Intel Corp. has not updated its Intel 975X core-logic for enthusiast-class computers for nearly two years now, but in the final quarter of 2007 the world’s largest chipmaker is projected to reveal two new chipsets for high-performance desktops. While the first one – Intel X38 – has been in the plans for months, the second one – Intel X48 – comes at a surprise.

Intel plans to unveil its long-awaited Intel X38 chipset shortly from now, bringing official support for dual-channel PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333MHz), PCI Express 2.0 bus with multi-GPU technology support and some other performance improvements. The rumoured Intel X48 core-logic is planned to be available by the end of the year and also bring support for 1600MHz processor system bus (PSB) as well as PC3-12800 (DDR3 1600MHz) in addition to features already available on Intel X38, reports DigiTimes web-site.

Currently several dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processors do use 1333MHz processor system bus, but only one quad-core chip – Intel Core 2 Extreme X6850 – features such PSB speed. Earlier this year Intel announced that it would pump up processor system bus speed of Intel Xeon processors to 1.60GHz.

Intel has not unveiled plans to use 1600MHz PSB for desktop processors, nevertheless, it is possible that the company will use it for its forthcoming Extreme-series central processing units. It is not obvious, however, whether Intel really plans to release a chipset for one or two processors from the Extreme family. On the other hand, Intel still needs a core-logic to support its V8 platform based on two future quad-core Intel Xeon processors.

Previously Intel tended not to have two enthusiast-class chipsets with similar capabilities in the lineup in order not to confuse end-users.

Officials from Intel did not comment on the news-story.