Intel's rumoured eight-core CPU has a hidden secret

[Archean]

Intel's rumoured eight-core CPU has a hidden secret



First the good news. Finally, belatedly, maybe even grudgingly Intel will unleash an eight-core desktop processor. So say the latest leaks on the interweb. The chip in question is known as Haswell-E. Yup, a derivation of the somewhat maligned (in desktop terms) new Haswell family of CPUs.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Well that was given. Hyper-threading is the new intel thing.

 

[GhostRyder]

So who wants to guess the price of this chip?

 

[Jad Chaar]

So who wants to guess the price of this chip?

Less than $1000. The 3960x is just a higher clocked 3930k + more cache for $500 more. They probably have plenty of profit margin even if the chip was less than $1000 judging from the 3960x.

 

[GhostRyder]

Less than $1000. The 3960x is just a higher clocked 3930k + more cache for $500 more. They probably have plenty of profit margin even if the chip was less than $1000 judging from the 3960x.

If its less than 1000, ill buy you a steak dinner. My prediction is its going to go like this:

6 Core 5-600
8 Core 1000+

 

[cliffordcooley]

I'm guessing they will capitalize on the 2 extra cores. In my opinion Intel would be id-iots not to at least try. You know as well as I do, thats the way the market works.

 

[GhostRyder]

True, but because its probably going to cost a fortune, your not going to see many people with that model of CPU. The other problem im having now is that since haswell runs warm as it is let alone overclocked, how are they going to cool double the core count?

Besides, im still waiting on Ivy Bridge-E, I want to see the power of that 500 dollar model chip because depending on how it performs, I may grab a chip and a 2011 board to go with it. Though im also waiting on steamroller as well to see how things go.

 

[dividebyzero]

Less than $1000. The 3960x is just a higher clocked 3930k + more cache for $500 more. They probably have plenty of profit margin even if the chip was less than $1000 judging from the 3960x.

If the paradigm is performance-per-dollar, then the skies the limit judging by competition. Luckily (relatively) for the consumer, the HEDT segment is stratified in a top-down rather than bottom-up manner, and with the server based Haswell-EX looking at 18 cores (and presuming up to 15 cores for the desktop compatible Haswell-EP as per rumours) pricing may be little changed from what we presently see ($1000-1100) for the top binned non-Xeon.

 

[Jad Chaar]

I think you are right DBZ.

 

[dividebyzero]

I think you are right DBZ.

Desktop parts are nearly always parts unsuitable for server operation, and server parts operate on a fairly strict performance-per-dollar (and in some cases performance per core where licences are based on a per core basis). Sandy Bridge-E is only a 75% functional die whilst Ivy Bridge-E will be 80% functional and prices will reflect that. Strangely enough, considering inflation, there is room in the argument to say that Intel's top binned desktop part is getting cheaper :
12 November 2012...Core i7 3970X...$999 OEM / $1059 boxed
14 November 2011...Core i7 3960X...$999 OEM / $1059 boxed
13 February 2011.....Core i7 990X......$999
16 March 2010..........Core i7 980X.....$999
2 June 2009..............Core i7 975 EE..$999
17 November 2008...Core i7 965 EE..$999
Week 2 March 2008..QX9770............$999
11 November 2007...QX9650.............$999
16 July 2007.............QX6850.............$999
9 April 2007..............QX6800.............$1199
14 November 2006..QX6700.............$999
27 July 2006............X6800................$999