X48 ?!!!

[NoobyDoo]

Intel X48 coming - slightly faster than X38

Rumors have started circulating about a chipset called X48 from Intel. It is supposedly an even better and faster chipset than X38 ...

 

[bryanW1995]

I saw a post about x48 the other day. I think it was a typo.

 

[Nickel020]

Supposedly they're handpicked X38s, so they run at better internal timings in the upper FSB regions or something.

 

[Skott]

Obviously Intel is working on better things but I would think there would be some models in between X38 and X48. Wouldnt there?

 

[MarcVenice]

Why would there be? P35 chipsets overclock like a mofo, if the x38 are anything like them, and the x48's are handpicked ones, there would be no reason to release anything between those too.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

CPU core speed is still KING. P35 is good enough for most people. No need to upgrade to X38/X48 unless you're obsessed with benchmarks. X38/X48 is worth a 5% price premium if it run cooler and overclock higher (5 to 7MHz) at the same Vcore setting.

I doubt if anyone can tell the difference between P35 and X38 under real-world conditions. I'd say the improvement is equivalent to adding another 50 to 70MHz of CPU core speed under ideal condition.

 

[NoobyDoo]

Intel to deliver X38 chipsets in mid-September and probably X48 parts by year-end,

Intel will officially start delivering its X38 chipsets in mid-September, enabling motherboard makers to begin volume production of X38-based motherboards by the end of this month, according to sources at the makers.
...
Intel also plans to launch an upgrade version of the chipset, the X48, by the end of the year with motherboard makers to begin delivering X48 motherboards to shelves in the first quarter of 2008, according to sources close to Intel's roadmap.
...
The X48 eventually will come with the same chip design as the X38 but will support 1600MHz FSB and DDR3 1600 memory, the sources stated.
Board makers will not be required to change any design work of X38-based motherboards since the X38 and X48 chipsets will use the same PCB (printed circuit board), said the sources, noting that the X38 could also support 1600MHz FSB and DDR3 1600 memory after overclocking.
Sources at Intel Taiwan, however, stated that the company would decide whether to launch an upgrade version of X38 chipset after evaluating the market reaction to the X38-based motherboards.