3.46GHz

Intel's current top processor, the Core i7 980X, will be replaced by a badder, quicker six core CPU in the last quarter of this year, according to rumor. The i7-990X will have six cores at a blazing 3.46GHz stock speed. Talk about quick.

Even with all that mass of processing power, the TDP will not break 130W. The chip's cache will remain the same as the 980X: which is a 12MB L3 and a 6x 256Kb L2.

The 990X should lay waste to the top-end Thubans, unless AMD comes out with a big surprise. But, as price-for-performance goes, AMD's Thuban six core CPUs are currently in good shape on the market. This new top-end Intel chip will push the price of the few other consumer desktop six core CPUs that Intel offers, the Core i7 980X, 980, and 970 (which could fall into a price point just over $300 USD).

Being a flagship extreme processor, don't expect this to sell for less than a $1000 USD at first.