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.

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.

In this video, Intel engineers from the Technology and Manufacturing Group and computer chip design and test teams show and tell how they helped create Westmere, the codename for the world’s first 32nm (Westmere) microprocessor.

This multichip processor will be available in 2010, and will feature CPU, graphics, memory controller, Intel Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost all on one package.

It’s taken many years (and a $7 billion manufacturing investment) to get these Westmere chips onto silicon, with the Clarkdale (desktop) and Arrandale (notebook) lines expected to start showing up in over-sized cardboard boxes before the end of the year. What’s next for 45nm chips, like those new Lynnfields? A slow fade to obsolescence, as they’re likely to be the last of the breed.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In what one could describe as to be expected, Intel has declared the Gulftown is slated to become the Core i9 series of processors when launched.

(Click the above image for the large version)

The news from INPAI.com.cn follows earlier decisions by Intel to rebrand the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad chips as Core i3 and add confusion to consumers who were actually starting to understand the rebranding when Intel originally shifted to the Core 2 branding years ago. Now while the average enthusiast is going to know what is going on and not be fooled by what is going on here, the average consumer is going to get screwed into thinking Core i3 is something new, much like NVIDIA has done with the the 8800GT.

As long as Intel continues down this road for the future and does NOT rebrand existing products down the road, this could work out in advantage for everyone. Staying the course, everyone would know that Core i3 would a much different chip than Core i9, however surely AMD will change their naming to counteract Intel’s Core i-series branding, much like they did when releasing the Athlon XP’s.