Intel Launches 6-Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Processor (w/ Video)

(PhysOrg.com) -- Intel has just released its 6-core processor, the Core i7-980X Extreme Edition. The 6-core processor is built using advance 32nm manufacturing and runs at 3.33GHz and is capable of running 12 threads simultaneously with 12MB L3 cache.

The Core i7-980X Extreme Edition is aimed at the consumer market and will retail for $999. The chip is based on the current Westmere architecture and is codenamed “Gulftown”. The chip also features Intel’s dynamic clocking ability to be over-clocked to 3.6GHz.

The processor will benefit users that require serious processing power and also the serious gamers and video content creators.

Intel’s Core i7-980X supports up to three DDR3-1066 memory modules and should be a straight upgrade for motherboards using the X58 chipset; however a firmware upgrade may be necessary. The chip is also has a TDP rating of 130W.

The first Intel 6-core processor (X7460) was released in 2008 but could only run 6 threads simultaneously and retailed for $2729. Intel’s 6-Core i7-980X Extreme Edition is a vast improvement on performance and price.

There has been no release date announce yet for the chip but we can suspect some retailers might already be taking pre-orders for the new processor. We also can expect that AMD will be launching a six-core processor under the branding, Phenom II X6 that will be targeted at gamers.

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