Intel could cancel ‘Broadwell-E’ in favour of ‘Skylake-E’

Intel Corp.’s high-end desktop (HEDT) processors for enthusiasts deliver unbeatable performance, but are based on rather outdated micro-architectures compared to mainstream chips. In a bid to fix that, the world’s No. 1 maker of microprocessors for personal computers may abandon its next-generation “Broadwell-E” and bring more advanced “Skylake-E” forward.

Intel released its Core i7 “Haswell-E” microprocessors for extreme gamers and enthusiasts in September, 2014, and is expected to introduce more advanced “Broadwell-E” high-end desktop chips in the first quarter of 2016. By the time the “Broadwell-E” arrives, Intel will be offering “Skylake” processors with more advanced micro-architecture for all types of mainstream PCs and in certain cases such chips could beat more expensive HEDT offerings.

According to an alleged slide from Intel’s roadmap, which was published by Hardware.fi, the company intends to cancel release of its “Broadwell-E” in Q1 2016, but to unveil its “Skylake-E” chip in the Q3 2016. It is unclear whether the upcoming CPU will be compatible with the Intel X99 core-logic and LGA2011-3 platforms, but it is a likely scenario.

Intel’s “Skylake-E” central processing unit will be made using 14nm process technology and will feature all-new micro-architecture to deliver considerably higher performance compared to existing HEDT offerings from Intel.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Disclaimer: KitGuru could not verify authenticity of the slide at press time.

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KitGuru Says: In fact, it makes a great sense for Intel to cancel its “Broadwell-E” and concentrate on release of its “Skylake-E” instead. While this is theoretically possible, it should be kept in mind that all HEDT chips are based on silicon for Xeon E5 processors for servers. As a result, unless Intel cancels its upcoming “Broadwell-EP”, it can hardly cancel “Broadwell-E” and bring “Skylake-E” forward. Meanwhile, disrupting server plans is not something that Intel wants to do.

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