Intel Pushes Motherboard + Optane Bundles, "Coffee Lake" in August

[btarunr]

Back in April, we reported motherboard manufacturer MSI bundling Intel's Optane cache SSD with a few of its mid-range motherboards. While not free, the bundle would be slightly cheaper than the sum of its parts (buying the board and SSD separately). At the time we predicted that other motherboard vendors could launch similar bundles. It turns out that Intel is indeed coordinating motherboard + Optane SSD bundles.

In a bid to boost sales of its 200-series chipset motherboards and Core "Kaby Lake" processors, Intel is coordinating bundles of motherboards across brands with its Optane cache SSDs. Analysts predict that this could be an inventory-clearing exercise by Intel, because it plans to launch its next-generation Core "Coffee Lake" processors by late-August, 2017. "Coffee Lake" will see the introduction of six-core processor SKUs to Intel's mainstream-desktop platform, which is currently led by the quad-core i7-7700K "Kaby Lake."



In all likelihood, Intel could change the socket with "Coffee Lake," and introduce a new chipset, making current 200-series chipset boards and Core "Kaby Lake" processors bad options. The company already pushed two generations of processors, the 6th generation Core "Skylake" and 7th generation Core "Kaby Lake" through the LGA1151 platform, which has two generations of chipset - 100-series and 200-series. Given that Intel isn't going to transition from its current 14 nm process in the near-term, a 14 nm six-core processor could likely have higher electrical requirements than what the LGA1151 socket can afford. Add to that, Intel's quad-core "Kaby Lake" parts already ship with TDP as high as 91W.

In the meantime, Intel has its eyes on the over 130 motherboard models that are based on 200-series chipset, and support Optane SSD caching.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[fynxer]

Intel Panicking, they finally realized they can not sell same old tech repackaged over and over again with AMD breathing down their necks.

Competition at it's best, more power, innovation and lower prices, a bright x86/x64 future ahead of us.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Not all combinations support Optane though, you need a Core i processor or better and the B250 chipset or higher.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Still 14nm. I wonder what Gordon Moore thinks of that.

 

[alucasa]

I feel like Skylake and Skylake 2.0 (AKA Kabylake) never lived their full potential. Those two CPU gens were a disaster.

 

[meirb111]

so intel is going to change socket because of power problem? i don't think so. if amd can make 65w 6 cores cpu than intel can. the 6 cores will end up with higher price than current i5.

 

[P4-630]

Those two CPU gens were a disaster.

Well I'm pretty satisfied with it.

 

[RejZoR]

so intel is going to change socket because of power problem? i don't think so. if amd can make 65w 6 cores cpu than intel can. the 6 cores will end up with higher price than current i5.

Gotta sell dem chipsets too yo!

 

[eidairaman1]

6 gen/7th gen were bad buys anyway. Those who are on 1366, 1155, 1150 are sticking to them.

 

[newtekie1]

Optane SSD caching isn't exciting because the drives are too small. Just raise the limit on RST so we can use larger regular SSD drives and I'd be happy.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Optane SSD caching isn't exciting because the drives are too small. Just raise the limit on RST so we can use larger regular SSD drives and I'd be happy.

But, but... How is Intel supposed to be able to sell you new, overpriced tech then?

 

[TheOne]

Went from 1366 X58 i7 920 to 1151 Z170 i5 6600K a couple of years ago, so far I'm happy with my purchase, though it was more for the improved motherboard features and because my Bloomfield system was 6 years old.

 

[5DVX0130]

Optane was awesome on paper, and would have been a rather good alternative to SSD, if it was launched in 2015. Alas, it's 2017 now and it's an utter failure.
Not only is it not any better than an entry level SSD, it’s more expensive and only works within a very specific setup.

Maybe v2 will be better (if it doesn’t die out by then). Either way it’s yet another disappointment, which Intel has been having a lot lately.

so intel is going to change socket because of power problem? i don't think so. if amd can make 65w 6 cores cpu than intel can. the 6 cores will end up with higher price than current i5.

Don’t think anyone was seriously expecting that they wouldn’t change the chipset, or even the socket.
1150 had 2 CPU and 2 chipset revisions, after that 1151 came out. The story repeats, 2 CPU and 2 chipsets revisions, and it’s time for a new socket and CPU.

Well AMD can make 65W 8-core chips (R7 1 700). That said Intel can also make them (Xeon), it’s just that they are well below 2GHz.

 

[mcraygsx]

I feel like Skylake and Skylake 2.0 (AKA Kabylake) never lived their full potential. Those two CPU gens were a disaster.

Exactly Kabylake was just released and already outclassed by bunch of low life AMD j/k.

 

[RejZoR]

Optane was awesome on paper, and would have been a rather good alternative to SSD, if it was launched in 2015. Alas, it's 2017 now and it's an utter failure.
Not only is it not any better than an entry level SSD, it’s more expensive and only works within a very specific setup.

Maybe v2 will be better (if it doesn’t die out by then). Either way it’s yet another disappointment, which Intel has been having a lot lately.



Don’t think anyone was seriously expecting that they wouldn’t change the chipset, or even the socket.
1150 had 2 CPU and 2 chipset revisions, after that 1151 came out. The story repeats, 2 CPU and 2 chipsets revisions, and it’s time for a new socket and CPU.

Well AMD can make 65W 8-core chips (R7 1 700). That said Intel can also make them (Xeon), it’s just that they are well below 2GHz.

Main problem is really the fact most people don't have a clue what's hybrid storage and those that kinda do think it's crap. Go figure. With SSD and at larger capacities, it would cost the same and actually be more efficient. Optane cache is more or less proof of concept thing. I think Intel released it just to see how it operates in real world conditions before they deploy it for corporate use. Can't see any other reason why they'd push out same tech as they already have in same capacity years ago (Intel Smart Response or whatever that thing was that did the same thing, but with SSD).
And this silly limiting to latest chipsets just makes it even less interesting for everyone. I mean, most people who buy Z270 chipset today would rather just buy a larger SSD than use hybrid. Which kinda defeats the purpose of Optane by itself. I mean, if you spend 1500 on new system, what difference does extra 300€ make, really for a 1+ TB SSD...

 

[Ruru]

Not all combinations support Optane though, you need a Core i processor or better and the B250 chipset or higher.

What, Pentiums doesn't support?

I feel like Skylake and Skylake 2.0 (AKA Kabylake) never lived their full potential. Those two CPU gens were a disaster.

Ehm, Broadwell (yeah, I know that IGPU, but for a typical user)..

 

[alucasa]

Intel never targeted desktop users for Broadwell, so I am going to let it slide.

 

[AsRock]

Coffee Lake lmao, they been on to much coffee.

so intel is going to change socket because of power problem? i don't think so. if amd can make 65w 6 cores cpu than intel can. the 6 cores will end up with higher price than current i5.

AMD More core's, intel MORE sockets.

 

[Caring1]

Coffee Lake lmao, they been on to much coffee.



AMD More core's, intel MORE sockets.

Gotta keep that turn over happening to keep income flowing.

 

[TheLostSwede]

What, Pentiums doesn't support?

No. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for a list of supported processors and chipsets http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/optane-memory.html

But for whatever reason, Intel is displaying whatever this is, as the picture of an Optane ready board...

 

[Ruru]

No. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for a list of supported processors and chipsets http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/optane-memory.html

But for whatever reason, Intel is displaying whatever this is, as the picture of an Optane ready board...

So G4560 isn't that perfect, damn.