Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition Processor 3.46 GHz 6 Core LGA 1366 - BX80613I7990X

by Intel

• Process Type: Intel Core i7 Processor i7-990X Frequency: 3.46 GHz Bus Speed: 6.4 GT/s
• Cache: 12 MB Process: 32 nm Socket: LGA1366
• Power Consumption: 130 W VID Voltage Range: 0.800V -1.375V Max Memory Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
• This processor is a Six Core Processor This processor supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology
• This processor supports Hyper-Threading Technology This processor supports Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B004NRQDQQ
• Item model number: BX80613i7990X
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #95 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Components > CPU Processors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 15, 2011

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition delivers the cutting edge in PC performance. It combines the power of six processing cores running at 3.46 GHz into a single processor, guaranteeing the utmost performance and power for the most demanding applications. With 12 MB of smart cache, the Core i7 990X processor ensures that you get maximum responsiveness from your system, even when running many intensive programs simultaneously. Compatible with motherboards based on the Intel X58 Express chipset, the Core i7 990X processor takes your computing and gaming experience to the next level.

Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition At a Glance: Six 3.46 GHz cores and 12 threads for better performance 12 MB of smart cache Unlocked core for easy overclocking Quick Path Interconnect provides fast data transfer between the processor and chipset Turbo Boost Technology pushes single-core frequency to 3.73 GHz

Take your computing and gaming experience to the next level with the Intel Core i7-990X processor Extreme Edition. View larger.

With 6 cores and 12 computing threads, you'll have smoother, more realistic gameplay.

12 Threads for the Ultimate Gaming Weapon
The Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition packs six computing cores running at 3.46 GHz to deliver breakthrough performance in gaming and multitasking. The Core i7 990X will not only handle today's complex games, but tomorrow's as well. You'll experience smoother, more realistic gameplay as AI, physics, and rendering are distributed across the six cores and 12 threads. Your 3D gaming will be brought to life without frame-rate hiccups and slowdowns so you can dominate the competition.

Breakaway Performance for Digital Media Creation
Whether editing high-definition videos, touching up family photos, or splicing up music, the Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition provides the processing power needed. The processor's 12 threads are optimized to keep up with the most advanced digital editing software. It also accelerates DVD encoding and compression, allowing you to easily share your HD movies with everyone. Video transcoding and compression and image rendering are done faster than ever, so you'll never be left waiting for your computer to catch up to your imagination.

Powerful Microarchitecture Eliminates Slowdown
The i7 family is Intel's flagship processor, and for good reason. With the i7 family, Intel engineers invented a revolutionary new style of microarchitecture. They replaced the front side bus--a longtime staple of processor design--with a new technology called QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). Using QPI, the Intel Core i7 990X processor increases bandwidth and lowers latency, while achieving data transfer speeds as high as 25.6 GB/s.

To put it simply, users will enjoy faster and more streamlined processing than ever before. Your computer will handle multiple projects and applications without the slowdown you'd experience with a lesser processor.

New Technologies Boost Performance
The Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition also makes use of several other cutting-edge technologies:

• Turbo Boost Technology allows the processor to automatically boost base clock speed of 3.46GHz to a maximum single-core frequency of 3.73GHz when it's operating below power/thermal limits.
• Hyper-Threading Technology enables more efficient use of processor resources by allowing each core to work on two tasks at the same time. This 12 way multi-tasking makes the most of highly threaded software like media players and next-generation games.
• Smart Cache Memory increases available RAM resources, leading to less lag while multi-tasking.

Overclocker Friendly¹
Built to be tweaked and pushed to the limits, Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition features an unlocked core making it easier to overclock. For performance enthusiasts and gamers looking to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their hardware, Intel DX58SO Extreme Series Desktop Boards provide a stable foundation for a benchmark-shattering system.

1 Warning: altering clock frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and useful life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications

The Intel Core i7 990X processor Extreme Edition is backed by a three-year limited warranty.

Intel Core i7 Processor Comparison
	Intel Core i7-990X Processor Extreme Edition	Intel Core i7-980X Processor Extreme Edition	Intel Core i7-970 Processor	Intel Core i7-960 Processor
Number of Processing Cores	6	6	6	4
Number of Simultaneous Threads	12 (With Intel HT Technology)	12 (With Intel HT Technology)	12 (With Intel HT Technology)	8 (With Intel HT Technology)
Clock Speed	3.46 GHz	3.33 GHz	3.20 GHz	3.20 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	3.73 GHz	3.60 GHz	3.46 GHz	3.46 GHz
Intel Smart Cache	12 MB	12 MB	12 MB	8 MB
Max Memory Size	24 GB	24 GB	24 GB	24 GB
Memory Types	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066	DDR3-800/1066	DDR3-800/1066
Number of DDR3 Memory Channels	3	3	3	3
AES New Instructions	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Product Description

Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition i7-990X 3.46GHz 12MB LGA1366 CPU

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it March 20, 2012

By J. Spencer

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm upgrading from an i7 920 running at stock -- and this is a massive increase in performance. I know that the 1366 architecture isn't the latest and greatest, but I wanted a hexacore processor without also having to upgrade my motherboard and ram, so I chose this chip, and for me, it's a good upgrade. I figure this chip will keep me happy for at least 2 more years, at which time I'll be going lga 2011 (or whatever is the latest and greatest at that time)

Using Daz Studio Advanced 64 bit, a test render of "Fiery Genesis", (a pre-made, ready to render 3d scene that comes with the program to showcase what the software can do)took roughly 37 minutes on my i7-920, but this beast churned through the same render in 3 minutes and 37 seconds! Wow. I was just blown away to see such a huge bump in performance, and, despite the high price tag of this processor, for me the massive increase in rendering performance was well worth the cost. I'm aware that I could've overclocked my 920 -- just as I could OC this thing, but, in a word, I'm chicken. Even if the thing ran stable, I'd be so paranoid that one day I'd go to turn my PC on, only to see thick black smoke coming out of it. So I run stock, and it gives me peace of mind.

I'm running this on a Corsair H60 sealed water cooler, and my temps match the 920s idle, and at load -- mid 30s at idle, and about 45 under sustained load -- this is with the thermal paste that came with the processor. I may go back and try again with Arctic Silver, but that's a project for another day.

All in all, if I were building from scratch, I probably wouldn't choose the 1366 architecture at this point.... However, in trying to squeeze a little more time out of my existing investment, it made sense for me, and for what I use it for, the hexacore processor made sense. I'm not really a big gamer anymore, so I'm not sure this thing is the best processor for that. Most PC games are just ports of games optimized for 5 year old console hardware anyway, which even the 920 was more than capable of handling.

I know a lot of people publish their PC specs, but I'm not in front of the 990x PC right now, so if you guys really want to see my specs, I'll edit the review and post them. Read more ›

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW February 13, 2012

By Dan Learned

I use this CPU primarily for gaming, (Far Cry 1 & 2, Half Life 2 & episode 2, & Crysis just to name a few), occasionally I do Photoshop CS5, and a little video editing (home/family videos). I couldn't be more pleased. I've overclocked it to 4.4 with temps around 150 - 175 deg. I've changed the multiplier back to the default, Auto, because I couldn't really tell enough of an increase to justify the temperature. I'm quite pleased at 3.47 at 70 - 86 deg. I would definitely recommend this CPU. The only con I can think of is the price, but hey, you get what you pay for, and this CPU if worth every penny.

My System Specs:

CPU i7-990X
Zalman CNPS9900LED CPU Cooler
24GB G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3
Asus P6X58D-E Mobo
GTX 590, This Card
240GB Sata III Kingston HyperX SSD
Thermaltake Level 10 GT Tower w/Lian Li Metal Casters

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars i7-990X CPU October 17, 2011

By Robert Nilsen

Amazon Verified Purchase

I use the CPU for HD video editing. Very fast and could be faster, if you know how to over clock. I was able to install the CPU with out any problems. I did need to remove the MB, to mount the fan base, so the cooling fan can be installed. Works very well.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best bang for the buck for heavy multi-processing May 31, 2011

By Hashimoto

I use this processor for design space exploration, running 12 processes in parallel. Gulftown was made for this type of job.
I am fully utilizing all 12 threads 24 hours a day, and although I am using the stock Intel fan for cooling, it never overheats with this workload. (Note: the processes I am running have a moderately sized memory footprint, resulting in little to no cache thrashing, and I am not overclock).

5.0 out of 5 stars So fast the response comes back before you can reach the "enter" key. lol June 10, 2013

By psue-psue-psuedonym

Amazon Verified Purchase

I highly recommend one of the closed-loop water-cooled radiators. It's a fast processor for a reason! It runs prodigiously hot.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all that and a box of crackers! April 30, 2013

By Polabear

Amazon Verified Purchase

Super fast and capable! Best processor out there! It's very dependable and handles any task you throw at it! Wow!

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Buy March 12, 2013

By Helsimnh

Amazon Verified Purchase

Very good price for the product. They are responsible to ship the product within the estimated time in the description.

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular! December 25, 2012

By Harry Stuhldreher

I built my own system with an i7-990x. This baby flies!!! It is absolutely incredible. I don't do any gaming nor do I do anything fancy that is computation intensive. I mostly browse the web and do most of my other work using standard Office products. So this processor is way overkill for what I do and would not have been a good investment for me, except for the fact that I didn't have to pay for it (that's a story for another time).

Having said that, I just built my wife a system using an i5 CPU and I can definitely see the performance difference between her i5 and my i7. If you're doing anything that is computation intensive, and you have the $$ to throw around, the i7-990x is the way to go.