Intel Lifts i7 to 3.46 GHz, Xeon 5000 to 3.60 GHz

Intel quietly introduced a few new processors and reduced the price of some other CPUs, including the top range of its desktop mainstream products.

New in the lineup is the 6-core i7-990X, which elevates the desktop high-end portfolio to a clock speed of 3.46 GHz. The processor is priced at $999, the same as the 980X (3.33 GHz). The price of the i7-970 (6 cores, 3.2 GHz) was reduced by 34% from $885 to $583 and the i7-960 (4 cores, 3.2 GHz) dropped by 48% to $294 which indicates that this chip will soon appear in the $800 - $900 class of desktop PCs.

Intel did not touch the mobile processor lineup, but added 12 new processor to the Xeon 5000 and 3000 series. The new flagship model of the 5000 series is the X5690 (6 cores, 12 MB cache, 130 watts TDP 3.46 GHz), which is sold for a tray price of $1663. Also new are the X5675 (6 cores, 3.06 GHz, 95 watts) for $1440, the E5649 (6 cores, 80 watts, 2.53 GHz) for $774 and the E5645 (6 cores, 2.4 GHz, 80 watts) for $551. Intel added the following CPUs to the quad-core range:

E5607 (80 watts, 2.26 GHz, $276)
E5606 (80 watts, 2.13 GHz, $219)
E5603 (80 watts, 1.60 GHz, $188)
X5687 (130 watts, 3.60 GHz, $1663)
X5672 (95 watts, 3.20 GHz, $1440)
X5667 (95 watts, 3.06 GHz, $1440)
X5647 (130 watts, 2.93 GHz, $774)

New in the 3000-series is only the W3690 (6 cores, 130 watts, 3.46 GHz) for $999. The price of the W3670 (6 cores, 130 watts, 3.20 GHz) was reduced by 34% to $583 and the W3565 (4 cores, 3.20 GHz) dropped 48% to $294.

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3

Spanky Deluxe , February 16, 2011 3:42 AM

Hmmm... the i7-970 suddenly looks far more attractive. I may consider replacing my i7-920 with one come pay day depending on how these price drops translate to UK prices.
2

saaiello , February 16, 2011 4:15 AM

This is simply Intel trying to sell off all there old stock and that's it. This is no different then if you went into a supermarket and they have certain brand of yogurt or something really cheap. They want to sell off as much as they can before they take a loss. I mean seriously do you think that the 990x is any different then the 980x I doubt it. Change some speeds around and push a lower price to sell off stuff that will be going out of date soon.

Now I am not saying any of these chips are bad or are crap its simply sell the back stock off to make room for new product it is simple economics.
1

Wish I Was Wealthy , February 22, 2011 5:45 PM

Maybe not part of this thread,but I will mention it anyway...I went to several stores in the Sydney area of Australia in person...I went to MSY at Auburn & asked what would happen if I bought a faulty cougar chipset P67 mainboard & they said that if there is a fault within the 1 year warranty period that they will take care of it only then...If the fault occurs outside that 1 year period that I could do nothing about it and not even return it for a new one even if Asus or Gigabyte says that they will replace the old faulty one with a new non faulty board...Virtually across the road I went to PC DIY & they said that I could buy a faulty cougar chipset P67 board now & when the non faulty boards come in,I can return the old board & get a new board revision as a replacement there & then or wait longer if I want...How is that,a bigger PC retailer that has got many stores around Australia gives you a hard time while one that is a fifth or less of it's size welcomes you...

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