ASUSTeK Computer, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mainboards, has started distribution of mainboards intended for yet unannounced Intel Pentium 4 processors with 1066MHz processor system bus. The new core-logic that powers the platform – i925XE – along with the new chips are expected to deliver performance higher than that of today’s high-performance components.

ASUS’ new P5AD2-E Premium mainboard is powered by Intel’s forthcoming i925XE memory controller hub and ICH6R I/O controller, supports up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, 1 PCI Express x16, 2 PCI Express x1, 3 PCI slots. The platform is also equipped with Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b,g WLAN card, Serial ATA and Parallel ATA RAID controllers, USB 2.0 as well as FireWire ports.

The manufacturer also equipped its new product with a set of technologies that boost performance, such as dynamic graphics cards overclocking capability called PEG Link as well as DDR2 memory overclocking option that allows DDR2 SDRAM to operate at 711MHz when a processor with 1066MHz processor system bus is installed.

Intel Corp. is expected to introduce its i925XE core-logic along with Intel Pentium 4 3.46GHz processor with 2MB L3 cache and 1066MHz Quad Pumped Bus in November. But some stores in Tokyo, Japan, already sell ASUSTeK’s new P5AD2-E Premium product for $347 - $376, according to Akiba PC Hotline, which is unbelievable price for a mainboard.

Earlier this year Intel scrapped plans to introduce Intel Pentium 4 4.0GHz processor as a result of potential inability to supply such chips in volume. Instead, the world’s largest chipmaker is expected to produce central processing units with large, 2MB, L2 caches as well as accelerated processor system bus.

Intel typically expresses negative attitude whenever its mainboard or retail partners start to sell products ahead of Intel’s product launch.