UPDATE: Intel has officially announced the Core-X series processors. More details on them here!
Intel's Core X series processor lineup has just been leaked by Videocardz and shows that the chip giant is preparing their fastest processor to date, the Core i9 7980XE. Featured in the Skylake X CPU family, the new processors rocks the most higher core count ever to be featured on HEDT CPUs.
Intel Core X Family Fully Detailed - Features Core i9-7980XE Processors With Massive 18 Cores, 36 Threads, Guns Aimed at AMD Threadripper
The Intel X299 HEDT platform was fully detailed by us yesterday but it seems like the CPU lineup is more powerful than we previously thought. The Intel Skylake X CPU family has guns aimed directly at AMD's Ryzen Threadripper series processors which comes on the X399 platform and features up to 16 core processors. What is Intel's response you ask? An 18 core, insanely threaded monster of a chip that will be available to consumers very soon on the LGA 2066 socket.
So here's the deal, the Core i9-7920X isn't the fastest CPU in the Skylake X family, it's the Core i9-7980XE (Extreme Edition). There are a total of 9 processors in the lineup, 7 of which are based on the Skylake architecture and 2 of which utilize the Kaby Lake architecture. The lineup details are listed in the table below:
Intel HEDT Processor Families:
| Intel HEDT Family | Sapphire Rapids-X? (Sapphire Rapids Expert) | Alder Lake-X? (Sapphire Rapids Mainstream) | Cascade Lake-X | Skylake-X | Skylake-X | Skylake-X | Broadwell-E | Haswell-E | Ivy Bridge-E | Sandy Bridge-E | Gulftown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 10nm ESF | 10nm ESF | 14nm++ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm | 22nm | 22nm | 32nm | 32nm |
| Flagship SKU | TBA | TBA | Core i9-10980XE | Xeon W-3175X | Core i9-9980XE | Core i9-7980XE | Core i7-6950X | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-4960X | Core i7-3960X | Core i7-980X |
| Max Cores/Threads | 56/112? | 24/48 | 18/36 | 28/56 | 18/36 | 18/36 | 10/20 | 8/16 | 6/12 | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Clock Speeds | ~4.5 GHz | ~5.0 GHz | 3.00 / 4.80 GHz | 3.10/4.30 GHz | 3.00/4.50 GHz | 2.60/4.20 GHz | 3.00/3.50 GHz | 3.00/3.50 GHz | 3.60/4.00 GHz | 3.30/3.90 GHz | 3.33/3,60 GHz |
| Max Cache | 105 MB L3 | 45 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 38.5 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 24.75 MB L3 | 25 MB L3 | 20 MB L3 | 15 MB L3 | 15 MB L3 | 12 MB L3 |
| Max PCI-Express Lanes (CPU) | 112 Gen 5 | 65 Gen 5 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 44 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen3 | 40 Gen2 | 32 Gen2 |
| Chipset Compatiblity | W790? | W790? | X299 | C612E | X299 | X299 | X99 Chipset | X99 Chipset | X79 Chipset | X79 Chipset | X58 Chipset |
| Socket Compatiblity | LGA 4677? | LGA 4677? | LGA 2066 | LGA 3647 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011 | LGA 2011 | LGA 1366 |
| Memory Compatiblity | DDR5-4800? | DDR5-5200? | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2800 | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max TDP | ~500W | ~400W | 165W | 255W | 165W | 165W | 140W | 140W | 130W | 130W | 130W |
| Launch | Q4 2022? | Q4 2022? | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q3 2017 | Q2 2016 | Q3 2014 | Q3 2013 | Q4 2011 | Q1 2010 |
| Launch Price | TBA | TBA | $979 US | ~$4000 US | $1979 US | $1999 US | $1700 US | $1059 US | $999 US | $999 US | $999 US |
Intel Core i9-7980XE - Intel's Flagship Skylake X Processor Featuring 18 Cores, 36 Threads, Beefier Than Ryzen Threadripper Flagship
We have a new flagship and it's a monster in raw specifications. The Intel Core i9-7980XE is Intel's fastest and also the worlds fastest chip, featuring 18 cores, 36 threads and lots of cache in the new rebalanced Intel smart cache hierarchy system. We are looking at 24.75 MB of just L3 and 18 MB of L2 cache which totals 42.75 MB, that's impressive.
