14 DAY TRIAL // Event though the central processing unit Core i7 980X was initially set for launch during 2010's second quarter, Intel seems to have revised its roadmap and is now planning to formally launch the six-core earlier than planned. The processor, also known as the Gulftown, will work with the LGA 1366 socket and will be the new high-end CPU from the Santa Clara-based Intel Corp.
The Intel Core i7 980X Gulftown CPU is based on the 32nm manufacturing process and is built with six processing cores (obviously) and 12 threads. The L3 cache memory is of 12MB and the processor's thermal design power is of 130W. The Gulftown is also built with a QuickPath Interconnect of 6.4 GT/s (Gigatransfers per second).
So far, the reasons for this rescheduling have not exactly been made clear. It's possible that the chip maker was able to focus more on the development of the Gulftown after it decided to put off the developments of the Larrabee chip. Intel may also be aiming to release its chips before AMD has a chance to release its Thuban processors, which are set to debut in the second quarter of 2010.
The processor, in addition to the 12MB cache, will support Hyper-Threading and the Intel Turbo Boost technologies. In addition, the processor will have an integrated memory controller, DDR3 1066 memory. The chip will be compatible with X58 Express chipsets, but will warrant a BIOS update.
Intel will be able to reap the benefits of the early release thanks to the fact that there are already a number of motherboards capable of running the upcoming Core i7. ASUS, for instance, already has a number of X58 boards prepared to house the unit, including corresponding BIOS versions.
The exact release date is still unknown, but, seeing how it is set for March, there is the possibility for the actual launch to be made at the CeBIT 2010. The price is currently set at $999.