Intel plans Core i7-990X Extreme processor

First information about forthcoming Core i7 Extreme model with processor number i7-990X appeared in June of this year. More details about the CPU were reported by Fudzilla in the second half of August. Today Intel published boxed part number and S-Spec number for the Core i7-990X, confirming impending release of this model.

The Core i7-990X will be the third six-core model for the consumer market after Core i7-980X and Core i7-970 microprocessors. The 990X doesn't come with any new features, and, with the exception of higher core and Turbo Boost frequency, the new model is similar to Core i7-980X. The i7-990X belongs to Westmere group of families. Like all Westmere microprocessors, it uses 32nm manufacturing process, and is built on Nehalem micro-architecture. The processor has 6 cores clocked at 3.46 GHz. Each core comes with 256 KB L2 cache, and all cores share large 12 MB L3 cache. Clock multiplier on this CPU is unlocked. The Core i7-990X incorporates numerous Westemere features: AES and SSE4 instructions, and Virtualization. The CPU also has HyperThreading feature, which allows it to execute 12 threads at once. Another advanced feature in this processor is Turbo Boost technology, that can bump CPU frequency up to 3.73 GHz at times when maximum performance is required. The processor fits 130 Watt thermal envelope, and is manufactured in socket 1366-compatible package. OEM microprocessors have AT80613005931AA part number, and boxed CPUs use BX80613I7990X part number. Both OEM and boxed processors will be produced with the same S-Spec number SLBVZ. According to Fudzilla, the Core i7-990X Extreme will be launched in the first quarter 2011 priced at $999.