Intel's HEDT X299 platform is just around the corner and we are getting some new details about it. The latest findings confirm that AIBs have started manufacturing motherboards based on the new HEDT X series PCH.

Gigabyte X299 Gaming 3 Motherboard With LGA 2066 Socket and X299 PCH Spotted With Kaby Lake X Core i7-7740K Processor

Once again, the useful Sisoftware database has revealed the Kaby Lake X processor specifications along with an X299 based motherboard. The new Kaby Lake X processor lineup will feature just two processors, a Core i7 model and a Core i5 model. Both of these chips will be entry level quad cores for builders who plan to go the HEDT route. The processors will ship with higher clock speeds and higher TDPs and will be based on the 14nm Kaby Lake architecture. So while these will be entry level and faster quad cores, don't expect miracles in terms of performance.

The processor that was leaked in the listing is the Core i7-7740K which will be the top SKU of the Kaby Lake X family. The chip was tested on a next-generation Gigabyte X299 Gaming 3 motherboard which is going to be available in mid of 2017. The motherboard being listed by its production name confirms that the products are already being manufactured and should be ready for Computex unveiling at the end of May.

Intel Core i7-7740K Processor Specifications – The FastestQuad Core Chip

The Intel Core i7-7740K processorwill become the fastest Core i7 chip in the Kaby Lake lineup. It will replace the Core i7-7700K with slightly better specs. This chip features a quad core, hyper-threaded design. The chip is based on the latest 14nm+ process node which delivers improved efficiency and performance on the existing 14nm FinFET technology.

The clock speeds are rated 4.2 GHz base and 4.5 GHz boost. The processor packs 8 MB of L3 cache and has a TDP of 112W. There’s no word on the retail price but it should be a bit higher or if Intel does feel like offering real competition to the Ryzen chips, they could price it the same as the Core i7-7700K while dropping the former in price.

Intel Core i5-7640K Processor Specifications – First Core i5 For HEDT Platforms

The Intel Core i5-7640K processor will be the first instance of a Core i5 chip on the HEDT platform. This chip features a quad coredesign along with four threads. The chip is based on the latest 14nm+ process node which delivers improved efficiency and performance on the existing 14nm FinFET technology. The clock speeds are rated 4.0 GHz base but boost would be beyond 4 GHz. The processor packs 6 MB of L3 cache. The TDP is rated at 112W, just like the Core i7 processor in the Kaby Lake-X family.

Intel's 14nm+ is the most advanced process architecture available in the industry.

Other updates will include support for quad channel memory which will be a good bump over dual channel. The new X299 platform would offer more PCIe lanes from the CPU and PCH. Both quad cores would be pitted against 6 core Ryzen chips as current Intel quad cores provide good productivity and gaming performance against the competition.

Intel Kaby Lake-X Lineup