Intel is preparing its 6-series desktop chipsets including Q67, Q65, B65, H67 and P67 for a first-quarter 2011 launch. Of the new chipsets, the H67 and P67 will mainly target the consumer market.

In related news, Intel is in the process of streamlining its CPU marketing labels for motherboard packaging with plans to get rid of the current multiple logos for each series of CPU supported e.g. i3, i5, i7, in favor of a single "Intel Core CPU" message. The plans are expected to be implemented starting in the third quarter of 2010.

However, Intel will keep the Core i7 label for motherboards that are capable of running its Core i7 Extreme CPUs.

Intel commented that the changes will only affect motherboard boxes, and will not affect messaging for desktops and notebooks.

• Intel Pine Trail
• Intel Arrandale Released and Reviewed 

With its high-speed transfer capability, the µPD720200 host controller makes it possible to expand the boundaries of digital appliances such as PCs, digital TVs, and DVD recorders. The new SuperSpeed USB 3.0 chip from NEC Electronics requires only 70 seconds to transfer 25 GB of video content on a blu-ray disc, compared to 14 minutes to transfer the same content when using the high-speed USB 2.0 with 480 Mbps transfer capability. This enormous increase in transfer speed will enable system designers to transfer large-volume data quickly and without stress and develop a new generation of high-performance consumer electronic products.

USB is the next-generation interface standard used in a wide range of electronic devices including PCs and PC peripherals. Originally designed as an interface for relatively low-speed computer peripherals, USB made it possible to connect keyboards, mice, and other devices with the same USB standard cables. Later, version 2.0 of the standard defined a high-speed transfer mode that made USB a practical and popular interface for devices such as digital televisions, digital cameras, and DVD recorders. USB version 3.0 builds on this success by offering a ten-fold increase in speed, for stress-free transfers of large volumes of data.

The high data transfer rate also offers compatibility with recent high-performance computer interfaces such as PCI Express and SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), which are capable of data transfer at speeds in excess of 3 Gbps. As a member of the USB Implementers Forum since 1996, NEC Electronics has played a leading role both in defining the USB standards and in developing USB technology. In 2000, the company launched the µPD720100, the world's first USB 2.0-compliant host controller chip. It has also developed hub controllers and an extensive lineup of other USB devices, all of which are certified to display the USB logo. As a result, the company has won the trust of the marketplace and shipped 161 million USB devices as of March 2009. NEC Electronics expects the market for USB 3.0 products to begin a rapid expansion in 2010. It intends to market the new µPD720200 USB 3.0 controller aggressively, and to offer a range of related products by incorporating USB 3.0 communications as an IP (intellectual property) core function in various application specific ICs.

Please refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of µPD720200.

Pricing and Availability
Samples of NEC Electronics' µPD720200 host controller are expected to be available in June 2009 at US$15 each, along with free Windows device driver software. Monthly production is expected to reach approximately 1,000,000 units in September 2009. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. More information can be found at http://www.necel.com/usb/en/index.html.

Exhibition at SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference
NEC Electronics plans to exhibit the µPD720200 USB 3.0 host controller in its booth at the SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference to be held in Tokyo, Japan from May 20-21, 2009.

Nvidia is planning to launch its MCP7A IGP chipset featuring its GeForce 9-series graphics core by the end of September, according to sources at motherboard makers.

The MCP7A will come in two versions, the MCP7A-U with a GeForce 9400 graphics core and the MCP7A-S with GeForce 9300 graphics. The two versions have the same specifications except the GeForce 9400 features a core frequency of 580MHz and shader frequency of 1500MHz, while the GeForce 9300 will be clocked at 450MHz and 1200MHz, according to previous reports.

Jong stated that Nvidia's MCP business is as strong as it ever has been for both AMD and Intel platforms, and pointed out that Mercury Research reported Nvidia's market share on AMD platforms was 60% last quarter. The company added that SLI was still the preferred multi-GPU platform and that the nForce 790i SLI is the recommended choice by editors worldwide.

Nvidia is looking forward to bringing new and very exciting MCP products to the market for both AMD and Intel platforms, Jong stated.

A previous Digitimes report cited sources as saying that Nvidia was planning to exit the PC chipset business.

Intel is delaying the launch schedule of its P45 chipset from originally in May to mid-June, according to sources at motherboard makers.

The delay of the chipset is due to problems over compatibility between the chipset's PCI Express x16 port and graphics cards, noted the sources, adding that Intel has notified them that the problem should be solved and ready to launch 2-4 weeks behind the original launch schedule.

Some motherboard makers pointed out that the delay will give them more time to clear up their P35 inventory, however, the comparability problem will surely damage Intel's image over technological development.

Intel will now announce the P45 chipset during Computex 2008, however, actual motherboard shipments will not begin until mid-June, noted the sources.

Nvidia reportedly was in talks with VIA Technologies about a possible acquisition, but no deal was made due to the high price named by VIA, according to sources at motherboard makers.

Nvidia and VIA discussed three possible scenarios, including a strategic alliance, acquisition of only VIA's processor division, or the acquisition of the entire company, according to the sources. Though no deal was agreed upon, since VIA continues to see losses, the company is expected to open up negotiations again soon with a lower price, noted the sources.

VIA has denied the speculation about an acquisition by Nvidia and pointed out that the company currently does not have a plan to reduce its capital as recent reportsin Chinese-language media have suggested. The company said that its main business is still focused on x86 CPUs and chipsets and therefore will not give up these segments.

Intel has informed motherboard makers that it will definitely launch its X48 chipset in mid March, two months later than its original launch date, according to industry sources. The X48 chipset was originally slated for launch in January, but Intel pushed it back as inventory of X38 had yet to be cleared, the sources said.

Some makers, such as Gigabyte Technology and Micro-Star International (MSI), have already announced details of their X48 motherboards, but Intel's delay in officially launching the new chipset is preventing the mobo makers from setting shipping schedules of their new motherboards.

But Intel has told motherboard makers that the mid March launch date is definite, and there will be no more delays, the sources claimed. As X48 will be launched in mid March, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 that the chipset supports will not be available until then, the sources said.

The chipset will also feature 3-way SLI and Hybrid SLI technology and support DDR3 memory. Motherboard makers generally expect DDR3 memory pricing will start to drop in the third quarter of 2008. The nForce 790i is positioned by Nvidia as a high-end product and so the motherboard should attract high-end gamers who will be willing to pay a premium for DDR3 memory.

The nForce 790i will be released in two versions, nForce 790i Ultra SLI and nForce 790i SLI. The difference between the two is that the former has better overclocking ability and will support SLI memory modules up to DDR3 2000, the sources detailed.