DigiTimes is reporting that the long-running rumours of AMD’s plans to launch three six-core desktop processors (codenamed Thuban) under its new Phenom II X6 1000T series will finally come to pass in May of this year, while Intel’s heavily mooted plans to launch its six-core desktop processors (codenamed Gulftown) are set to kick into gear at the end of March.

It’s war!

Citing “sources from motherboard makers”, the article claims that the three processors from AMD – the Phenom II X6 1075T, 1055T and 1035T – will each adopt a 45nm process. AMD will also launch the quad-core Phenom II X4 960T alongside the six-core models, the sources noted.

The sources didn’t stop there either, adding that AMD will launch compatible 890FX (RD890) and 890GX (RS880D) chipsets that pair with its SB850 southbridge, a month prior to introducing the CPUs.

“Intel’s six-core desktop offering will kick off with the Core i7-980X, which is expected to be priced more than US$1,000,” continued the DigiTimes piece, though they did hold back the horses somewhat by noting that both AMD and Intel declined the opportunity to respond to this report saying “they do not comment on unannounced products”.