Intel unveils "Skulltrail" eight-core platform

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 20 Feb 2008 at 12:18

Intel has introduced a new desktop platform that comprises up to eight processor cores and support for multiple graphics cards.

Unveiled at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, the Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform, formerly codenamed "Skulltrail", supports two Intel QX9775 quad core processors and multi-card graphics from ATI or Nvidia, all sitting in the new D5400XS desktop board.

The platform is designed with both gamers and graphics professionals in mind. Gamers will be able to deploy the latest Nvidia SLI or ATI Crossfire multi-card systems designed for the latest graphics-intensive games, while Intel says that eight processing cores will appeal to 3D animators, digital audio artists and high-definition video editors.

"When it comes to delivering innovation to the ultimate enthusiast, our new eight-core desktop platform is a winner," says Jeff McCrea, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Home Group.

"The ground-breaking Intel Desktop Board D5400XS enables the flexibility to pair a variety of quad graphics solutions with two of our fastest desktop processors. The result is stunning PC performance."

Robert Duffy, programming director for id Software, of Quake fame, has seen great benefits from the new technology.

"Having eight powerful Intel cores in a single machine helps our team create and test our latest titles at record speed. We have seen one of our most time-consuming asset generation processes cut from over four hours to under 20 minutes by utilising all eight cores," he says.

Each Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX9775 offers 12MB of L2 cache, a 1600MHz system bus and four cores running at 3.2GHz, but it doesn't come cheap. The QX9775 has an MSRP of $1,499 each, while estimated street pricing for the Intel Desktop Board D5400XS is $649.

Nonetheless, several PC manufacturers plan to offer systems based on the new platform within a month, including Armari, Boxx Tech, Digital Storm, Falcon Northwest, Maingear, Puget Systems, Scan, Velocity Micro, Vigor Gaming, Voodoo and @Xi Computers.

More information can be found at the Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform product page.