14 DAY TRIAL // The time when we are able to put our hands on Intel's highly expected Nehalem-Bloomfield processors and its X58 boards is approaching fast. There are only six weeks left, that, of course, if the chip manufacturer does not change its plans once again. Or, as the rumor goes, if the launch is not delayed due to issues found in the new chipset and architecture of the products.
Week 44, or late September, is the time frame we would expect to see the next-generation of devices on display. Hopefully, the rumored delay won't become reality. A few motherboard manufacturers are already annoyed by Intel's suggestions of modifying components, especially when these new ideas come only six weeks before the official launch. Design and sampling schedules would be affected by any change.
It seems that Intel's premium chipset will cost alone $70, and some may see it as a bit expensive. Still, other boards, like Nvidia's nForce 790i Ultra SLI, were priced at over $100. Intel won't go that high, but, as expected, the new technology is not cheap at all. At least, not for the time being.
Good news comes for the big business customers seeking workstation and server parts. Intel plans to launch components for this area a little bit earlier, during week 40. The first look at Nehalem's performance we'll have will be on the single socket Xeons. Although Intel's Penryn chips are doing quite well out there, the company still has the Nehalem on the road to replace them, and we can't help but wonder why.
We are accustomed to having the newest parts shipped in October, and we really hope that Intel does not have a hidden agenda with these product launch sequences. Especially because the Nehalem processors have been turned from side to side during the past few months, and everybody has high expectations when hearing the name.