Intel to Bring 8-core/16-thread CPUs to the Mainstream Desktop Platform in 2018

[btarunr]

Having hit a wall with fab process-assisted micro-architecture advancements, and facing an unexpectedly competitive AMD, there's only one direction left for Intel's product development over generations, core-counts. The company is on the verge of introducing 6-core/12-thread "Coffee Lake" processors to the mainstream-desktop (MSDT) platform in a few weeks from now; and if leaks by a popular BTO desktop-replacement/mobile-workstation manufacturer Eurocom is to be believed, the company could increase the core counts a second time in 2018, by introducing an 8-core/16-thread MSDT part.

A Eurocom representative, posting on NotebookReview forums, hinted at the possibility that the upcoming Intel Z390 Express chipset, which hits motherboards in 2018, could exclusively support 8-core/16-thread processors, which come out in the second half of 2018. The representative revealed this in context of the company skipping the Z370 Express chipset, as it lacks support for those upcoming 8-core/16-thread chips. In addition to support for new processors and possibly next-generation "Ice Lake" processors, the Z390 chipset adds several new features over the Z370, including a better onboard audio solution, integrated WLAN, and SDIO controller.



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[dj-electric]

Expected a bit, but a little surprised to know that intel advances further than 6C as mainstream meta earlier then expected.

 

[birdie]

Now that I'm ready to upgrade from my aging Sandy Bridge CPU they are saying that Coffee Lake CPUs, which are to be released in just two weeks from now, will be made obsolete in less than a year later. Including the 300 series chipset. A real bummer. As if I have to postpone my upgrade once again. Sounds like a good idea, actually. GTX 1060 plus Intel Core i5 2500 still run everything at 1080p spectacularly.

 

[ZoneDymo]

Thank you AMD.

 

[lordofdusk95]

Z370 = mainstream, up to 6c
Z390 = semi enthusiast??, up to 8c
X299 = enthusiast, up to 18c

Why they don't just add it as mainstream line? another marketing trick? because Z390 is bigger than X370?

 

[john_]

Nice, new motherboards. Intel fans will be really happy reading this.

 

[RejZoR]

Why don't they just solder CPU on their mobo? They change mobos every year anyway, what's the point?

 

[newtekie1]

hinted at the possibility that the upcoming Intel Z290 Express chipset

I think that is supposed to be Z390.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

HURRY INTEL! HURRY! WE need another socket again there were only 2 new in 2017!

 

[john_]

By the way, let's make this a little more funny, by combining the information about needing a new motherboard for the 8 core model, with the info/rumor about kaby lakes not working on 300 series motherboards

Intel Kabylake CPUs will not work with Z370 motherboards, at least not yet - VideoCardz.com

Intel took the right decision(increasing core count in mainstream platform) and makes one mistake after the other implementing that decision, IF the above ends up being correct.

 

[Prima.Vera]

Bummer! Now is crystal clear that I will skip this 6c CPU to upgrade my 3770K and go directly for the 8c one.
There is now 0 (zero) point on going with the 6c CPU, especially that next year a new mobo have to be changed again if you want the new 8c CPU...
Intel, you god damn f*king bastards!

 

[StrayKAT]

Thank you AMD.

Don't thank them too much. Intel and Nvidia play hardball, when they need to compete. Look how fast they're already moving.. and seemingly not even wanting AMD to get an advantage in any market segment.

 

[VSG]

I think that is supposed to be Z390.

Yup, typo corrected.

 

[Anymal]

Shit, now you are bullshiting us. AMD Ryzen 2 will be perfect for me, Ryzen 1 is too anemic per core.

 

[Ubersonic]

Coming soon! A massive Eight cores! A massive Sixteen threads! And a massive Sixteen PCI-E lanes too! Only from Intel!

 

[Slizzo]

Hmm... upgrade for my X99 platform then???

Depends on how AMD's Zen+ clocks up, and what Intel clocks these at.

 

[Basard]

Why don't they just solder CPU on their mobo? They change mobos every year anyway, what's the point?

It would be too hard to delid then...

 

[FeelinFroggy]

Now that I'm ready to upgrade from my aging Sandy Bridge CPU they are saying that Coffee Lake CPUs, which are to be released in just two weeks from now, will be made obsolete in less than a year later. Including the 300 series chipset. A real bummer. As if I have to postpone my upgrade once again. Sounds like a good idea, actually. GTX 1060 plus Intel Core i5 2500 still run everything at 1080p spectacularly.

Obsolete? The 8700k/8600k will not be obsolete when the next generation of chips come out. If that was the case your 2500 would have long since past.

The truth is, very few applications scale to 8 cores and even fewer games. 8 core/16 thread chips are for power users and have little to no impact for gamers. In the future games will take advantage of more threads, but that will be driven by console hardware. Until consoles have more than 8 threads, the majority of games will not scale well with more threads.

If I were you I would look at the reviews when the 8th gen is released and if they are good I would get one. You will see a big increase over your 2500 at 1080p.

 

[HisDivineOrder]

I have my doubts that this is happening, but IF IT DOES it's a very real indication that Intel is working overtime to counter AMD's efforts in the consumer space. Everything it did with i9 and HEDT, well that was for a segment that's not related to the consumer space.

But rushing 8 core after just launching 6 core the year before and a new socket so soon after a new socket the year before? Yah, that's pretty reactionary.

The joke is Intel doesn't have to worry so much. Most people are going to do the sane thing and wait a year to let AMD iron out all the bugs and release a second iteration. That's what the smart folks do, especially given AMD's initial memory problems.

 

[OSdevr]

Don't thank them too much. Intel and Nvidia play hardball, when they need to compete. Look how fast they're already moving.. and seemingly not even wanting AMD to get an advantage in any market segment.

Yeah, that's the important word there.

 

[dwade]

Don't thank them too much. Intel and Nvidia play hardball, when they need to compete. Look how fast they're already moving.. and seemingly not even wanting AMD to get an advantage in any market segment.

Most people only want AMD to be on Intel and Nvidia's radar so they can buy their stuff for cheaper.

 

[Frick]

I hope Haswell i7s will flood the market at that point.

 

[Chaitanya]

So Intel trying to milk customers further with new chipset/generation. Guess it's desperate times at Intel.

 

[dj-electric]

So Intel trying to milk customers further with new chipset/generation. Guess it's desperate times at Intel.

There's no indication that Z370 won't support the 8 core CPUs. There are indications of people already assuming it

 

[Chaitanya]

upcoming Intel Z390 Express chipset, which hits motherboards in 2018, could exclusively support 8-core/16-thread processors

There's no indication that Z370 won't support the 8 core CPUs. There are indications of people already assuming it