Intel will be launching their Broadwell-E family of HEDT processors for the X99 platform in Q2 2016 that has already been listed for pre-order NCIX US. The retailer has listed down the four chips that will be part of the Intel Broadwell-E family which include the flagship Core i7-6950X and the rest of the lineup that consists of Intel's Core i7-6900K, Core i7-6850K and Core i7-6800K chips.
The Intel HEDT family is the only enthusiast lineup with quad channel memory support!
Intel Broadwell-E Core i7-6950X, Core i7-6900K, Core i7-6850K and Core i7-6800K CPUs Listed For Pre-Order
The Broadwell-E processors are coming to the X99 platform soon and now we know their codenames too. Last week, we updated that the specifications are clear and set in the stone. The Broadwell-E family is based on the same process and architecture which we saw recently on the Broadwell-EP processors that incorporate several billion transistors under the hood. In the official launch post, we covered that the Broadwell-EP parts were based off three different dies.
The listings over at NCIX reveal that the processors are available but currently not in stock. We did see the Intel Broadwell-EP chips showing up at retail stores months before their release and were listed along with the prices on sites such as eBay. Same is the case here however Intel is a little strict with the Broadwell-E launch as we are yet to see any pictures or benchmarks of the retail or ES Broadwell-E chips.
NCIX lists down the Core i7-6800K for $629.99 US, the Core i7-6850K for $889.99 US, the Core i7-6900K for $1495.99 US and the Core i7-6950X for $2349.99 US. Now I need to make one thing clear is that these are not the final prices are merely pre-order prices. The actual MSRP for Intel Broadwell-E chips will be significantly lower. This isn't the first time we have seen inflated prices for products that show up on pre-order. The listing over on NCIX US is as follows:
- Intel Core i7-6950X - BX80671I76950X ($2349.99 US)
- Intel Core i7-6900K - BX80671I76900K ($1495.99 US)
- Intel Core i7-6850K - BX80671I76850K ($889.99 US)
- Intel Core i7-6800K - BX80671I76800K ($629.99 US)
The pricing specific to re-sellers is listed below (via Anandtech):
- Intel Core i7-6950X – BX80671I76950X ($1609.37 US)
- Intel Core i7-6900K – BX80671I76900K ($1024.70 US)
- Intel Core i7-6850K – BX80671I76850K ($602.11 US)
- Intel Core i7-6800K – BX80671I76800K ($422.60 US)
Note: Both price schemes are not final.
We know that Intel’s Broadwell-E processors will have four variants, a 10 core variant, a 8 core variant and two 6 core variants. Like the Broadwell-EP, the Broadwell-E lineup can either use a single die configuration such as the LCC (Lowest Core Configuration) which houses up to 10 cores and seems like the perfect candidate for the HEDT family but Intel could also use the MCC die configuration to send off the disabled units to the consumer family.
The three 14nm dies used in building the Broadwell-EP family. Broadwell-E can be based on the LCC die.
Depending on the die used, Broadwell-E can feature any where from 3.4 Billion transistors on 246mm2 dies or 4.7 Billion transistors on 306mm2 dies. The first and second options will still be a vast improvement in overall transistors per die moving from Haswell-E which housed up to 2.6 Billion transistors on a 355mm2 die. In both cases, he transistor density has increased by a great margin.
Intel Broadwell-E Family
| Processor Name | Intel Core i7-6950X | Intel Core i7-6900K | Intel Core i7-6850K | Intel Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm |
| Cores/Threads | 10/20 | 8/16 | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Core Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz | 3.40 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB L3 Cache | 20 MB L3 Cache | 15 MB L3 Cache | 15 MB L3 Cache |
| Unlocked Multiplier (BCLK OC) | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC |
| Chipset | X99 | X99 | X99 | X99 |
| Socket | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 |
| PCI-E Lanes | 40 | 40 | 40 | 28 |
| Memory Support | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz |
| TDP | 140W | 140W | 140W | 140W |
| Launch Price | $1723 US | $1089 US | $617 US | $434 US |
Intel Core i7-6950X – The First Deca-Core, Extreme Series Processor
The Intel Core i7-6950X processor will be the flagship processor of the Broadwell-E lineup. The processor will feature 10 cores and 20 threads. The processor will run at a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a 3.50 GHz boost clock. The processor will come in an unlocked package to allow overclocking support to enthusiasts but I think Intel will be making a point with the upcoming launch, that they are not stopping at 8 cores for their HEDT family but increasing the core count even further for consumers. The processor rocks 25 MB of L3 cache (2.5 MB per core) and will be compatible with current generation X99 motherboards that feature the LGA 2011-v3 socket.
MSI's X99A Godlike Gaming Carbon has just been released and fully supports the Broadwell-E family.
There’s no reason to believe that board partners of Intel won’t launch new motherboards to mark the arrival of the first 10 core processor from any company. Currently, the highest core count processors that exist on retail include 8 core parts. Intel recently launched their workstation and datacenter platform, Broadwell-EP which has increased the core count up to 22 cores but those are expensive chips. The Xeon E5-2600 V4 chips do work with many X99 motherboards with proper BIOS support but unlike enthusiast class chips, they cannot overclock. The Core i7-6950X is rumored to launch at $1500 US according.
Intel Core i7-6900K – The Faster Octa Core Processor
Although the Core i7-6950X is one hell of a processor, Intel will also launch three more SKUs in the Broadwell-E lineup. This is the first time that Intel is launching four processors in an HEDT lineup but it might cover up the big price differences we have seen in the older lineups. Starting off with the Core i7-6900K which is an 8 core processor with 16 threads and has 20 MB of L3 Cache.
Now the processor specifications reminds me of the 8-Core Core i7-5960X which is the flagship Haswell-E offering that launched back in 2014 but fear not, this new processor would not only be a little bit cheaper than the Core i7-5960X but also come with faster clock speeds of 3.20 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost.
All along with the added sweetness of an unlocked multiplier and full support on the latest X99 motherboards to allow for better overclocking. The Core i7-6900K is expected to hit the market at around $999 US range.
Intel Core i7-6850K and Core i7-6800K – Hexa Core Options For The Masses
At the bottom of the lineup, Intel will have two SKUs, the Core i7-6850K and the Core i7-6800K. Both CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads and come with 15 MB of L3 cache but the interesting thing is that both chips are placed for the entry level enthusiasts which means these will be retailing for a price of sub-$450 US.
The Core i7-6850K will feature a base clock of 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost while the Core i7-6800K will feature clock speeds of 3.40 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Both processors are fully compliant with the LGA 2011-3 socket and will feature support for quad channel DDR4 memory with speeds of up to 2400 MHz (O.C+).
ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI Add Broadwell-E Support For X99 Products
ASUS motherboards are ready for Broadwell-E.
ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte have also started adding BIOS support for Broadwell-E processors for their existing X99 motherboards. ASRock added BIOS support for their products last week and all the top tier AIBs are now adding support for the upcoming HEDT lineup. The Broadwell-E processors will be launching very soon at Computex '16 and buyers will select from either current or new X99 boards which will be displayed at the event.
[socialpoll id="2350700"]
