Intel announced specification change for the yet unannounced chipsets E7320, E7520, E7525. The spec modification is pretty strange, as the core-logic sets code-named Tumwater and Lindenhurst are not officially unveiled yet.

The yet unannounced E7520, E7320 and E7525 MCH chips have undergone certain changes that are reflected in C2 stepping, the version of the chips that is more mature compared to the C1 presumably available now at hands of mainboard producers. The C2 revision is pin-to-pin compatible with the C1 and does not require any regression testing or mainboard re-design, according to the information spread among Intel’s partners on Friday.

Intel will release its Lindenhurst chipset – also known as E7520 – for dual-way server applications powered by code-named Xeon “Nocona” and eventually Irwindale processors in the third quarter of the year, according to the most recent plans of the chip giant revealed by unofficial sources. The chipsets were also meant to support the now-canned Jayhawk product. The E7520 aka Lindenhurst core-logic will support Intel Xeon processors with 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus, dual-channel PC2700 DDR and PC2-3200 DDR2 SDRAM memory with ECC support. Besides, the E7520 will bring PCI Express x8 as well as PCI Express x4 into server solutions in addition to direct connect LAN and storage components. The bringer of innovations will cost $84 in 1000 unit quantities at launch in Q2 2004. Our sources also indicated Intel’s plans to offer a cut-down version of the E7520 – the Lindenhurst VS aka E7320 – that will be priced at $70.

Intel E7525 aka Tumwater core-logic coming in the same timeframe will add PCI Express x16 bus for graphics to features brought by E7520/E7320 as well as some other peculiarities of solutions for workstations. The product will be reportedly quoted at $100 in commercial quantities.

Intel said that there is no impact to the functionality or any other important peculiarities of the MCH chips.

Officials from Intel did not immediately returned email seeking for comments on the possible delay of commercial products based on E7520, E7320 and E7525 as well as the nature of the modifications.