Intel Unveils 12-18 Core Details For X-Series Processor Specifications

Intel has just dropped some solid information on their upcoming Core X-Series of processors, which are designed for the high end enthusiast market. While Intel’s new offerings are sporting higher boost clocks than AMD ThreadRipper processor series, they aren’t offering 64 PCI-E lanes, even on the Intel Core i9-7980XE Extreme Edition that runs $1,999. The Intel Core i9-7980X is an 18-core, 36, thread processor with 24.75MB L3 cache and a base clock of 2.6Ghz with a maximum Intel Turbo Boost Technology 3.0 clock of 4.4GHz. This $1,999 processor has a 165W TDP and supports 44 PCIe lanes like most of the X-Series processors starting with the Intel Core i7-7820X at $599.

The Intel Core i9-7960X, with it’s 16 Cores and 32 threads, would seem best positioned against ThreadRipper 1950X, though the AMD offering comes in at a $700 lower MSRP. With August and September releases for the various SKU’s, the Core X-Series should be readily available for this Christmas season. Statements from Intel’s press release with more information on the upcoming Core X-Series are below. Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on the specs and pricing structure of Intel’s new Core X-Series.

“Today, Intel is releasing the specifications for the 12- to 18-core processors: Intel Core i9-7920X, Intel Core i9-7940X, Intel Core i9-7960X and the Extreme Edition Intel Core i9-7980XE processors. Announced at Computex 2017, the Intel Core X-series processor family is the most powerful, scalable and accessible high-end desktop platform¹ offered by Intel, designed to deliver the performance needed to meet extreme computing demands for virtual reality (VR), content creation, gaming and overclocking.

The new X-series processor family is the ultimate platform for content creators and gamers. Multitasking becomes extreme mega-tasking with simultaneous, compute-intensive, multithreaded workloads aligned in purpose, powered by up to 18 cores and 36 threads. And, with up to 68 PCIe 3.0 lanes on the platform, people have the ability to expand their systems with fast SSDs, up to four discrete GFX cards and ultrafast Thunderbolt 3 solutions.

Content creators can expect up to 20 percent better performance for VR content creation²and up to 30 percent faster 4K video editing³ over the previous generation. This means less time waiting and more time designing new worlds and experiences. Gamers and enthusiasts will experience up to 30 percent faster extreme mega-tasking for gaming⁴ over the previous generation.”

“The 12-core Intel Core X-series processor will be available starting on Aug. 28, and 14- to 18-core Intel Core X-series processors will be available starting Sept. 25. The 4- to 10-core Intel Core X-series processors are already on shelves and available at multiple retailers, along with more than 200 Intel X299 Chipset motherboards.”

For more information, check out this press release from Intel.