Intel has released a new eight-core chip intended for high-end desktop systems. The Intel Core i7-5960 processor Extreme Edition (known as Haswell-E in the development phase) runs at 3GHz and comes with 20MB of Level 3 cache. The eight cores support 16 software threads.
Intel makes no secret of the fact that the new chip, which will sell for US$ 999, is targeted for the high-end gaming market and “enthusiasts who push their systems further than anyone.” The system is designed to run cool and to support extensive overclocking to scale up performance. According to Alienware General Manager Frank Azor, “Using new overclocking and monitoring features in Alienware Command Center 4.0, we’ve been able to really push the processors to the fullest extent and are seeing impressive overclocking headroom. This new Intel processor lineup is the perfect choice for gamers who demand the absolute best performance from their systems.”
Despite the initial emphasis on gaming, new technologies in the Intel Core i7-5960 could also benefit professional users in complex modeling and graphics scenarios. And, as always, the trend toward bigger and faster could eventually work its way back to the general computing market as new applications and components arise to make use of the expanded capabilities.