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Intel is set to release its new flagship, Core i7 980X 3.33 GHz six core monster, on March 16th. The MSRP is expected to be at least $999. Following on the 980X, Intel plans to release only two more Gulftown CPUs in its lifetime.

Coming in Q3 2010 is a more affordable and equally confusing branding of Core i7 970, which would normally indicate a Bloomfiled quad core. The i7 970 Gulftown is expected to be clocked at 3.2 GHz as a non-Extreme CPU with a locked multiplier. The i7 970 is expected to be priced at a minimum of $562, which is the lowest Gulftown CPUs are likely to retail for.

An updated Extreme edition Gulftown, presumably a i7 990X, is also expected in Q1 2011 - at the same time as the first Sandy Bridge CPUs. The Sandy Bridge CPUs releasing in Q1 2011 are likely to be dual and quad core, so a higher clocked Gulftown might still have a market.

There is no doubt Intel is marketing Gulftown as an exclusive product, and charging an appropriate premium for it. Where this would leave Bloomfield and Lynnfield CPUs remains to be seen. If AMD's Phenom II X6 performs well against Core i7 quad core CPUs, we may see the quad cores coming down in price, leaving the high end market open to Gulftown CPUs, which is unlikely to see competition till Intel's performance Sandy Bridge CPUs or AMD's next-generation Zambezi CPUs.

Reference: Xbitlabs