Computex 2017: Intel Launches X299, Kabylake-X, and Skylake-X

Intel this summer will be releasing a new series of processor and accompanying motherboards. When you open your eyes and focus like a hawk here at Computex, you can stumble into some motherboards that actually are the new X299 platform.

Shortly after the AMD Ryzen release there was word that Intel was ramping up some new releases to address the gap in the channel that AMD is creating. The new X299 platform will hold Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X processors. The first real announcements will be made half June according to our information

Intel is to release Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X at the same time. The difference is simple, Skylake-X can offer 12, 10, 8 and 6 core processors (+ threads), the other (Kaby lake-X) remains to be a quad-core part.. So Kaby Lake-X CPUs on an X299 Motherboard have already been spotted in the form of the Core i7 7740K. This would be the quad-core part. New here will be the suggested support for quad-channel memory (this is not confirmed just yet and might up ending being just dual-channel). A recent SiSoft Sandra entry already has revealed the Core i7-7740K which at that point showed clock frequencies of 4.2GHz with a 4.5GHz Turbo. Kaby Lake-X CPUs thus are quad-core processors equipped with an 8MB cache and come with 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 from the CPU, and will fit on that new X299 motherboard platform. This processor would get a 112 Watt TDP. The rumored Core i5 model is the 7640K as specced below. The Kaby-Lake-X specs are obviously unconfirmed but would entail something like this:

In the enthusiast class / range you’ll spot Skylake-X. These puppies are extreme editions much like the current 6950X series currently on Skylake-X with up-to 12 processor cores and thus 24 threads it is assumed that these processors will get a 140 Watt TDP. Skylake-X will include 12, 10, 8 and 6 core products. That 12-core version is a new one and seems to be a bit of a reaction from Intel towards AMD who will  be releasing Threadripper processors with up-to 16 core parts and 32-threads.

The processors once again will need a new socket, 2066-socket, and yes that means that once again you have to purchase a new motherboard. This chipset will be called X299.

The X299 will bring quad-channel DDR4 support to compatible 14nm processors and 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes with Skylake-X procs. Kaby Lake-X procs will support dual or quad channel DDR4 and just 24 PCIe 3.0 Lanes. The new platform also offers support for Intel Optane and quad channel DDR4-2667 MHz memory. X99 will be based up-on a new socket, LGA 2066 that means that once again you have to purchase a new (X299) motherboard. 

I still need to edit the full specs, please look at the charts below for full information.