The X299 Platform
All of these new CPUs will run on the new X299 chipset. This new chipset will support DMI 3.0, which is an upgrade from DMI 2.0 interface that X99 used. There will also be 30 high-speed IO lanes which can be used for PCI-E, USB 3.0, and SATA 6GB/s. The platform has support for up to eight SATA 6GB/s ports, up to 10 USB 3.0 ports, and up to 24 PCI-E 3.0 ports. This puts it above the Z270 chipset in terms of capability. As far as NVMe goes, you’ll have support for a maximum of three NVMe x4 PCI-E drives in RAID, just like Z170 and Z270.
Intel will also be introducing a new AIO cooler, which from the looks of it is designed by Asetek. It has a pretty cool Intel logo on the pump block and a blue LED lit fan. It should be competitive with AIOs from other major brands out there. It will support LGA2011, LGA2066, and LGA115x.
Intel will initially launch the Core i9-7900X with its X299 platform. For all those wondering the monster Core i9-7980XE will not be available till further down the road.
