Last we heard of Intel's first hexa-core desktop processor it was stated that it would come in the second quarter of 2010. Gulftown would launch with Intel's new 32nm technology and with six physical cores and HyperThreading it can handle 12 parallel workloads. New sources suggests that Intel is planning a six-core LGA 1366 processor already for the Lynnfield and P55 launch in the third quarter.
Even if the processor will be working with the Intel X58 chipset and socket LGA 1366 it won't be called Core i7.Intel hasn't decided about the name yet, but according to sources to Bit-techs it will most definitely not be Core i7.
Information surrounding the specifications are sparse. If we get a hexa-core LGA 1366 processor in the third quarter the question is if it's really Gulfstown, or perhaps even some other 32nm model. The price will of course be in the same range as Intel Core i7 975 EE, and it remains to be seen how Intel will solve the marketing to make sure the two don't compete.
Consider this with a pinch of salt though, even if Intel is most certainly doing everything in its power to speed up the launch of the six-core there is very little reason to rush it out since competitor AMD isn't even trying to match the Core i7 series in terms of raw performance.
Six-core Gulftown in Q3 2009 already?
Noctua
