Alongside a 6-core launch for consumers, in the enterprise segment Intel will start shipping eight-core Nehalem-EX processors this month already. The pending 8-core Xeons will be able to run in four-socket servers and, by leveraging the two threads of each core, the logical CPU count can reach 64 cores on a single system.

This high scalability is complemented by 256KB L2 dedicated cache memory for each core, a shared L3 cache of 24MB and even Turbo Boost technology, which can disable unused cores in order to safely and effectively boost the heavily used ones. The 8-core also has a memory controller with four DDR3 memory channels and is built on the 45nm HKMG process (it is based on the Nehalem architecture).

The 8-cores will make their official debut later this month. In addition, Intel is preparing to formally add its Westmere-EP processors around the same time. These will be based on the 32nm Westmere process and will likely have six cores (aimed at two-socket servers), a 12MB L3 cache and three DDR3 channels.

Hmm, not bad for an overclocking experience ? Intel added a socket LGA-1366 Xeon processor in its lineup today with the W3565. This Nehalem based quad-core processor is made for single-socket servers and workstations.

Comparing apples to apples the specs are nearly identical to the Core i7 960:

* 3.20 GHz (24 x 133 MHz)
* 8 MB of L3 cache
* QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) speed of 4.8 GT/s.

Compared to the W3570 the QPI speed is lower as that one has a QPI of 6.4 GT/s.

And now here’s why that is value … The new W3565 is priced at $562, the W3570 is priced at $999.

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Earlier this year there have been rumors about an upcoming Intel Core i7 960 — well it’s here already.

The processor has a clock frequency of 3.2 GHz and is replacing the recently introduced 3.06 GHz Core i7 950. The all new 960 will cost 562 USD. The Core i7 960 has four physical CPU cores hyper-threaded towards eight, 8MB L3-cache, a 4.8 GT/s QPI link with a 130W TDP.

Nehalem Bloomfield lineup:

Contrary to the Core i7 965 Extreme (which is also clocked at 3.2 GHz / 6.4 GT/s QPI ) this 960 does not have it’s multipliers unlocked hindering overclockers somewhat.

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Intel is set to release the first 32nm desktop CPUs on 3rd January 2010. Releasing first are the Clarkdale CPUs – part of the Westmere, or 32nm Nehalem die shrinks. A total of four models are expected, Core i5 650, 660 and 670, clocking in at 3.2, 3.33 and 3.46 GHz respectively. They will be priced at the $176, $196 and $284 respectively.

The other Clarkdale CPUs are the Core i3 530 and 540 covering $123-$150. The Core i3 CPUs will not feature Turbo mode. A budget Pentium G6950 is also expected at $84, without turbo, HT and 1MB less L3 cache.

Although Fudzilla clearly dates clearly dates the Core i5 Clarkdales at January 3rd, there is no mention of the Core i3 and Pentium models.

All Clarkdale CPUs come with an IGP on die, and fit into the LGA1156 socket that currently powers Lynnfield CPUs. The branding is quite a mess – further complicated by Core i5 7xx series, which are quad core Lynnfields. One might have suggested a simpler Core i7 for Bloomfield, Core i5 for Lynnfield and Core i3 for Clarkdale, but Intel did not want to differentiate them this way.

A further model, Core i5 661 is also expected. The only difference between this and the 660 is that the IGP will be clocked higher.

Once the Core i5/i3 Clarkdale CPUs hit market, it will effectively phase out the entire Core 2 range. AMD will pitch their quad cores against Clarkdale dual core/quad thread CPUs. That will be an interesting battle. Though Intel dominates the >$200 CPU market, AMD do have the better price/performance ratio in the mainstream <$200 segment. We can expect Clarkdale to fill in. It will be interesting to see how two highly-clocked cores of the powerful Westmere architecture go against four of AMD’s aging K10-based cores. One thing is certain – Clarkdales will consume far less power, and will be cheaper for Intel to manufacture. Unfortunately for AMD, we are still a long, long way away from the next-generation Bulldozer architecture.

And the rumors begin about Intel’s next move. After the interesting replacement of the Core i7 940 with the i7 950, many have begun to think that Intel might be slimming down its i7 Line.

According to a post from Bit-Tech this could be in preparation for a Six-Core Nehalem for the 1366 socket. But I have to wonder if this makes sense for Intel.

If you think about it six cores puts them at the same level as AMD’s Istanbul at the top end. Why would Intel want to move in that direction?
It seems more reasonable that a six-core CPU would be in the i5 line and an eight-core CPU will grace the i7.

Granted only time will tell here but I do not see Intel playing the game of core matching with AMD.

I have been informed that Intel announced the Gulftown 6-core Nehalem some time ago as a 32nm CPU due out in 2010. I was incorrect in my assumption that Nehalem would skip over 6 cores and head right to eight.

According to sources close to Intel, the company is planning to release a six-core Nehalem processor in roughly the same timeframe as the big Lynnfield/P55 release scheduled for later this year.

Our sources said that the new chip will drop into existing X58/LGA1366 motherboards with a BIOS update. We’re told that most board manufacturers have already added support, so unless you’re running an outdated BIOS release, there’s no need to worry about whether your board will work with the new chip or not.

Intel is planning on announcing a new server chip early next week and if the early details are correct, it will be an 8-core Xeon.

The event is scheduled to take place on May 26th, and the new processor is codenamed Nehalem-EX. It is expected that this chip will take the place of the six-core Dunnington processor as king of the hill for Intel’s server chips.

There aren’t any speed specs on the chip yet but those should be available early next week when Intel holds their announcement event. All that we know at this point and time is that the chip will be able to execute 16 threads at once, it packs integrated power gates for lower power consumption, and Intel has crammed 2.3 billion transistors inside it.

Intel says that the Nehalem-EX is intended for servers that use more than two processors. At the conference, Intel is expected to discuss how the Nehalem-EX “raises the standard in cost-effective RISC replacement solutions.”

Intel officially expanded the availability of their Nehalem-based Xeon processors today. Even though it was first introduced in the Mac Pro, the processors are now available in a wider-range of products. Seventeen processors have been launched.

These new processors support HyperThreading and a Turbo Boost feature that increases clock speeds and shuts down unused cores, allowing for a serious boost in overall performance.

The Xeon 5500 ranges in price from $188 for the 1.86GHz dual-core to $1,600 for the 3.2GHz quad-core. There is also a Xeon 3500 available in three different models that range from 2.66GHz to 3.2GHz. Pricing for these ranges from $284 to $999. These Xeon processors are now available in Dell Precision systems and the HP Z800.