Here's the first picture of G.Skill's gaming-grade RipJaws 4 DDR4 memory modules. Featuring a slightly new heatspreader design, albeit the same flashy colour options as its DDR3 predecessors, RipJaws 4 will initially ship in quad-channel kits of 16 GB (4x 4GB) and 32 GB (4x 8GB); in time for Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT platform. G.Skill's range will begin at DDR4-2133, going all the way up to DDR4-3000. The ones above DDR4-2133 will ship with XMP 2.0 profiles that let you run the advertised speeds with a simple setting in the UEFI setup program. UK retailer Overclockers UK has it up for pre-order at this page.

With two more weeks left to the official launch of Haswell-E and the X99 chipset, ASRock decided to reveal another one of its X99-based boards, the 'workstation level' X99 WS. Seen below, the upcoming LGA2011 motherboard makes use of the Super Alloy technology (extra large aluminum alloy heatsinks, premium alloy chokes, dual-stack MOSFET, 12K platinum capacitors) and features eight DDR4 slots allowing up to 128 GB of RAM, ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one Ultra M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) connector and no less than six PCIe x16 slots (SLI and CrossFire are supported).

The X99 WS also has dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet, Purity Sound 2 7.1 channel audio, one eSATA port, four USB 3.0 connectors, and a debut LED. Unfortunately ASRock hasn't shared any info regarding the board's price tag.

Intel is expected to launch its next flagship Core i7 HEDT (high-end desktop) processors, codenamed "Haswell-E" along with compatible motherboards based on the company's X99 Express chipset, on the 29th of August, 2014. The platform will introduce DDR4 system memory to the consumer space. On that day, Intel's new processors, compatible motherboards, and DDR4 memory modules should be ready to buy off the shelf.

Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" processor lineup will include three parts, two six-core, and one eight-core. Leading the pack will be the Core i7-5960X, featuring eight cores based on the "Haswell" micro-architecture, with HyperThreading enabling 16 logical CPUs; a staggering 20 MB of shared L3 cache, and 3.00 GHz clock speed. It will command a four-figure price. Next up, is the Core i7-5930K, featuring six cores, HyperThreading enabling 12 logical CPUs, 15 MB of shared L3 cache, and 3.50 GHz clocks. This chip will be priced anywhere between $500 and $750. The most affordable chip will be the Core i7-4820K, which will be a six-core chip. Its other specs are unclear. It is expected to be priced between $350 and $450.

Corsair, a leader in high-performance PC hardware, today announced the availability of Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum lines of high-speed DDR4 computer memory. This new generation of memory ushers in a new age of ultrafast computing with optimizations such as increased DRAM bandwidth, higher bus frequencies, lower power usage, and higher reliability.

Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum DDR4 memory kits are validated with motherboard partners (ASUS, ASRock, EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI) and use the new XMP 2.0 profile to deliver easy, reliable overclocking performance with the upcoming next-generation Intel X99 platforms and Intel Core i7 processors (codenamed Haswell-E). The Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum memory kits are supplied with a limited lifetime warranty.

Noctua today announced that it will continue its tradition of supplying customers with its premium-class SecuFirm2 mounting kits for novel platforms free of charge. While newer Noctua heatsinks support Haswell-E's LGA2011-3 socket out of the box, older models can be upgraded with the NM-I2011 kit at no additional cost.

"We're determined to provide the best possible support to our customers and over the years, we've sent many thousands of mounting kits free of charge to users who wanted to upgrade to new platforms", says Mag. Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "With Haswell-E just around the corner, we're pleased to announce that we'll extend this offer for LGA2011-3. Owners of older Noctua retail heatsinks that don't support LGA2011 out of the box will be able to upgrade to the new socket free of charge!"

Taiwanese company ASRock has this week provided a few press images of its soon-to-be-released X99X Killer motherboard. Based on Intel's X99 chipset, the board offers support for Haswell-E (LGA2011) processors and features eight DDR4 memory slots (for up to 128 GB of RAM), three PCI-Express x16 slots (allowing SLI or CrossFire setups), ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, plus one Ultra (PCIe x4-powered) M2 connector.

