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The Latest Gulftown Info (Intel's upcoming 32nm 6-core processor)

VirtualRain

VirtualRain

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 1, 2008
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Vancouver, BC
Here's the latest on Gulftown...

corei7_980x_slide.jpg


corei7_desktop_roadmap_2010.jpg


Without further ado, the official name of Intel’s flagship 32nm desktop chip is Core i7 Extreme 980X. News of the confirmation comes from Chinese-based site PCOnline.com.cn which claims to have an official revised Intel roadmap in its hands. Judging by the image, the roadmap does seem valid and official with an “Intel Core i7” logo slapped above the X58 architecture layout image. On another note, the site states that the new flagship desktop chip will run at 3.33GHz, which basically makes it a Core i7 Extreme 975 with all the quirks of the 32nm Westmere family architecture and two additional cores.
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:eek: I wasn't expecting clocks that high! :D

As an Extreme Edition chip, the Core i7 Extreme 980X 3.33GHz will likely be priced at $999.
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several sites have stated that the flagship desktop processor will be launching in March 2010, otherwise known as late Q1 2010
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Possibly an exclusive early launch in Feb. for Apple?

Source

There's also some early clock-for-clock benchmarks from ES sample chips here if you missed them...
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/825191/

Update: Latest info...

We got a few additional details on Intel's first desktop six core CPU codenamed Gulftown. This is Intel's first six-core developed in 32nm Westmere architecture and it will be clocked at 3.33GHz.

This is the same frequency as Core i7 975 and even the Turbo clock on these two CPUs is same, as Core i7 980X will overclock to 3.6GHz. Its QPI speed is set to a well known 6.4GB/sec and the CPU can take care of twelve threads via its support for Hyperthreading.

We already wrote that good old socket 1366 should be enough to fit this six core CPU and one disappointing part of the spec is that triple channel memory is again limited to 1066MHz memory, at least officially.

The CPU has 12MB of cache and a TDP of 130W. According to the latest information we got, it should debut in Intel's March price list for $999.

Despite being listed for the price list in March, it doesn’t mean that end users will be able to get one.
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Processors as far as Mac Pros are concerned:
Code: 
X5680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core 
X5670 2.93GHz  95W 6-core
X5660 2.80GHz  95W 6-core
X5650 2.66GHz  95W 6-core
L5640 2.26GHz  60W 6-core

X5677 3.46GHz 130W 4-core
X5667 3.06GHz  95W 4-core
E5640 2.66GHz  80W 4-core
E5630 2.53GHz  80W 4-core
E5620 2.40GHz  80W 4-core

W3680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core
 
Like I've said before, 2010 isn't going that surprising. Even Lynnfield is set for the next year until Sandy Bridge is out.
 
Umbongo said:
Processors as far as Mac Pros are concerned:
Code: 
X5680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core 
X5670 2.93GHz  95W 6-core
X5660 2.80GHz  95W 6-core
X5650 2.66GHz  95W 6-core
L5640 2.26GHz  60W 6-core

X5677 3.46GHz 130W 4-core
X5667 3.06GHz  95W 4-core
E5640 2.66GHz  80W 4-core
E5630 2.53GHz  80W 4-core
E5620 2.40GHz  80W 4-core

W3680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core
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I like the sounds of a 3.46GHz quad core! :D
 
Anyone care to guess how these will translate in actual Mac Pro prices for the various configurations?
 
Umbongo said:
Processors as far as Mac Pros are concerned:
Code: 
X5680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core 
X5670 2.93GHz  95W 6-core
X5660 2.80GHz  95W 6-core
X5650 2.66GHz  95W 6-core
L5640 2.26GHz  60W 6-core

X5677 3.46GHz 130W 4-core
X5667 3.06GHz  95W 4-core
E5640 2.66GHz  80W 4-core
E5630 2.53GHz  80W 4-core
E5620 2.40GHz  80W 4-core

W3680 3.33GHz 130W 6-core
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I don't understand why we get new threads on this issue every week. I don't see any substantial new information in this. It is nice that Umbongo has taken the time to list the new parts.

