Intel Core i7 Extreme 980X Six Core 32nm Processor Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The Linus Tech Tips unboxing of the Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition is presented as a premium reveal of a six-core, 32 nm desktop processor. The video opens with an assertion that this is a unique product for the desktop platform, emphasizing its six-core design similar to the earlier QX6700 but with modern refinements. Linus walks through the packaging, noting the inclusion of a three-year warranty and a new stock cooler that Intel has updated for Extreme Edition hardware. He comments on the unusual outer packaging and the cardboard containment for the CPU, then moves to the accessories: installation instructions, the Intel logo label, and an OEM thermal paste tube with application guidance. The unboxing also highlights improved mounting hardware, including a back plate and thumb screws, a convex CPU base designed to apply mounting pressure efficiently at the die. He demonstrates the cooler’s heat-pipe design, the sleeved power connector, and an angled fan intended to push air around the socket to cool nearby components, a notable shift from traditional top-down stock coolers. The segment wraps with an overview of the CPU specifications, including 12 MB of cache, a 6.4 GHz QPI link, and the claim that the processor can be overclocked to 4 GHz with ease, underscoring the Extreme Edition branding and Linus’s own overclocking experience. The overall takeaway is that this is a high-end, overclocking-focused CPU with a redesigned cooling solution that aims to address both processor cooling and system-wide thermal management, making it a centerpiece for enthusiasts.

Topics · hardware · unboxing · cpu · processors · linus tech tips · overclocking