14 DAY TRIAL // Recently, a new round of rumors regarding Intel's next-generation mainstream and entry-level chipset, codenamed Ibex Peak, has surfaced. It looks like the upcoming chipset, due to be released in Q3 2009, is to be used for four of the company's future platforms, including the Nehalem-supporting Calpella, which is Intel's next-generation mobile platform.
According to a leaked slide posted on the Expreview website, the upcoming chipset is slated for an August/September 2009 release, although, in order to achieve this launch date, two features will not be supported, namely TrustedUSB and Trusted PS2 input.
The following features are also uncertain: Enhancements for Intel Remote Wake Technology, Sentry Peak, HDMI Codec Content Protection and Intel Standard Manageability. On the other hand, the leaked slide displays an impressive range of supporting features, including an abundance of video outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and SDVO. There's also a high number of security features, including a highly interesting Intel Remote PC Assist Technology.
According to sources cited by Digitimes, this feature will allow system vendors to remotely diagnose and solve costumers' PC problems, thus improving operational efficiency. This will basically allow vendors to lower their warranty costs and to save more time by eliminating the need to send out technicians. The remote diagnostics technology will be paired with the Intel Connect Service that will be used as the conduit through which encrypted data is transferred.
The leaked slide also provides details about the chipset's supported interface, which includes up to 6 SATA ports, 8 PCI Express 2.0 ports and no less than 14 USB 2.0 ports.
The information is yet to be officially confirmed and we could probably hear of some important changes before the chipset is released in the year to come. Until the Ibex Peak and Calpella notebook platform make their debuts, Intel's next big release is its Core i7 processors.