Intel's Next-Generation High-End Chipset May Possibly Support Current and Future Enthusiast Chips - X-bit labs

Intel's Next-Generation High-End Chipset May Possibly Support Current and Future Enthusiast Chips - X-bit labs

Intel Corp.'s next-generation high-end core-logic known as X79 may support both current enthusiast-class chips in LGA1366 form-factor as well as next-generation microprocessors in LGA2011 packaging. In fact, according to a document seen by X-bit labs, Intel itself prepares to release two mainboards based on X79 chipset for both its present and future chips.

At present Intel X58 chipset supports only microprocessors in LGA1366 form-factor and it is unlikely that the core-logic will support future Sandy Bridge E central processing units (CPUs). The yet-to-be announced X79 chipset (Waimea Bay enthusiast platform) will support both types of "extreme" chips: code-named Bloomfield in LGA1366 form-factor as well as code-named Sandy Bridge-E in LGA2011 packaging, a document seen by us claims.

The DX79SI mainboard is designed for extreme enthusiasts with no limits in mind. The mainboard will support LGA2011 microprocessors with up to eight DIMMs and up to 64GB of memory. The motherboard will feature three PCI Express 3.0 slots (which is a kind of breakthrough by itself) to support three-way multi GPU configurations, 12 Serial ATA ports (6 with Serial ATA-600 ports), 4 USB 3.0 ports, 14 USB 2.0 ports, 8-channel audio, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi module, two GbE ports and so on.

The DX79TO mainboard is aimed at more conservative users. The platform will support LGA1366 microprocessors, high-speed DDR3 memory as well as two PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots. The motherboard will feature 8 SATA connectors, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 6-channel audio, GbE and so on.

For more: X-bit Labs