Six-core, 12-threaded Intel Gulftown CPU let loose at IDF 2009

by Tarinder Sandhu on 24 September 2009, 06:44

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

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Intel's recent introduction of Core i5 and Core i7 chips, based on the Lynnfield architecture, has been met with general acclaim. Essentially a scaled-down version of the Bloomfield core that constitutes the 9xx-series of Core i7 chips, Lynnfield sales will make up the majority of mid-priced PC sales in 2010, we reckon.

Mainstream appeal is attractive as it brings in the bulk of the revenue, but a halo product does much for a company's image, especially with enthusiasts.

Whipping out the client roadmap for 2009 and 2010, we see that Intel plans on releasing a high-end desktop chip known as Gulftown.



We saw a fully-working Gulftown system at this year's IDF. For those that need a little reminder, Gulftown is a 32nm-based chip that uses the Westmere architecture. The smaller, more-power-efficient process enables Intel to increase the core count from a four execution units to six whilst remaining within the 130W TDP. The hexa-core Gulftown is otherwise identical to present quad-core Bloomfield (Core i7 9xx), although Intel is rather coy in explaining the chip's supporting cache arrangement. Our bet is on 12MB of shard L3.

Intel's representatives stated that a BIOS update is all that is needed to ensure Gulftown operation on current LGA1366-based X58 chipsets.

The six-core, 12-threaded CPU will do core-to-core battle against AMD's also-six-core Thuban chip, to be released in 2010. Perhaps more relevant to the workstation market, we're keen to see who buys Gulftown, 'cause it ain't going to be cheap. Would you buy a six-core chip? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the HEXUS.community.

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HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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I'd pay a premium for more cores. Useful for me (scientific research). However, if Intel simply releases a 6 core ‘core i7’ at a higher price I'm not interested. I mean, i7 had been around for ages, thus should become cheaper as new CPUs arrive… BUT! 6 core i7 920 for £200? I'm in!! :)
hexus
The six-core, 12-threaded CPU will do battle against AMD's also-six-core Thuban chip, to be released in 2010.
You sure? I would have put Thuban down as a competitor to Lynnfield.

Jasper Forest is the architecture I most want, but I suspect they'll never release a desktop version.
I would definately consider it as an upgrade after my i7 920. Depending on price & speed of course. :)
/me smells a vmware upgrade :P
Considering the vast majority of my processor usage still fails to task a single core, I probably won't be bothering! On the other hand, if the data analysts at work ever move to a reasonably multi-threaded application (rather than SPSS!) I could well be talking my boss into shelling out on some new analysis machines (much needed since everyone's still using P4 based workstations…).