Intel previews Core i7 980X six-core Gulftown CPU
updated 09:35 pm EST, Wed March 10, 2010
Processor previewed at Game Developers Conference
Intel is currently previewing its upcoming Core i7 980X Extreme Edition CPU this week at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. The company is demonstrating several applications optimized for the new platform, including Sega's Napoleon Total War, Ubisoft's RUSE, Geomerics' Enlighten, and Cakewalk's Sonar.
Earlier reports indicate the six-core chip will run at 3.33GHz, the same speed as the current quad-core offerings, with support for Hyperthreading. Intel claims the 980X represents the first 32nm, six-core processor with 12 computing threads. Level 3 cache has been upped from 8MB to 12MB, while consuming 130W of power at its thermal peak.
Intel is expected to ship the 980X sometime soon, although an exact date has yet to be announced. Pricing information also remains unconfirmed, although the component is believed to carry a $999 bulk price.
