Intel is set to release the next-generation 8 series chipsets along with Haswell-based processors in April 2013, and since the current-generation Ivy Bridge-based processors and their 7 series chipsets were only released in April 2012, while PC demand in third-quarter 2012 is rather weak, motherboard makers believe Ivy Bridge's shipments should reach their peak in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Since consumers may start waiting for Haswell-based products in the first quarter of 2013, sources from motherboard makers pointed out that Ivy Bridge may become the Intel notebook platform with the shortest lifecycle in recent years.
Haswell will adopt a 22nm process with an improved architecture, while its interface will also change from LGA1155 to LGA1150, greatly enhancing in both calculation and graphics performance. Since LGA1150 is not backward compatible, users will need to purchase 8 series chipset-based motherboards to run the new processors.
In April 2013, Intel will first launch performance- and mainstream-level Haswell processors, and will release Z87 and H87 to replace the existing Z77, Z75 and H77 chipsets. The entry-level H81 chipsets will be released in June 2013 to replace the existing H61 chipset.
For enterprise chipsets, Intel will release Q87, Q85 and B85 with Q87 to also support Intel's vPro technology.
Intel to release next-generation CPU platform in 2Q13
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes file photo
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
