14 DAY TRIAL // As technology goes, consumers will see the introduction of new computer processors featuring an increased number of cores. While today's high-end CPUs are featured with a maximum of four cores (for the consumer market), future processors will enable end-users to take advantage of the performance of six cores. Both Intel and AMD are getting ready to launch such solutions, with Intel reportedly expected to announce the CPUs in Q1 2010.
The world's leading chip maker is expected to update its processor lineup with no less than three processors by Q1 2010, all of which will boast the new 6-core architecture, based on the 32nm manufacturing process. The first of the three will be made available this quarter, reports X-bit labs, in a recent article. Dubbed Core i7-980X Extreme Edition, the new processor will work at 3.33GHz and will be targeted at high-end desktop systems, for a CPU price of approximately US$999.
The technical specifications of the new Core i7 980X, available at this time, include the CPU's basic core speed, of 3.33GHz, the support for the maximum single-core Turbo Boost speed of 3.6GHz, 12MB cache memory, the 6.4GH/s QPI speed and the TDP of 130W. The chip will be compatible with LGA1366 socket and will be built using the 32nm Westmere core. Following the release of the Core i7 980X, Intel will also introduce the 970 model, a scaled-down version of the aforementioned CPU, featuring a core speed of 3.2GHz and coming with the same 130W TDP.
Another Extreme Edition chip will be introduced at a later time, around Q1 2011, according to said source. Unfortunately, the specific details regarding this model aren't yet available, but it might turn up to be a faster version of the 980X solution. Codenamed “Gulftown,” these 6-core CPUs will compete with a similar offering from AMD, which is expected to introduce its 'Thuban' processors at a later time.