ASRock's creation also has 7.1-channel Purity Sound 2 audio, dual Gigabit Ethernet (one Intel NIC and one Killer E2200 NIC), two Fatal1ty and six 'regular' USB 3.0 mouse ports, one eSATA connector, plus a debug LED. The X99X Killer is set to become available after August 29th.

Here's the first picture of Gigabyte's new socket LGA2011-3 motherboard, the X99 Gaming G1. Designed for Core i7 "Haswell-E" processors, the board is packed to the brim with features, although it's positioned in the mainline lineup. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and conditions it for the CPU using an 8-phase VRM. The CPU socket is wired to eight DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 64 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory; and four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots.

Storage connectivity includes ten SATA 6 Gb/s, one SATA-Express 10 Gb/s, and an M.2 slot. Network connectivity include 802.11 ac WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, and gigabit Ethernet, driven by Qualcomm Killer E2200. The Sound Core3D audio solution features a user-replaceable headphone amp, audio-grade capacitors, and ground-layer isolation. A number of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of it.

MSI released teaser shots of its upcoming flagship socket LGA2011-2 motherboard, designed for Core i7 "Haswell-E" processors, featuring DDR4 memory interfaces. Called the X99S Gaming 9 AC, as its name suggests, the board is based on Intel X99 Express chipset. It appears to feature eight DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting quad-channel DDR4 memory; five PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, with the ability to drive 4-way SLI and CrossFireX; storage connectivity that includes one or more M.2 slots, and SATA-Express, apart form eight SATA 6Gb/s ports. Networking includes 802.11 ac WLAN, Killer E2200 gigabit Ethernet, eight (or more) USB 3.0 ports, and a boat-load of overclocker-friendly features.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, today launches the Premier DDR4 2133 Unbuffered DIMM memory, which supports the latest Intel Haswell-E platform for extreme performance. Thanks to the benefits of DDR4 and rigorous production of ADATA, the DDR4 2133 U-DIMM memory module is the best upgrade solution for PC DIY users.

Faster Data Transfer, Higher Power Efficiency
With speeds of up to 2133 MHz and a transfer bandwidth reaching 17 GB/s, the Premier DDR4 2133 Unbuffered DIMM provides greater efficiency of data transfer than previous generations of DRAM. Compared to DDR3, DDR4 memory features faster clock frequencies and lower power consumption. Running at just 1.2 volts, the new DDR4 2133 Unbuffered DIMM can save 20% of the power making it an environmentally friendly component. In desktop PCs, the advantages of DDR4 will lead to lower costs and improved overall performance.

Intel Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT (high-end desktop) processors, along with compatible motherboards based on the Intel X99 Express chipset, are expected to launch on September 14, 2014, according to a leaked Intel supply chain document scored by VR-Zone. The Core i7 "Haswell-E" series succeeds current Core i7 "Ivy Bridge-E," and its compatible X79 Express chipset. The new chips will be built in the new LGA2011-3 package (incompatible with current LGA2011), and will be the first client desktop platform to support the new DDR4 system memory standard. The series will include three parts, the six-core Core i7-5820K and i7-4930K; and the eight-core i7-5960X. The three are detailed in our older article, here.

Intel's presentation for Italian technology conference 3D Revolution 2014 was leaked to the web, revealing the company's most up-to-date desktop CPU roadmap, which looks deep into 2015. It reveals a wealth of new information. To begin with the HEDT (high-end desktop) segment, Intel plans to drag Core i7 "Ivy Bridge-E" through Q3-2014, and launch its succeeding Core i7 "Haswell-E" processor close to Q4-2014, or late into Q3, which would pin its launch some time in September 2014. "Haswell-E" is built in the new socket LGA2011-3 package, and is supported exclusively by Intel X99 Express chipset. It also heralds DDR4 memory to the consumer space. "Haswell-E" will have its reign till late-Q3 2015, when Intel plans to launch Core i7 "Broadwell-E," which is built in the same package, and supported by the same X99 platform, but based on a swanky new 14 nm silicon.

