Intel unveiled the company’s first eight-core desktop processor, the Intel Core i7-5960X processor Extreme Edition, formerly code-named Haswell-E.  This is the chipmaker’s first client processor supporting 16 computing threads, along with the X99 Chipset. Platforms based on the Intel X99 Chipset are also Thunderbolt-ready; When paired with a Thunderbolt 2 add-in card, this enables a 20 Gbps connection to the PC.

Intel says it has been working with industry partners on the new platform, including key OEMs, memory vendors, motherboard vendors and graphics partners.

Three new SKUs will be available next week ranging from six to eight cores and from $389 to $999.

[Image courtesy: Intel]