Specifications of Intel's upcoming HEDT Haswell-E platform which includes the flagship Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition processor have been unveiled. The Intel Haswell-E High-End desktop platform will be aimed towards the high-performance enthusiasts and overclockers.

Intel Haswell-E Core i7-5960X, Core i7-5930K, Core i7-5820K Specifications Unveiled

The Intel Haswell-E processor lineup would include three SKUs, the Core i7-5960X, Core i7-5930K and Core i7-5820K. All processors are built on the 22nm Haswell architecture which means that they will improve the IPC performance while keeping the same power limits as previous generation processors due to enhanced power efficiency of the Haswell microarchitecture. Before moving into the feature set of the platform itself, we will detail the SKUs that will be launching in Q3 2014 (September 2014):

Intel Core i7-5960X Processor

The Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition would be the flagship processor of the lineup boasting 8 Cores and 16 threads. This would be Intel's first 8 Core consumer processor and would be clocked at 3.0 GHz base and 3.3 GHz boost frequency. The processor would feature 20 MB of L3 cache, 140W TDP and support for DDR4-2133 MHz memory. Being the flagship processor of the Haswell-E lineup, the Core i7-5960X would end up with a price of $999 US. While there have been rumors that the pricing would be higher than previous generations, Im almost certain that Intel will keep their pricing structure of the HEDT lineup same as previous generation Sandy Bridge-E and Ivy Bridge-E processors.

Intel Core i7-5930K Processor

The Core i7-5930K would be the second best processor of the flock featuring 6 cores and 12 threads. Featuring a clock speed of 3.5 GHz base and around 3.9 - 4.0 GHz boost, the Core i7-5930K would integrate 15 MB L3 Cache and a TDP of 140W. The processor would be able to support DDR4-2133 MHz memory. From specifications, the Core i7-5930K looks a lot like the current generation Core i7-4960X processor however we are looking at better IPC due to the improved Haswell microarchitecture. Pricing is suggested close to the $550 US range.

Intel Core i7-5820K Processor

The Core i7-5820K would be the entry level processor of the lineup featuring 6 cores and 12 threads. The CPU comes with a 15 MB L3 Cache, 3.3 GHz base clock, 3.6-3.8 GHz boost clock, 140W TDP and support for DDR4-2133 MHz memory. Being similar to the Core i7-5930K in terms of technical specifications aside from the clock speeds, the Core i7-5820K might just become an attractive processor for the X99 chipset platform since it will be priced around a lower range of $300 - $350 US.

Intel Haswell-E Processors lineup Specifications:

Model Intel Core i7-5960X Intel Core i7-5930K Intel Core i7-5820K Intel Core i7-4960X Platform Haswell-E Haswell-E Haswell-E Ivy Bridge-E Process 22nm 22nm 22nm 22nm Cores/Threads 8/16 6/12 6/12 6/12 Cache 20 MB L3 15 MB L3 15 MB L3 15 MB L3 Core Clock 3.0/3.3 GHz 3.5/3.9-4.0 GHz 3.3/3.6-3.8 GHz 3.6/4.0 GHz Socket LGA 2011-3 LGA 2011-3 LGA 2011-3 LGA 2011 TDP 140W 140W 140W 130W Memory DDR4-2133 MHz DDR4-2133 MHz DDR4-2133 MHz DDR3-1600 MHz Chipset X99 X99 X99 X79

Meet The Wellsburg-X “X99″ Enthusiasts Chipset

Ofcourse, the platform would require a new platform control hub or PCH. Intel is preparing their latest Wellsburg-X chipset that would power the next generation HEDT platform featuring 14 USB ports (6 USB 3.0 and 8 USB 2.0), 10 SATA 6GBps ports, integrated clock support, 8×1 PCIe 2.0, Clarksville GbE PHY and the Realtek Audio Codec.The chip has a max TDP of 6.5W and measures 23x22mm which is larger than the X79 chipset.

First Desktop Platform To Feature DDR4 Memory Support

Coming to the memory controller, yes, Intel’s Haswell-E is officially the first HEDT platform to feature support for DDR4 memory. The DDR4 memory controller lies on the processor itself through which it is directly connected. The new DDR4 memory modules consume only 1.2 V of power compared to 1.65/1.5V standard with DDR3. The can feature upto 16 banks of memory and require a 288-Pin DIMM connectors which would be available on the new X99 chipset motherboards. The DDR4 memory controller offers Quad channel memory support. DDR4 would offer faster clock speeds and the Haswell-E platform supports frequencies o 2133 MHz, 2667 MHz O.C +.

LGA 2011-3 Socket Supports Haswell-E Processors

Intel is also preparing the latest LGA2011-3 socket which has similar dimensions but a different ILM key pattern which allows only for Haswell-E processor compatibility. Intel adds compatibility for both their Channel DRX-B Liquid cooler and T-HPHS air cooler with the LGA 2011-3 socket for Haswell-E processors.

Better Overclocking Support For Overclockers

Just like Haswell and Ivy Bridge-E before it, Haswell-E would retain the great overclocking features that would ship with the “K” series and “Extreme Edition” processors. Both the memory and processor can be overclocked beyond limits with unlocked turbo limits, unlocked core ratios in 80/100 increments, programmable iVR voltage, support for XMP mode, unlocked memory controller and voltage limits, native support for memory upto 2667 MHz, Unlocked PCH and PLL voltage controls and more. A single Haswell-E processor would feature 2 x16 and 3 x8 Gen 3 PCI-e support with 40 lanes and would be directly connected to the DDR4 memory controller and the Wellsburg X99 chipset. The feature set would remain the with technologies such as SSE4, AVX, VT, AESNI under its belt.