Things get interesting with the company's mainline desktop processors. Intel recently launched its "Haswell" Refresh silicon, and is bound to launch their unlocked variants, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," on the 25th of June. Built in the LGA1150 package, "Haswell" Refresh runs on both 8-series and 9-series chipset. Intel's 9-series chipset was originally designed to launch alongside the company's first processors built on the 14 nm silicon fab process, codenamed "Broadwell," which is an optical shrink of "Haswell," with a few minor tweaks and speed bumps, just as "Ivy Bridge" was to "Sandy Bridge." Intel's "Broadwell" chips are now expected to debut in Q1-2015, probably along the sidelines of the 2015 International CES. These chips will be supported by existing LGA1150 motherboards, some with BIOS updates.

Here are the first pictures of a Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 memory module up close. Launched earlier this week, the Ballistix Elite DDR4 will be Crucial's first enthusiast module to address the emerging market created by Intel's Haswell-E HEDT platform. It will come in various speeds upwards of 2133 MHz (DDR), and densities of 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB, and will be available as single-module, dual-channel, and quad-channel kits. The underlying DRAM chips are homebrew, from Micron's mega DRAM/NAND-flash plant in Boise, Idaho, US. The chips are cooled by a simple and effective aluminium heat-spreader.

EVGA showed us one of the more 'complete' socket LGA2011-2 motherboards, decked up with its heatsinks. The company will likely name it X99 FTW. Designed for enthusiast PCs with three or more graphics cards, and high-bandwidth PCIe SSDs, and built in the ATX form-factor, the X99 FTW draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, with optional stabilizing inputs from a 6-pin PCIe and a 4-pin Molex. Barring the EPS, all other connectors are angled away, to help reduce cable clutter. The CPU socket is powered by an 8-phase VRM, with 4-phase memory VRM. It's flanked by four DDR4 DIMM slots on either side, supporting up to 64 GB of quad-channel memory.

Expansion slots include five PCI-Express 3.0 x16 wired to the CPU (x16, x8, x8, x16, x8); and one PCI-Express 2.0 x4, wired to the X99 PCH. Storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the PCH, and four SATA 6 Gb/s from a third-party controller. 8-channel HD audio, and two gigabit Ethernet interfaces complete the connectivity. The board's real goods are its overclocker-friendly features, including PCIe slot disabling DIP switches, POST sequence LEDs and error code readouts, two clear CMOS buttons, and EVGA EVBot support. EVGA is expected to launch this board, alongside Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors, later this year.

ASRock unveiled prototypes of its first LGA2011-2 motherboards based on Intel X99 Express chipset, ready for the company's upcoming Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors. The color-scheme and heatsink designs are not finalized. Both boards are built in the ATX form-factor, and draw power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and 4-pin Molex power connectors; and use 12-phase VRM to condition power to the CPU. Both further feature eight DDR4 DIMM slots. They differ in their expansion slot areas. The Extreme4 features a total of four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, while the Extreme6 features three, which uses the space saved to drop in two storage slots, an Ultra-M.2 (x4 link layer) and an mSATA. The Extreme6 offers two Intel-made GbE connections, while the Extreme4 offers just one.

ADATA's claim of being the first memory maker with DDR4 overclocking modules wouldn't fly with anyone, if they weren't using a live Haswell-E HEDT platform to show it off. The system appears to be using a prototype Intel X99 chipset micro-ATX motherboard by ASRock, and a Haswell-E engineering sample. The module comes with JEDEC SPD profile of 2133 MHz, but claims to offer tons of overclocking headroom. The system was wired to a display, and evidently, CPU-Z can't read the memory config. It can, however, read out DRAM clock and timings. The system was doing 1373 MHz (2746 MHz DDR), with timings of 14-14-14-36-CR2T.

At its Computex 2014 booth EVGA is showcasing a prototype motherboard powered by Intel's upcoming X99 chipset. This Haswell-E-supporting LGA2011 board packs eight DDR4 memory slots, ten SATA ports, five PCI-Express x16 slots allowing for SLI/Crossfire setups, 7.1 channel audio, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and various goodies to help overclockers get the most out of their setup.

EVGA's X99 board is likely set to debut as soon as Intel launches the chipset and the new Core i7-5xxxK line of processors, sometime in Q3.

