Well, it isn't stated in the article if the CPU is x86-compatible so it's just a showcase of some cores which can calculate some mathematical tasks. You can't compare a core of that CPU with a Core 2- or Phenom-Core since those cores on the 80-core-CPU is much smaller and much less complex. I think the overall transistor count is similar to a quadcore-CPU of today so it's clear that the wattage isn't that high.

This multi core idea isn't new Intel is just trailing on what SUN is doing with their T1 Niagara 8core/32threads CPUs
http://www.sun.com/processors/UltraSPARC-T1/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UltraSPARC_T1
Intel made a point their roadmap where they would overtake SUN in this multi core race but it seems we'll have to wait a little bit longer for actual market products.
Most likely these cpu's will gradually make their way into HPTC's like the one's in top500.org