Intel Corp. will release its next-generation high-end desktop (HEDT) processor code-named Ivy Bridge-E in the third quarter of 2013, according to a slide that resembles those from Intel's roadmaps. The new chip will retain LGA2011 packaging and will be compatible with existing mainboards powered by Intel X79 core-logic, thus, do not expect a lot of new features from the IVB-E-powered system compared to Sandy Bridge-E desktops.

The Ivy Bridge-E high-end desktop central processing units (CPUs) will be launched whopping five quarters later after the original Core i 3000-series "Ivy Bridge" chip for performance-mainstream desktops and notebooks. Moreover, the Ivy Bridge-E microprocessors will be released one quarter later than code-named Haswell CPUs for performance-mainstream personal computers due in the second quarter of 2013, according to the slide published by VR-Zone web-site.

Intel Ivy Bridge-E  central processing units, which will belong to the next-generation Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition family, will continue to use LGA2011 form-factor and will be compatible with existing Intel X79 platforms with a simple BIOS update. That said, hardly any brand-new platform features will be introduced along with the IVB-E.

Nothing particular is known about the Ivy Bridge-E chips in general, but given the fact that performance difference between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge is not too substantial, the Extreme Edition chips may gain clock-speed or additional cores (thanks to 22nm process technology, it should not increase costs substantially) in order to become a proper upgrade for Sandy Bridge-E CPUs.

It remains to be seen how competitive will IVB-E be compared to higher-end Haswell models, which will feature brand-new micro-architecture along with numerous new features.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Intel, Ivy Bridge, Ivy Bridge-E, Haswell, Sandy Bridge-E, 22nm