MSI showed off its very first LGA2011-2 motherboard, based on Intel's X99 Express chipset, supporting Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors. The unnamed board is still in its early stages of development, none of its product styling (colors, heatsinks/lack-thereof) are final. The board features eight DDR4 DIMM slots, with which it should support up to 64 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory. The CPU is powered by an 8-phase VRM. Expansion slots include four PCI-Express 3.0 x16. Storage connectivity includes one each of SATA-Express, M.2, and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Most of its connectors are not even placed, but one can expect multiple USB 3.0 ports, two gigabit Ethernet connections, Thunderbolt, etc.

Panram unveiled its first consumer DDR4 memory modules, ready for upcoming Haswell-E HEDT platform, the Ninja-V. Equipped with simple and contemporary looking heatspreaders that aren't much taller than the module itself, the first Ninja-V modules will stick to JEDEC standard speeds of DDR4-2133. They'll run at 2133 MHz, with standard timings, and module voltage of 1.2V. The company will launch the Ninja-V towards the end of this year, when Intel launches the Haswell-E HEDT platform, which features a quad-channel DDR4 IMC, which could offer system memory bandwidths in excess of 80 GB/s.

Intel's next-generation HEDT (high end desktop) platform, consisting of Core i7 "Haswell-E" processors and X99 Express chipset motherboards, are unlikely to get a showing at Computex 2014, according to an OCWorkbench report, which has its feet on the ground in Taipei. What makes this development surprising, is that Intel is expected to launch the platform in the second half of 2014, and after Computex, the company won't get another major tradeshow until 2015 International CES, slated for January. What's even more surprising, is that Intel has already launched 9-series motherboards for socket LGA1150, that are designed to support its 14 nm Core "Broadwell" mainline processors. According to the report, Intel will have its motherboard partners focus on already launched Z97 Express and H97 Express motherboards, with a focus on the platform's support for M.2 and SATA-Express interfaces, that enable a new generation of faster SSDs.

Here is the first picture of ADATA's XPG V3 DDR3 DRAM module. It will be launched alongside the company's first enthusiast-grade DDR4 modules. ADATA's XPG Z1 DDR4 modules will come in densities as high as 16 GB, clocked at JEDEC-standard DDR4-2133 MHz, and run at module voltages of 1.2V. The same heatspreader design as the one pictured below, will also be used on the company's new XPG V3 line of DDR3 modules, and will come in a number of color options, to match your motherboard's color scheme. The first client platforms with support for DDR4 memory include Intel "Broadwell," and "Haswell-E" HEDT.

Intel's next-generation Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT (high-end desktop) processor lineup, slated for later this year, accompanied by the company's X99 Express chipset, will launch at three price-points, predictably, succeeding the current Core i7-4820K, i7-4930K, and i7-4960X. The platform will herald a new LGA socket, which will have 2,011 pins, but will not be compatible with current LGA2011 platforms based on the X79 Express chipset. That's because "Haswell-E" will be among the first client platforms to support DDR4-SDRAM memory. All Haswell-E chips will support DDR4-2133 MHz out of the box.

Moving on to the actual lineup, and it begins with the Core i7-5820K. This is a six-core chip, and a welcome departure from Intel's sub-$400 HEDT chips being quad-core. Whether it supports HyperThreading, is not known. You still get 6 physical cores to plow through work. The chip also features a staggering 15 MB of L3 cache, clock speed of 3.30 GHz with a couple of notches of Turbo Boost, and a quad-channel DDR4 integrated memory controller. Oh, and there's the unlocked BClk multiplier. Sounds too good to be true for a sub-$400 chip? Here's the catch - its on-die PCI-Express Gen 3.0 root complex will have fewer lanes. It can spare just 16 + 8 lanes for discrete graphics cards. For boards with three long x16 slots, that would mean x16/NC/x8, or x8/x8/x8, with an additional x4 link.

Here's what the first wave of Intel 9-series chipsets will look like. It will consist of upper-mainstream chipsets for the LGA1150 platform, and the sole chipset for the LGA2011-3 HEDT platform. LGA1150 will get two new chipsets based on a common silicon, the Z97 Express, and the H97 Express. The Z97 will be the next top-end chipset for the platform, supporting current Core "Haswell" and upcoming "Haswell refresh" and "Devil's Canyon" processors. Motherboards based on the Z97 chipset, like the ones based on the Z87 and Z77, will feature up to three PCI-Express 3.0 slots wired to the CPU, in configurations of x16/NC/NC, x8/x8/NC, and x8/x4/x4. It will support overclocking, something its sibling the H97 Express will lack. The H97 will also lack the PCIe configurations that the Z97 supports.

