At Computex 2017 Intel introduced their new Intel Core X-series processor family. Intel's most scalable, accessible and powerful desktop platform ever, it includes the new Intel Core i9 processor brand and the Intel Core i9 Extreme Edition processor – the first consumer desktop CPU with 18 cores and 36 threads of power.

Intel noted in their press release today that "Creating rich, immersive experiences and bringing them to life takes a lot of compute power. Creators, gamers and enthusiasts have an insatiable demand for more power, more performance and more capability that lets them focus on what they want to do, not on whether their computer is up to the task. Intel is committed to continue giving them that extreme platform.

Introducing the new Intel Core X-series processor family: Intel's most scalable, accessible and powerful desktop platform ever. Ranging from 4 to 18 cores, it offers unprecedented scalability. With price points to match, there is an Intel® Core™ X-series processor that is sure to meet the needs for the widest range of enthusiast customers ever.

We're also introducing the entirely new Intel Core i9 processor brand, representing the highest performance for advanced gaming, VR and content creation. At the top of the lineup is the new Intel Core i9 Extreme Edition processor – the first consumer desktop CPU with 18 cores and 36 threads of power.

Select SKUs of the Intel Core X-series processor family brings extreme performance to enthusiasts with Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 creating new levels of single-threaded and dual-threaded performance. The Intel® Core X-series processor family also delivers the first teraflop desktop CPU from Intel. And install Intel® Optane memory, a smart system accelerator to improve system responsiveness with large storage drives. Intel Core X-series processors use more cores and more threads to do more simultaneous workloads, like extreme mega-tasking. For our enthusiasts, we have new overclocking features including AVX 512 ratio offset, memory controller trim voltage control, and PEG/DMI overclocking to get more performance than ever before."

Extreme Performance for Single-Thread and Multithread Computing

• Up to 10 percent faster multithread performance1 over previous generation
• Up to 15 percent faster single-thread performance2 over previous generation
• Massive 36-thread performance and quad-channel memory for content creation and extreme mega-tasking
• Up to 44 lanes of PCIe 3.0 directly connected to the CPU, to expand your system with fast SSDs, multiple discrete graphics cards and ultrafast Thunderbolt 3 technology

Key Features:

• New! Intel Core i9 Extreme Edition processor featuring 18 cores and 36 threads
• New! Intel's most scalable high-end desktop platform ever with 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4-core options
• New! Intel X299 chipset with improved I/O capabilities

System from HP, Dell, Levnovo and Asustek will be ready for the holidays. The Asusteck's highend i9 system will be called "Kukuna."

Intel's Gregory Bryant, corporate vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group who gave the Computex Keynote wrote a press release as well talking about today's announcements which also included news about Intel's Compute Card which offers the capabilities of a full computer but in the size of a credit card. The applications are endless – smart screens, interactive appliances, smart factories and more – and it's a perfect complement to everything else we are doing to bring more compute power and connectivity into the home and beyond. For more on news, click here.

Apple is rumored to be preparing a MacBook refresh and so today's announcements are likely going to fill in some of the blanks regarding processors available now and this fall that could be adopted for the iMac update this fall.

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