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Intel is set to release a six-core processor within less than two weeks, according to Cnet sources at server vendors. The new 45nm chip is Intel’s first foray beyond four cores and also the first multi-core design from the company to have a monolithic design – meaning all six cores will be on a single die.

Previously codenamed Dunnington, the new server chip should start shipping on September 15 as the Xeon 7400 series, featuring 16MB of shared L3 cache and is expected to be socket compatible with the Xeon 7300. The design is the last of the Penryn-class before the company moves to its Nehalem architecture later this year, which will adopt the company’s new Core i7 branding.