Intel X48 Chipset Launch Slipped Down To March

Suffering a similar fate as the 45nm quad-core processors, the X48 chipset has slipped from an early Q1 release all the way to March, the last month of the first quarter. Although both the chip and the CPUs have been slated for Q1 and no concrete release has been announced they were supposed to arrive, although in small numbers, as soon as the end of January, a target that has been obviously missed.

Whatever the reason, though we suspect the delay of the 3.2 GHz QX9770 to have something to do with this, the 1600 MHz FSB-supporting X48 and motherboards equipped with it will be arriving in March, likely in time to counter Nvidia's nForce 790i products. The bright side is that we get more time to save money for either one.

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CES 2008:Intel To Launch P45,G45 Chipsets In Q2'08

With the delay of the X48 chipset and the decision to delay some of its desktop CPU due to the weak performance of AMD's Phenom range, it looks like Intel might be planning to launch these CPUs alongside the P45 and G45 chipsets sometime in April or May this year, but it might be sooner rather than later.

The biggest advantage we're seeing with the P45 chipset over the current P35 chipset is the fact that it supports dual x8 PCIe slots; as with the P35 you're limited to a x16 and a x4 solution if you want to run CrossFire.

The G45 is an interesting beast, as it has an upgraded graphics engine with DX10 support, full HD video decoding and built-in support for HDMI with HDCP. There is, of course, the cut down G43 model as well, and we've even heard rumors of a simpler model than this, but it hasn't been verified as yet.

Our current bet is on an April launch date, as by the end of the year, we're looking at new sockets, processors and chipsets all together and Intel wants some time to sell their new platform before they introduce their new lineup of products.

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Chaintech Unveils DDR3 1600MHz That Runs At 1.6V

Walton Chaintech unveiled the first DDR3 1600MHz memory module that runs at 1.6V with 7-7-7-18 timings.

As Intel chipset X48 is soon to be released in the Q1, 2008, DDR3 1600 solution is becoming readily available for the new platform. Introduced as an upgrade version, Intel chipset X48 will offer the official support to DDR3 1600 and FSB1600 MHz. To accomplish this, Walton Chaintech has successfully developed APOGEE GT DDR3 1600 memory module which can be operated at 1.6V voltage.

While other brands of DDR3 1600 memory modules require at least 1.8V to 1.95V operating voltage, APOGEE GT DDR3 1600 memory module achieves 1600MHz speed at just 1.6V voltage. With lower memory voltage and better performance, this product takes full advantage of the capabilities of the upcoming motherboard on base of Intel X48 chipset.

APOGEE GT DDR3 1600 memory modules will be marketed in deluxe package of 2GB dual channel kit (1GBx2) with Cool It Smart heatsink system. Each module is 100% tested for quality assurance and compatibility, ensuring customers to enjoy an extreme user experience either for gaming or other multimedia applications with high computing needs.

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Intel P45 and X48 To Arrive At The Same Time

TweakTown reports Intel's P45 and X48 chipsets may arrive at the same time.

Known as P45, this replacement mainstream chipset will be more or less a subtle adjustment to the tried and true P35 chipset many of us have opened arms to; P45 will bring 1600MHz FSB support along with a few minor bug fixes and changes.

P45 might be a redundant name to anyone in the UK, but that hasn’t stopped Intel from apparently using the name for its next mainstream motherboard chipset. According to a motherboard manufacturer that we’ve spoken to, Intel is planning to introduce the new chipset in 2008, possibly as early as January, and the rumour is that it will basically be the same as the P35, but with a 1,600MHz front side bus.

The timing of the launch sounds about right to us, as Intel is also planning to launch its first CPU with a 1,600MHz front side bus, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770, in January 2008. Intel also plans to announce its X48 chip for enthusiasts at this time, which supports the 1,600MHz front side bus as well.

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After Nforce 780i Its Time For 790i

Just weeks after Nvidia launches its Nforce 780i chipset, the first chipset to officially support Triple SLI, Nvidia will follow up with its DDR3 chipset with Triple SLI support.

The Nforce 790i is on track for a January announcement and this new chipset will bring two unique features, support for 1,600MHz FSB CPUs such as QX9770 and DDR3 memory.

This will make the Nforce 790i a real competitor to Intel's X48 chipset which is scheduled for an announcement at about the same time. DDR3 is still overpriced, but people like the sound of 1,800 MHz DDR3 speeds, but unfortunately this super high speed doesn’t really translates to real world performance figures.

The Nforce 780i should support 1,600MHz FSB CPUs, but you will have to overclock the board as officially the Nforce 780i as well as the X38 chipsets are not suppose to go over 1,333MHz.

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