Intel isn’t quite ready to dismiss the old LGA1366 socket and X58 chipset since the successor is not slated to arrive until Q4 with Sandy Bridge E and X79. Until then a new processor will replace Core i7-970.
The new Core i7-980 will replace Core i7-970 and has the same 6 cores with HyperThreading and 12 MB cache. The only thing that is different is that Core i7-980 will be clocked at 3.33 GHz, while Core i7-970 runs at 3,20 GHz. Worth noting is that Core i7-980 will not have an unlocked multiplier, like the first Gulftown Core i7-980X has.
Core i7-980 will replace Core i7-970 in price and should there round land at around 450€. In Q4 Intel will release its new platform Waimea Bay with the X79 chipset and LGA2011 socket, with quad-channel memory support and processors up to 6 cores with Sandy Bridge E and this platform will be the spiritual successor to LGA1366 that is still the top dog in multi-threading performance in retail.
Source: VR-Zone
