In order to reply to AMD's new Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs, Intel is planning to increase the core count on their next-generation desktop platform. According to the latest rumors, Intel might add a eight core CPU regarding their 9th generation of mainstream desktop CPUs.


The new generation of CPUs should compete with AMD's socket AM4 offerings in terms of raw CPU performance and core count, while the Intel X299 should fight against AMD Threadripper. According to HKEPC, Intel's upcoming Coffee Lake Refresh series of CPUs is going to be released in 2018, which would be few months after current Coffee Lake processors. These upcoming chips are supposed to feature a total of eight CPU cores and sixteen threads in total. In the case of manufacturing process Intel will stick to their 14nm process node.

The same sources have also stated that Core i3 and Core i5 processors are also expected to a thread count increase over their Coffee Lake counterparts. For example the upcoming Core i5 Coffee Lake Refresh might pack six cores and twelve threads in total. This change could put on the same level a Core i3 with a 7th generation desktop Core i7. At the moment the new processors are rumored to be compatible with Intel Z370 chipset, however we all know that Intel is going to release Z390 chipset during next year.

At this time there isn't information on this chipset and we are wondering what's going to be behind this chip. If we were to guess we'd say Intel is/has been working on an improved Z370 chipset with additional features.



Source: HKEPC