Leaked Core i7 (Gulftown) details hint March/April Mac Pro Upgrade

Intel has teased out a little more information on its forthcoming 32nm six-core Xeon processors, the Intel Core i7-980X Processor Extreme Edition, the engine many expect will power a future model of the Mac Pro.

HardMac (via MacRumors and PCOnline.com.cn) confirms the new chips will retain the Core i7 name, but with an added X (for Extreme) to their name. These new Intel processors are expected to make their commercial debut in the second half of the first quarter 2010, according to a roadmap published by HardMac.

The last significant Mac Pro upgrade took place on March 3, 2009, when Apple introduced new models of pro desktop equipped with Intel’s ‘Nehalem’ Xeon processors at prices starting at $300 less than before. (NB: Amazon is offering the basic model at a $200 discount on list price right now).

HardMac’s infor reveals the 32nm chips will carry six cores and 12 threads - so a dual processor Mac Pro might boast an astonishing 12 physical and 24 logical cores - you’ll feel the difference on Final Cut Pro. The move away from speed increases towards performance gains is also confirmed in the 3.33GHz speed of these chips.

Additional info:

• 12MB Intel Smart Cache
• Hyperthreading support
• Integrated Memory Controller
• DDR 1066MHz memory
• Power: 130W TDP.