Intel to ship 3.46GHz six-core i7 in early 2011
updated 08:55 pm EDT, Mon August 23, 2010
Chip clocks faster than Core i7 980X
Intel has reportedly set a launch time-frame for its flagship Extreme Edition CPU, the Core i7 990X. The six-core chip is based on the company's Gulftown architecture, which is shared with the 980X. Both models offer many of the same features, although the 990X brings a faster clock speed of 3.46GHz.
The high-end CPU is expected to feature 12MB of Level 3 cache, along with Hyperthreading support for up to 12 computing threads. Users will be able to overclock to 3.73GHz, while power consumption at thermal peak is said to reach 130W.
Intel has yet to announce a specific release date for the 990X, although it will arrive on the market sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Pricing is expected to match the 980X, which costs $999 for quantity purchases. [via Fudzilla]
