ASRock Shows off Gulftown-based Demo at CeBIT

[btarunr]

A few weeks ahead of Intel's launch of its Core i7 980X "Gulftown" six-core processors, ASRock used the chip in a live-demo for one of its new motherboards. ASRock was probably trying to show off high performance numbers for its X58 Extreme3 motherboard using [perhaps] the most powerful LGA-1366 processor ever made, with a benchmark application best suited for it: Cinebench R10. Being a multi-threaded benchmark, the Core i7 980X scored 25,711 points. A quad-core Core i7 processor typically scores around the 20,000 mark. The exhibitors also confirmed that the 980X will be an Extreme Edition part with a clock speed of 3.33 GHz. As for the exhibit itself, ASRock pleaded innocent saying it had necessary permissions to display performance numbers of the 980X, well ahead of its launch. While tech forums are rife with unofficial benchmark scores of Gulftown, by forum members who test engineering samples with a level of anonymity, this is the first time a motherboard partner came all out with an official demo of the chip's capabilities. Intel's Core i7 980X will be released in a few weeks' time. ASRock's X58 Extreme3 is said to support the chip out of the box, though most socket LGA-1366 motherboards should be able to support it with a simple BIOS update.



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[Lionheart]

Me dont need this, but I want it!

 

[toyo]

LOL at Asus trying to push both brands as high-end products. As for the i7 980, there was a time when it "crawled" at 2.4 GHz, or am i wrong... Excellent rebound for Intel getting the chip to 3.33 GHz inside the 130 W envelope. Good job!

PS: Now please make the damn chips at prices that resemble AMD's, so I can buy me a i7 and a 5870. Pretty please?

 

[btarunr]

PS: Now please make the damn chips at prices that resemble AMD's, so I can buy me a i7 and a 5870.P Pretty please?

Core i7 980X is expected to cost $999 a piece.

 

[buggalugs]

LOL at Asus trying to push both brands as high-end products. As for the i7 980, there was a time when it "crawled" at 2.4 GHz, or am i wrong... Excellent rebound ?

You got your CPUs mixed up. This is the first 6 core desktop CPU and it will be relesed in the next week or two.

They will release a mainstream version at slower speed in the months ahead.

 

[toyo]

Core i7 980X is expected to cost $999 a piece.

Yeah, I know, like almost every new Intel Extreme CPU. Oh, that would probably be in USA and by 1000 pieces, so who knows how much will it end up in my new-UE-admitted native Romania. I never saw a system with a Xtreme CPU from Intel, and will probably never own one.
But at least I can correct my extra "P" typo that I saw in your quote, so there's a win-win situation in everything...

@buggalugs: I'm pretty sure that were some i7 980 ES tests leaked earlier. The CPU was at 2.4 GHz stock. I'll post a link if I find it.

 

[kaneda]

damn intel, i want AMD to come back. XD i want to see the days of the FX-60 again XD