Intel launches Xeon 5600 series and Core i7-990X CPUs

One week ago we published a story regarding refresh of quad-core and six-core Xeon microprocessors from 5600 series, coming on February 14. As expected, today Intel updated Xeon 5600 family with 9 new microprocessors, and introduced non-embedded version of Xeon E5645. Also today, Intel launched Core i7-990X, new flagship CPU with unlocked clock multiplier for computer enthusiasts, and Xeon W3690 for single-socket workstations.

Intel Xeon 5600 refresh includes a mix of processors from budget E560x parts, and up to high performance "X56xx" SKUs. Three budget models come with 4 cores, no HyperThreading, and 80 Watt Thermal Design Power. These CPUs are priced in the $200 - $300 range. Mainstream models, E5645 and E5649, add two cores and HyperThreading, and, consequently, they are priced much higher, from $550 to $800. The last of group of Intel Xeons are 5 performance "X" models. These chips are clocked from 2.93 GHz to 3.6 GHz, that is significantly higher than budget and mainstream 5600s, and feature from 4 to 6 cores and HyperThreading. The X56xx Xeons are priced accordingly to their performance, from about $800 to $1663.

The only consumer CPU, launched today, is Intel Core i7-990X. This six-core part is clocked at 3.46 GHz, which is one bin higher than the previous top Extreme i7-980X model. Besides unlocked multiplier, this microprocessor is almost identical to Xeon W3690. Official price for both Core i7-990X and W3690 processors is the same - $999.

Specifications of newly released processors are provided in the table below. All models are compatible with socket 1366.

Model	Cores	Threads	Frequency	L3 cache	TDP	Price
Core I7-990X	6	12	3.46 GHz	12 MB	130 Watt	$999
Xeon W3690	6	12	3.46 GHz	12 MB	130 Watt	$999
Xeon E5603	4	4	1.6 GHz	4 MB	80 Watt	$188
Xeon E5606	4	4	2.13 GHz	8 MB	80 Watt	$219
Xeon E5607	4	4	2.26 GHz	8 MB	80 Watt	$276
Xeon E5645	6	12	2.4 GHz	12 MB	80 Watt	$551
Xeon E5649	6	12	2.53 GHz	12 MB	80 Watt	$774
Xeon X5647	4	8	2.93 GHz	12 MB	130 Watt	$774
Xeon X5672	4	8	3.2 GHz	12 MB	95 Watt	$1440
Xeon X5675	6	12	3.06 GHz	12 MB	95 Watt	$1440
Xeon X5687	4	8	3.6 GHz	12 MB	130 Watt	$1663
Xeon X5690	6	12	3.46 GHz	12 MB	139 Watt	$1663

Update (Feb 14): Xeon W3690 processor, that was also released today, was added to the story.