Intel Begins to Sell New Core i7 Extreme Edition Officially

From X-bit Labs: Intel Corp. on Monday began to officially sell its new Core i7-990X six-core chip designed for those, who have no limits in terms of performance or price in mind. The new processor is currently the world's highest-performing central processing unit (CPU) for desktops and ultra-high end desktop replacement notebooks.

Intel's new ultimate desktop chip has six cores with Hyper-Threading technology, is clocked at 3.46GHz, features 12MB of cache and triple-channel DDR3 memory controller. Thanks to the fact that the Core i7-990X belongs to the Extreme Edition family, it comes with unlocked multiplier and therefore can be easily overclocked to the maximum with the help of an advanced mainboard as well as proper cooling solution. The processor is made using 32nm process technology and is based on Gulftown core with a number of micro-architectural enhancements compared to the original Nehalem design. The chip is compatible with LGA1366 mainboards.

Later this year Intel plans to introduce one more high-end Extreme Edition product in LGA1366 form-factor. In the fourth quarter the company plans to launch a brand-new high-end platform for enthusiasts, which will support Sandy Bridge E-series processors in LGA2011 packaging with quad-core memory controllers and up to six cores with numerous advantages.

Just like its predecessor, the model 980X, the new Core i7-990X costs $999 in 1000-unit quantities.

Separately, Intel slashed pricing on six-core Core i7-970 (3.20GHz, 12MB cache) by 34% to $583 and also reduced the official price of the quad-core Core i7-960 (3.20GHz, 8MB cache) by 48% to $294.

View: Article @ Source Site