I'm pretty confident that there will be a 3,46 GHz W5690 Xeon. The 5680 should also be W spec considering the TDP. The Xeon parts are expected to have higher RAM clocks.

I'm inclined to believe that Apple will give the 56X7 series a pass. And as previously stated I think that Apple's hexad will top out at the 3670. They will tie up all of Apple's early production that no parts are available for the public launch.
 
The X5680 is likely going to be a little on the pricey side, at ~$1600USD I'd think, given the cost increase of the current Nehalem SP vs. DP parts (same clocks). No idea how the rest of the parts will stack up though, and it could be a little higher, given the additional pair of cores per die.
 
gugucom said:
I'm pretty confident that there will be a 3,46 GHz W5690 Xeon. The 5680 should also be W spec considering the TDP. The Xeon parts are expected to have higher RAM clocks.
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No doubt released with a 3.6GHz quad core some months after and the slower clocked single core parts will probably be sometime before that. This is Intel's strategy usually. The missing W does remove an air of authenticity from the original source, plus I'm curious why the quads are rumoured to have 12mb cache when it is expensive. Unless it is cheaper when it comes to overall manufacturing or they have dead cores, though both seem unlikely. With Intel holding the 5500 specifications and pricing very close to their chest, we may not see confirmed or real details until much nearer the time.
 
My guess will be that they are direct replacements for the current lineup. Same GHz but just add 2 cores at the same price.
 
psingh01 said:
My guess will be that they are direct replacements for the current lineup. Same GHz but just add 2 cores at the same price.
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Kinda hard to do with a new process, as they have to pay for it. :eek: :p

From a technical standpoint, fairly easy to do given the shrink.
 
Tutor said:
Subject to seeing the real pricing structure, I think I'd rather wait a few months after intro and look for a refurbished 12 core 2.26GHz after someone else has enjoyed the new Mac smell; then mods away and use the factory chips in new overclocked hackintoshes. Quiet! Quiet! I think I've heard this tune before.
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I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
 
So would it be possible to toss ( using that word with some understanding it wont be that easy :) ) one of these new processors in my 09 machine? or would that be a complete waste of time and money haha..

I hate reading about the '10 Line Up.. I think about how long it's taken me to be build my machine, and now this comes out.
 
vogelhausdesign said:
So would it be possible to toss ( using that word with some understanding it wont be that easy :) ) one of these new processors in my 09 machine? or would that be a complete waste of time and money haha..

I hate reading about the '10 Line Up.. I think about how long it's taken me to be build my machine, and now this comes out.
Click to expand...

I remember my first computer and how it was out of date so quickly! :p ;)

It would be a drop-in replacement if Apple provides a firmware update for us with the new microcode. :rolleyes:
 
nanofrog said:
Larabee's out too. At least as it was envisioned.
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I think I'll be stuck with my Core i5 750 for some time. Not that it's a bad thing. :p

2010 looks like a year to save up for 2011 hardware. Late 2009 (Lynnfield/ATI HD 5000) looks like the standard for some time. AMD has Thuban and their 800 Series chipset. I'm eagerly awaiting updates on those.
 
VirtualRain said:
It would be a drop-in replacement if Apple provides a firmware update for us with the new microcode. :rolleyes:
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Not likely though. :rolleyes: :apple:

Eidorian said:
I think I'll be stuck with my Core i5 750 for some time. Not that it's a bad thing. :p
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So long as it does what you need, none at all. :D

Eidorian said:
2010 looks like a year to save up for 2011 hardware. Late 2009 (Lynnfield/ATI HD 5000) looks like the standard for some time. AMD has Thuban and their 800 Series chipset. I'm eagerly awaiting updates on those.
Click to expand...
Yep. Even if a system is needed now, I'd think a refurb or used system would make sense, and save funds when something better comes along.

And I'd like to see what AMD can come up with as well. :)
 
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