Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition

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Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition
The Intel Core i7 990X Extreme Edition is based on the 32nm Westmere silicon, it offers an unlocked multiplier and bringing slightly higher clock speeds: 3.4GHz base and a maximum of 3.73GHz when Turbo Boost kicks in. The 990X comes with 12MB of L3 cache, sports a 130W TDP, and requires a socket LGA1366 motherboard.
6
Cores
12
Threads
3.46 GHz
Base Clock
3.73 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1366
Socket
130 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
Release date:Feb 14, 2011Price at Launch:$999
Cores:6Threads:12
Base Clock:3.46 GHzBoost Clock:3.73 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:1.5 MBL3 Cache:12 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:130 W
Socket:Socket LGA 1366Memory Support:DDR3-1066
Codename:GulftownProcess Size:32nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 2.0, 36 Lanes

Reviews and Ratings

84

Average Score

Based on 12 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Extremely fast
  • Offers six processing cores
  • 12 threads
  • Unlocked multiplier eases overclocking
  • Faster than any other consumer desktop CPU
  • Same price as previous chip champ

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Expensive
  • Arriving a bit late in the generation
  • Only slight speed bump over 980X
100

For those who want high end performance to maximise productivity or for gaming with maximum framerates, there is no better CPU than the 990X to pair a high end GPU (or multiple GPUs)...

By HardwareHeaven on
85

Expensive, incremental update of the impressive i7...

By Atomic MPC on
70

We feel a computer-car analogy coming up, as the Core i7 990X is in some ways a lot like a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Intel's straight-six chip is imbued with a 3.73GHz Turbo injection that makes it faster than ever, but like the Super Sport it'll be...

By HEXUS.net on
80

Monstrous. We think that's a fairly apt term for a processor like the Intel Core i7 990X Extreme Edition.It's vast, and possibly a little vulgar, in terms of sheer size, performance and importantly cost.The i7 990X is one of Intel's classic Extreme...

By TechRadar on
80

At $999, the Intel Core i7-990X is unquestionably pricey. But it's the fastest chip you'll find, especially if your business or personal computer use thrives on highly threaded workloads. Buy it...

By PC Mag on
60

We lauded the i7-980X when it launched, as it justified its exorbitant price with its extra pair of cores and better overclocking potential compared with other LGA1366 CPUs. The i7-990X shares these features but enters a changed market, due to Intel's...

By Bit-tech.net on
95

Expensive products, but the performance available is incredible. Well worth the money. Both products earn our highest award, if you have the disposable budget then this should be your next...

By Kitguru.net on
87

The 990X pushes desktop processing to new levels for media creators and editors, but it’s only slightly faster than its predecessor and as extreme as ever on price....

By Computer Shopper on
73

Summing up something like the Core i7-990X is one of the easier tasks.For most of us it's simply a matter of cost, and like all "top range" Intel CPUs it is prohibitively expensive especially when compared to similar models such as the 970, or it's...

By Overclock3D on

1,000 Intel processors through the years Not many things are sure in this life, but fortunately there are a number of things you can count on like clockwork. The sun comes up in the morning, we all have to pay taxes and last but not least, the most...

By uk.hardware.info on

Benchmarking 86 CPUs takes a while. After long last, though, we have 51 models from AMD and 35 from Intel tested in our current suite. If you want to know how your processor sizes up to its competition, you'll find plenty of comparison data inside! 86...

By Tom's Hardware on

This time we'd like to offer you the summarized test results of as many as 71 processors. This generally marks the end of the year, not the end of another test method's life cycle (like the last time). We believe this summary contains all important...

By iXBT Labs on
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