Intel today restructured its high-end LGA1366 Core i7 processor lineup for the better. To begin with, it "released the Kraken" with Core i7-990X Extreme Edition, a new high-end six-core processor based on the 32 nm Westmere silicon. The 990X comes with an unlocked BClk multiplier, and carries nominal clock speed of 3.46 GHz. The Core i7-990X Extreme Edition displaces the existing i7-980X Extreme Edition from its US $999 price-point, which will be gradually phased out.



The non-XE Core i7-970 six-core chip received a welcome price-cut, it will soon be priced at $583 from its current $880. Apart from the six-core leviathans, the quad-core Core i7-960, which is clocked at 3.20 GHz, is now priced at $294, displacing i7-950, and providing an alternative to Core i7-2600K, which is effectively MIA till the LGA1155 chipset issue is resolved.

Related News