CRN Network, April 24 2008, 1830 hrs
Intel has launched three new motherboards – DX48BT2 Extreme series, DG35EC Classic series, and D945GCLF Essential series aimed individually at the extreme gamer, the mainstream multimedia user, and the entry-level PC users, respectively.
The DX48BT2 Extreme series board features 1600 MHz front side bus and memory support. Supporting Core 2 Extreme processors featuring quad and dual-core processing and 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.
The DG35EC Classic series board is built with integrated graphics based on GMA X3500 integrated graphics. It includes HD video playback for movie clips and media streams without the need for an add-in video card and is the first to have integrated Microsoft DirectX10 capability with OpenGL 2.0 support.
Belonging to the new category of computers called Nettops – affordable desktop computing devices purpose-built for Internet-centric usage models–the D945GCLF board integrates a single unit of computer with a microprocessor, chipset, motherboard, and heat sink. Ideal for traditional channels to build and package into a full PC system for under Rs 12,000, 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. It will use the new Intel Atom processor and will be available towards the second-half of the year. |