The TDP we are looking at is also higher at 165W but in return, we will be looking at some really high clock speeds thanks to Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology. There's full overclocking support, massive 44 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes and full support for overclocking. This monster is the highest core chip we will be getting this year for any HEDT platform and that will definitely come at a really high price point.
Intel Core i9-7960X - Aimed Directly at AMD's 16 Core Ryzen Threadripper CPUs
The Intel Core i9-7960X is the direct answer to AMD's 16 core Ryzen threadripper chip. It comes with 16 cores, 32 threads and features 22 MB of L3 cache. This chip will be featuring a TDP of 165W and will be priced over the $1000 range but it will be interesting to see how this chip competes against AMD's highest core count chip, the rumored Ryzen Threadripper 1998X.
Intel will have to compete in terms of both price and performance but looks like their chips will definitely have an edge with new clock boosting technologies on Skylake X.
Intel Core i9-7940X - 14 Cores, 28 Threads, Do You Need Any More Than That?
The Intel Core i9-7940X is a 14 core, 28 thread chip which just blows away anything that we have seen so far. It features even more cores than the Core i9-7920X which we previously thought to be the flagship chip. Intel is definitely going to bring a very heated battle against Ryzen Threadripper CPUs. The chip will feature 19.25 MB of L3 and 14 MB of L2 cache which accumulates to 33.25 MB cache.
Intel Core i9-7920X - The 12 Core, 24 Threaded Juggernaut With Over 4.0 GHz Clock Speeds
The Intel Core i9-7920X is no longer the flagship of the Skylake X range, but it's still a fast chip. This chip is a juggernaut featuring a total of 12 cores and 24 threads. The total cache on this behemoth is 16.5 MB (L3). Skylake X CPUs will feature a LLC (Last Level Cache) of 1.375 MB (L3) per core and MLC (Mid Level Cache) of 1 MB (L2) per core. So the total cache each core will be able to access is 2.375 MB. So theoretically, we are looking at 28.5 MB of total cache available on the chip which is part of Intel's rebalanced cache hierarchy that not only is going to save space, but also deliver faster performance to improve IPC.
The chip will ship with a TDP of 140W (not 160W as previously indicated) and will feature a quad channel IMC allowing for up to eight DDR4 DIMMs (two per channel) clocked at 2666 MHz (native).
The chip will also feature a total 44 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes which are enough for running a range of multiple discrete GPUs and fast NVMe storage devices. The chip is expected to launch in August, a whole month after the initial lineup hits the market and might cost close to $1500 US as we have seen already with the 10 Core, 20 thread pricing of Broadwell-E Core i7-6950X flagship CPU.
It is also stated that Intel is working on a custom integrated water cooling solution for overclockers which will be either sold with the HEDT chips or separately.
Intel Core i9-7900X - Intel's Massive Multi-Tasking Processor Featuring 10 Cores, 20 Threads
The Intel Core i9-7900X is the 10 Core, 20 thread replacement to the Core i7-6950X. This chip will come with 10 cores, 20 threads but on a new Skylake architecture. The chip will feature a total of 13.75 MB cache, that's 1.375 MB per core. The core clocks are maintained at 3.3 GHz base, 4.3 GHz boost with Intel Turbo 2.0 and 4.5 GHz boost with Intel Turbo 3.0. That's a vast improvement over the current models and the chip will supposedly feature good overclocking capabilities with its TDP of 140W. The chip will have 44 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes.
The chip will be aimed as a fast multi-threaded option for users who cannot afford the Core i9-7920X. It is expected to launch on June 26th for a price close $999 US or beyond. There's a chance that Intel may give Skylake X more competitive pricing based on the fact that Ryzen 7 is already out in the market and AMD is soon going to launch their HEDT X399 processors featuring 8, 12, 16 core processors.
Intel Core i9-7820X - Intel's More Cost Optimized 8 Core, 16 Thread Chip Replacing the Core i7-6900K
The Core i9-7820X will be Intel's cost optimized, under $1000 US variant. It will ship with 8 cores, 16 threads. The chip will be clocked at 3.6 GHz base, 4.3 GHz boost with Turbo 2.0 and 4.5 GHz base with Turbo 3.0. The chip carries 11 MB of L3 cache and will feature 28 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes. This processor is going to feature a TDP of 140W.
The chip will be a replacement for the Core i7-6900K which has been a very popular chip on Intel's current X99 enthusiast platform. The chip will also launch in June and will directly tackle the Ryzen 7 1800X. Although, price wise, it could sell for higher versus 1800X's $499 US market price.
