Intel has just released its six-core flagship processor Core i7-990X Extreme Edition quietly.The newly-release processor will most probably replace Core i7-980X Extreme Edition,which was based on 32nm manufacturing process having 12MB L3 cache and clocked at 3.33GHz.

Compared with Core i7-980X,Core i7-990X Extreme Edition’s clock speed increases to 3.46GHz,and its Turbo Boost frequency can reach up to 3.73GHz.Apart from above mentioned factors,there is not much difference between them.

Core i7-980X Extreme Edition is priced at around US$999.Intel says Hardcore multitaskers can now rejoice and fly through everything  on their PC.

PCs based on the Intel® Core™ i7-990X processor Extreme Edition deliver incredible performance with a rich feature set.

Intel® Core™ i7-990X processor Extreme Edition Specs

• 3.46 GHz core speed
• Up to 3.73 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
• 6 cores and 12 processing threads with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
• 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache
• 3 Channels DDR3 1066 MHz memory
• 32nm manufacturing process technology

Beside rolling out the 990X, Intel also adjusted the price tags of two of its LGA1366 CPUs, the 3.2 GHz i7-960 and i7-970.The 960, which is a 45nm part with four cores (8 threads) and 8MB of L3 cache, has went down from $562 to $294, matching the new Core i7-2600, while the 970, with its six cores and 12MB L3 cache, has dropped down to $583 which was previously available for $885.

The i7-990X is expected to be the last Gulftown CPU developed, to be replaced by the Sandy Bridge ‘E’ platform (code-named Patsburg), which will use the new LGA2011 socket .