Intel goes "extreme" with first 10-Core processor, puts Tick-Tock tactics on hold - CNET

This year, Intel has stuck with the same 14-nanometre die used in previous generations, but added enhancements to boost speeds and performance.

In Broadwell-E, announced this week at Computex in Taipei, we're seeing 10 cores in the top-of-the-line chip, with 2 threads per core, meaning faster speeds and, in the words of Frank Soqui, GM of Intel's Enthusiast Desktop Group, "crazy good" performance.

To make sure it isn't just about lots of cores, Intel also features a "Turbo Boost Max" technology that tests the individual chip to identify which cores are physically fastest, as slight variations in manufacturing can give some cores better results than others. This technology means tasks that need the fastest single-core operation possible can be allocated to the best cores on the chip.

You'll find all those cores in Intel's top Extreme Edition chip, the i7-6950X:

• 10 Cores, 20 Threads
• 8-core and 6-core options also available
• Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
• 4-channel memory support
• 25MB Smart Cache
• Fully unlocked (offering flexibility for overclockers)

For those not playing along with the buzzword bingo, these features essentially work together to make a chip that can handle bigger workloads, demanded by applications like 4K gaming and VR content creation.

And here's where mega-tasking comes in, and where Intel says heavy users will find the most benefits.