Intel Core i9-7800X - Intel's Most Affordable 6 Core, 12 Thread Option in The Skylake X Family
Lastly, we have the most affordable Skylake X option of the four. Do note that I say Skylake X and not the entire X299 family as there are also Kaby Lake X chips coming to the X299 platform. The Core i9-7800X is going to feature 6 cores, 12 threads and will carry a total of 8.25 MB of L3 cache. Clock speeds for this chip will be maintained at 3.5 GHz base and 4.0 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0.
There's no Turbo Boost 3.0 on this chip but Skylake X has one significant advantage on all chips. The L2 cache has been increased from 256 KB per core to 1 MB per core and that will lead to improvements in overall performance of the system. The chip will feature a TDP of 140W and will be available in June. This part will directly tackle the Ryzen 5 1600X with 6 cores and 12 threads but would likely come at a higher price tag since the AMD part costs $249 US and the Core i7-6800K which the Core i9-7800X was close to $400 US in pricing.
Intel Core X Series Processor Family Specifications:
| CPU Name | i9-7980XE | i9-7960X | i9-7940X | i9-7920X | i9-7900X | i7-7820X | i7-7800X | i7-7740X | i5-7640X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Process | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ |
| Architecture | SKL-X | SKL-X | SKL-X | SKL-X | SKL-X | SKL-X | SKL-X | KBL-X | KBL-X |
| Cores/Threads | 18/36 | 16/32 | 14/28 | 12/24 | 10/20 | 8/16 | 6/12 | 4/8 | 4/4 |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 2.9 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.0 GHz |
| (Turbo Boost 2.0) | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.0 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| (Turbo Boost Max 3.0) | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB | 22 MB | 19.25 MB | 16.5 MB | 13.75 MB | 11 MB | 8.25 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| L2 Cache | 18 MB | 16 MB | 14 MB | 12 MB | 10 MB | 8 MB | 6 MB | 4 MB | 4 MB |
| Memory | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Quad DDR4 | Dual DDR4 | Dual DDR4 |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 16 |
| Socket Type | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 |
| TDP | 165W | 165W | 165W | 140W | 140W | 140W | 140W | 112W | 112W |
| Price | $1999 US | $1699 US | $1399 US | $1189 US | $999 US | $599 US | $389 US | $349 | $242 |
Intel Core i7 7740X Processor Specifications – The Fastest Quad Core Chip
The Intel Core i7 7740X processor will become the fastest Core i7 chip in the Kaby Lake lineup. It will replace the Core i7 7700K with slightly better specs. This chip features a quad core, hyper-threaded design. The chip is based on the latest 14nm+ process node which delivers improved efficiency and performance on the existing 14nm FinFET technology.
The clock speeds are rated 4.2 GHz base and 4.5 GHz boost. The processor packs 8 MB of L3 cache and has a TDP of 112W. There’s no word on the retail price but it should be a bit higher, or if Intel does feel like offering real competition to the Ryzen chips, they could price it the same as the Core i7 7700K while dropping the former in price.
Intel Core i5 7640X Processor Specifications – The Entry Level, Under $300 US HEDT Chip
This chip features a quad core design along with four threads. The chip is based on the latest 14nm+ process node which delivers improved efficiency and performance on the existing 14nm FinFET technology. The clock speeds are rated at 4.0 GHz base, but boost would be beyond 4 GHz. The processor packs 6 MB of L3 cache. The TDP is rated at 112W, just like the Core i7 processor in the Kaby Lake-X family.
Other updates will include support for quad channel memory which will be a good bump over dual channel. The new X299 platform will offer more PCIe lanes from the CPU and PCH. Both quad cores will be pitted against entry level 6 core Ryzen chips as current Intel quad cores provide good overall productivity and gaming performance against the competition.
Intel Kaby Lake-X Lineup
| CPU Name | Intel Core i5-7600K | Intel Core i5-7640X | Intel Core i7-7700K | Intel Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Process | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ | 14nm+ |
| Cores/Threads | 4/4 | 4/4 | 4/8 | 4/8 |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.0 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L3 | 6 MB L3 | 8 MB L3 | 8 MB L3 |
| Memory Support | DDR4 Dual Channel | DDR4 Dual Channel | DDR4 Dual Channel | DDR4 Dual Channel |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 | LGA 2066 | LGA 1151 | LGA 2066 |
| TDP | 91W | 112W | 91W | 112W |
| Price | $242 | $242 | $339 | $339 |