Both Z97 and H97 will introduce support for PCI-Express M.2 storage, which offers 66.6% higher bandwidth than SATA 6 Gb/s, and the same bandwidth as SATA-Express. Its introduction will spur up development and launches of a new generation of high-performance client SSDs in 2014-15. Apart from M.2, the two chipsets offer six SATA 6 Gb/s ports with AHCI and RAID support. Rapid Storage Technology (RST) and Smart Response Technology (SRT) are common for both chips, however, the Z97 also features Dynamic Storage Accelerator (DST), something the H97 will lack. H97 will exclusively offer Small Business Advantage (SBA), instead. Both chips will feature 8-lane PCI-Express gen 2.0 root complexes to drive onboard devices, and 14 USB ports, including six USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports.

At GDC, Intel announced a backpedal from its plans to eventually reshape desktop CPUs into components that come hardwired to the motherboards across the line, by announcing three new CPU families. It includes the Haswell-E HEDT platform, Broadwell performance platform, and Devil's Canyon. The three are expected to launch in reverse order, beginning with Devil's Canyon. A variant of existing "Haswell" silicon in the LGA1150 package, Devil's Canyon is codename for a breed of hand-picked chips with "insane" overclocking potential. In addition to binned dies, the chips feature a performance-optimized TIM between the die and the integrated heatspreader (IHS). The dies will be placed on special "high tolerance" packages, with equally "special" LGA contact points. The chips will be designed with higher voltage tolerance levels. Devil's Canyon is expected to branded under the existing Core i7-4xxx series, possibly with "Extreme" brand extension. It will be compatible with motherboards based on the Z97 chipset.

Next up, is "Broadwell." A successor to Haswell, Broadwell is its optical shrink to Intel's new 14-nanometer silicon fab process, with minor improvements to IPC, new power-management features, and likely added instruction sets, much like what "Ivy Bridge" was to "Sandy Bridge." It will take advantage of the new process to step up CPU and iGPU clock speeds. Broadwell is expected to launch in the second half of 2014. Lastly, there's Haswell-E. Built in the company's next-gen LGA2011 socket (incompatible with the current LGA2011), this HEDT (high-end desktop) processor will feature up to eight CPU cores, up to 15 MB of L3 cache, a 48-lane PCI-Express 3.0 root complex, and a quad-channel DDR4 integrated memory controller (IMC). Intel is also planning to launch a socketed variant of the Core i7-4770R, which is based on the company's Haswell GT3e silicon, which features the Iris Pro 5200 graphics core, with 40 execution units, and 128 MB of L4 cache.

Intel is expected to launch its refreshed Core "Haswell" processor lineup in the second quarter of 2014 (between April and June), beating its Computex 2014 anticipated launch window. Motherboard vendors will launch their products based on Intel's new Z97 Express and H97 Express chipsets by the end of April. The products will have reached retail channels worldwide by May.

Intel will release as many as 20 new SKUs spanning its Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, and Pentium brands, including the Core i7-4790, Core i5-4690, Core i5-4590, Core i3-4360, Pentium G3450, and Celeron G1840. Among the low-power SKUs are the Core i7-4790S, Core i5-4590S, and Core i3-4150T. The overclockers among you may want to hold out until Computex (June), because it's only then that Intel is expected to launch the Core i7-4790K and Core i5-4690K, which come with unlocked base-clock multipliers. These chips should be compatible with current socket LGA1150 motherboards, with a BIOS update. Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT platform could also launch around that time. Q2~Q3 promises to be a hectic time of the year for motherboard makers once again.

Taiwanese company ADATA Technology is gearing up for the arrival of DDR4 and at CES it showcased a couple of memory modules based on the standard. ADATA's DDR4 sticks have 8 GB and 16 GB capacities and run at 2133 MHz with CL15 latencies while powered at 1.2V.

The modules on display are 'suitable for servers' (they are R-DIMMs) but the company will surely have some consumer-oriented offerings for later this year when Intel launches the DDR4-supporting Haswell-E processors.