Intel recently launched three new motherboards — the Intel Desktop Board DX48BT2 Extreme Series (formerly codenamed ‘Bone Trail 2’), the Intel Desktop Board DG35EC Classic Series (formerly codenamed ‘Eva Cove’), and the Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF Essential Series (formerly codenamed ‘Little Falls’).
The boards, individually aimed at the extreme gamer, the mainstream multimedia user, and the entry-level PC users, enable a number of innovative features for today’s PCs such as greater PC performance, clearer definition video and low-powered technologies.
For extreme gaming performance, the Intel Desktop Board DX48BT2 Extreme Series board unleashes the fastest native 1600 MHz front side bus and memory support providing powerful performance and extreme overclockability. Supporting Intel Core 2 Extreme processors featuring quad or dual-core processing and a faster 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz FSB, it is built with the Intel X48 Express Chipset with ICH9R that is validated for chipset-level overclocking. There are two DIMM sockets designed to support up to 4 GB of DDR3 1600 MHz memory or four DIMM sockets designed to support up to 8 GB of DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz memory. The board has 2 IEEE 1394a ports and 12 USB 2.0 ports, dual full-speed PCIe 2.0 slots + x4/x16 PCIe slot and 2 PCI expansion slots, and 6 SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports. Further included in the DX48BT2 board are Intel Matrix Storage Technology, and the Dolby Home Theater. This product will also be a key component for workstation class system builders.
For mainstream users who want to experience a new level of 3D and media crispiness, the Intel Desktop Board DG35EC Classic Series board is built with sharpest performing integrated graphics supported on Intel architecture. Based on GMA X3500 integrated graphics, the board supports a range of processors including Intel Core 2 Quad and Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Besides delivering outstanding performance and stability, the integrated graphics and connectors meet a variety of digital needs including 1080p video playback for movie clips, media streams and the latest generation of HD videocameras, without the need for an add-in video card. Eligible for Microsoft Windows Vista Premium logo, the board is the first to have integrated Microsoft DirectX10 capability and it also supports OpenGL 2.0. Another first will be the availability of the Intel HD Video logo chassis sticker on boxed retail versions of the board, helping customers identify the stunning media experience they are soon able to enjoy.
Belonging to an exciting new category of computers called Nettops — a new family of affordable desktop computing devices purpose-built for Internet-centric usage models — the Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF is an affordable and unique motherboard that integrates a single unit of compute with a microprocessor, chipset, motherboard, and heat sink. Ideal for traditional channels to build and package into a full PC system for under US$300, these desktop boards are targeted at entry-level computer users in the emerging markets, as a second or basic home PC for mature markets, or customized for unique usage models in vertical markets such as home-lifestyle, banking or education. The Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF will use the new Intel Atom Processor and will be available towards the second-half of the year.