highly doubt they have a new revision or anything ready.

Well, AMD went from 955BE to 965BE, Intel is doing the same. Plus, hopefully the 970 will be cheap enough for "general public" for people who don't want to go to LGA2011 but still want affordable 6 core goodness.

 

[Yukikaze]

The 990X might well be my next CPU, but what is the most intriguing part is the pricing of the i7 970. If the CPU has a high enough multi, I might as well grab that one instead and save some $$$ in the process.

 

[btarunr]

Well, AMD went from 955BE to 965BE, Intel is doing the same. Plus, hopefully the 970 will be cheap enough for "general public" for people who don't want to go to LGA2011 but still want affordable 6 core goodness.

Yeah, more like $550 affordable.

 

[HardSide]

interesting, but isn't that near or at the time sandy bridge CPU's are released?

Yep, no idea why anybody would get this, will be the same price, unless I guess you want high-end chip for the mobo that you already have, so you will save money buy not getting a sandy compatible mobo.

 

[Yukikaze]

Yep, no idea why anybody would get this, will be the same price, unless I guess you want high-end chip for the mobo that you already have, so you will save money buy not getting a sandy compatible mobo.

Well, isn't LGA2011 arriving only in H2 of 2011 ? Until then, the highest core counts for Intel desktop systems will still sit on LGA1366, if I am not mistaken.

 

[FlanK3r]

Calendar year i believe, Q1 = Jan, Feb, Mar, Q2 = Apr, May, Jun, etc

lol, second Flanker , hello man

 

[buggalugs]

Well, isn't LGA2011 arriving only in H2 of 2011 ? Until then, the highest core counts for Intel desktop systems will still sit on LGA1366, if I am not mistaken.

Yep, Sandy bridge isnt the replacement for tylersburg. Theres still another 12-18 months before it gets replaced.

My guess is the 990X will be priced where the 980X is now and the 980X will become cheaper. Then the 970 will be even cheaper and more of a mainstream price.

If anyone should be pissed its socket 1156 owners. Socket 1366 came out in nov 2008, and wont be replaced until late 2011, socket 1156 came out in Sept 2009 and getting replaced in 2010. So socket 1366, 3 years. Socket 1156 1 year.

 

[CDdude55]

Yeah, more like $550 affordable.

Agreed.

I would like an i7 970, but i already know it's not gonna be in my price range. I'm gonna wait till more mainstream 6 core CPU's come out, so i can pick from the cheapset of the bunch.

 

[cauby]

They'll soon run out of numbers to name their CPUs.

 

[mlee49]

Thanks! I've been looking for news about the newest 6 core Intel processors, Non-Extreme editions. I'm hoping $400 is realistic for a January 2011 present to myself.

 

[zOaib]

Hmmm ... 990X will have to see how much faster it is or will jsut stick to my i7 975X for now.

 

[CDdude55]

Thanks! I've been looking for news about the newest 6 core Intel processors, Non-Extreme editions. I'm hoping $400 is realistic for a January 2011 present to myself.

Agreed, around $400 isn't to bad. I might pick it up, only thing is, will it need a BIOS update for people like me using an EVGA X58 board?(I'm still using the stock BIOS, as i know i am not buying an extreme edition 6 core CPU... plus i don't want to risk screwing up my mobo). I would like to pick up a mainstream 6 core cpu though.

 

[mdsx1950]

Nice!

Should be able exchange my 980X with a little extra cash for a 990X

 

[TheScavenger]

Curious to see what the actually price for the 970 is going to be. I'm sure it will still be $500+. Intel pretty much dominates that market so they name the price.

 

[_JP_]

Ooo...I'll love the Price tag on this one...
Good thing I'm not a EXXTREME OVERCLOCKER ETHUSIAST, otherwise I would be compelled to get this processor. (the # of "X"s and the caps lock indicates the level of extremeness)

Can someone explain what exactly Q1, Q2, etc refer to? I mean do they refer to the calendar year or tax/fiscal year? Thanks.

It refers to the division of the calendar in "groups" of months. In this case (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) it's diving the year, 12 months, into quarters (1/4). So you get 4 quarters of the year, with 3 months each.

In other words:

Q1 - Jan, Feb, Mar
Q2 - Apr, May, Jun
Q3 - Jul, Aug, Sep
Q4 - Oct, Nov, Dec

 

[zAAm]

OOOhh nice, I couldn't give a rats arse about the 990X cause I know it will cost me my house & car together but Im glad to hear about the core i7 970 released Q3 2010, Ima upgrade to that for sure

You took the words out of my mouth... so I guess I'll go with "ditto"