Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/16/intel_holds_back_qx9770/
Intel's next Core 2 Extreme gaming processor, the QX9770 - reviewed here (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/03/review_intel_qx9770_x48/) - won't debut until late February/early March and not this month after all, it has been claimed.
The new schedule is attested by Taiwanese motherboard-maker moles cited (http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20080116PD207.html) by DigiTimes.
We can't say we're entirely surprised. In December 2007, it was claimed that Intel's next-gen gaming chipset, the X48 (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/17/intel_delays_x48/), had been put back from January to February/March, the better to allow motherboard makers rid themselves of their stocks of X38-based boards.
Since the QX9770 is so well positioned as the ideal X48 processor, it makes sense that Intel would want to hold back the CPU too. Doubly so, perhaps, given AMD's admission that its top two Phenom processors will now appear in Q2 (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/15/amd_juggles_phenom_schedule/) rather than the current one, as originally planned.
The QX9770 is clocked at 3.2GHz and is expected to be priced at $1399 in batches of 1000 CPUs.
Related Reviews
• Intel 'Penryn' Core 2 Extreme QX9770 and X48 chipset (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/03/review_intel_qx9770_x48/)
Intel rolls out Skulltrail high-end gaming mobo (20 February 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/20/intel_launches_skulltrail/
Intel says X48 will ship mid-March (6 February 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/06/intel_sets_x40_release/
Sony intros Intel 'Penryn'-based Vaios (29 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/29/sony_goes_penryn/
Intel readies 15 CPUs for Centrino revamp (15 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/15/intel_montevina_15_cpus/
Intel pitches low-cost PC platform at Eee PC rivals (14 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/14/intel_aims_shelton_at_laptops/
Intel readies low-end 'Penryn' Core 2 Duos (11 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/11/intel_readies_core2_e7000/
Intel fires up 45nm laptop chip assault (8 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/08/intel_45nm_mobile/
Intel to up 45nm Core 2 Extreme prices by 50% next year (16 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/16/intel_prices_up_penryn_desktops/