Leaked details of Intel's Core i7-980X Processor

You'd think we were on the verge of an old-school Macworld Expo Keynote with all the rumors about this morning. Chinese site PCOnline.com.cn has spilled the beans on Intel's forthcoming Core i7-980x Processor. We're guessing that this processor could reside in future Mac Pros.
Code-named "Gulftown" the 32nm, six-core i7-980X will be labeled as the i7x ("Extreme Edition"), not the i9 as many expected. It will be the first dual-socket, six-core processor from Intel. The image reveals that, with 6 cores and 12 threads, a dual-configured, i7-980X Mac Pro will sport 12 physical cores and 24 logical cores. Expect a top frequency of 3.33GHz.
It's a guess as to if and when these processors will appear in Mac Pros, so we'll keep our eyes peeled. That's going to be one nasty machine.
Earlier this month, the the quad-core Mac Pro was updated to include a 3.33 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor.
[Via HardMac]
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You'd think we were on the verge of an old-school Macworld Expo Keynote with all the rumors about this morning. Chinese site...
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Re: the use in the Mac Pro - how's about "no"?
Given that the W5590 they just added runs on faster memory (1333 vs 1066) and has a dual-QPI interconnect vs. the 980X's single link, it's pretty unlikely that you'll see this in a Mac Pro.
Maybe in the "Mythical" X-mac Tower? Or a future iMac model perhaps? I'd be compelled to buy one if the iMac came with on of these.
I gotta tell you, Intel's iX lines are truly bad-ass. They're completely changing the way power consumption is handled on modern day computers.
So what will become of the i9; any word on that yet?
Does anyone know if I will be able to drop one of these Gulftown chips into my 1year old X58so motherboard? If so, I will be a Giddy geek.
Aw damn! never mind. It's right there in the pic. Bios update needed.
December 15 2009 at 12:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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