Intel launches Core i7 980X Extreme Edition

Intel Philippines today officially introduced their fastest CPU so far – a six-core (yup, 6!) processor with 12 threads running at a speed of 3.33GHz: that’s the Core i7-980X (codename: Gulftown).

The Core i7 980X replaced the previous i7 975 as the fastest in the Extreme Edition. The EE CPUs are basically targeted to the hard core gamers and businesses that require serious number-crunching processes (3D modeling, video post-production, etc.).

Here’s a screenshot of the Windows Experience Index — it got a sub-score of 7.8 out of max 7.9 with the CPU.

Being the first 6-core CPU from Intel, the 980X also features 12MB of L3 cache, Hyper-threading (12 threads) and Turbo Boost (max: 3.60GHz). Intel had to cram 1.17 billion transistors into a die just 240 square millimeters in size.

And oh, these chips are unlocked out-of-the-box so you can over-clock it ’til you break it. The Core i7 980X does not come cheap and like the Core i7 975, the retail price is pegged at $999 (I expect it to be in the vicinity of Php49,995 in local stores).

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

33 Comments

paulie says:

14 years ago

AMD 1090T IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE, 6 CORE, 12K, SOUNDS GOOD THAN INTEL 17 @50K…
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garz says:

14 years ago

sir yuga saan po ba makakabili ng i7 extreme dito sa pinas?? very few shops here sell that one…
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Tony Te says:

14 years ago

OK so Intel launched this processor in the Philippines. Now, where can I buy this thing? I’ve been to stores in Greenhills and Gilmore and they don’t have it.
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Jes says:

15 years ago

^ the word “vaporware” comes to mind
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Abe Olandres says:

15 years ago

As a matter of perspective — the upcoming nVidia GeForce GTX480 has 480 cores and the GTX470 has 448 cores.
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Jes says:

15 years ago

Overkill? Of course! Like the Ferrari Enzo at $1M, its a showcase product of a company’s over-the-top item.
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Lance says:

15 years ago

Looks like apple just failed to get it exclusive for a few months huh? :D they might go for AMD bulldozer for the MacPro update hehe
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Vergel says:

15 years ago

*drool*
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You Won says:

15 years ago

Yes, right this has a purpose and target consumer. Buy wisely…
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fr0stbyte says:

15 years ago

I think the point here is not the speed.. This is obviously made for multi-threaded capable applications. For servers, video encoding, graphics rendering all those other stuff.
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Frank says:

15 years ago

Yeah, its overkill really. Its just too much speed plus I don’t know what to do with that much speed. I’d rather stay with quad-core too.
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Jhay says:

15 years ago

Unless I do some serious video post-production work at home instead of just top-class gaming, I’d stay away and stick to the quad-cores. More bang for the buck because 49k for a gaming rig? I’d get a PS3 instead.

Using 6 cores while writing your school paper on Word? It’s just overkill. :D
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miharu says:

15 years ago

@Teknisyan
The Intel plant is in Cavite, not laguna
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MobilePinas says:

15 years ago

best processor! love the dogtag :)
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Adrian says:

15 years ago

ganda ng dogtag. :)
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drew says:

15 years ago

WOW… this is an OVERKILL… extreme processor for extreme games and applications..
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laptoper says:

15 years ago

i want those hot tags and that blazing fast cpu. can’t wait for benchmark results
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BrianB says:

15 years ago

Where would you use this kind of machine?

Abe, there’s a Dell 1460 in Villman with Intel i3. Maybe you can review that one, too.
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fr0stbyte says:

15 years ago

Imagine video encoding with this baby! Twelve threads working independently. High-definition encoding and re-encoding would be a cinch! Processor intensive filters will finish in a matter of two hours (compared to the typical 9 hours a Conroe is able to do on one hour of interlaced content). Sarap. Buti na lang they’re planning to release a more affordable rendition clocked at 2.XX. Lower clock speed and locked ang multiplier but who cares?! $500 daw ang price ‘pag narelease na.
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The Teknisyan says:

15 years ago

wow… those are really nice procy!!! These procy… are ideal for gaming, 3d rendering, video editing, authoring and programs that requires that computing muscles from your computer.

I thought intel ph closed shop already.. I guess they only closed the plant in laguna.
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symbiandreamsdotcom says:

15 years ago

Pwedeng Dod Tag na lg ung bibilhin q tapos may free i7 na CPU na? hahah
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Lezuric says:

15 years ago

i just like teh dog tag!
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Jam. says:

15 years ago

Gusto ko yung Dog tag LOL.
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Leo says:

15 years ago

San nman kya mgagamit to? Parang pang server ah.

-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App
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simplynice93 says:

15 years ago

SIX CORE!!! I got to have one of those!
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skagen says:

15 years ago

a six-core processor with 12 threads running at a speed of 3.33GHz: thatâ€™s the Core i7-980X = SWEET!!
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lolipown says:

15 years ago

50K for each of these babies. Can’t wait to see this hum under my new rig
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Carlfinity says:

15 years ago

Sino mag do-donate jan ng 49k? I’ll give you a hug and kiss. hehehe
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Justine says:

15 years ago

WOW. So COOL! :D
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