Intel Corp. on Tuesday introduced its chipset previously code-named Broadwater, which will support performance-mainstream platforms featuring yet-to-be-released Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The new core-logic is projected to offer increased performance by supporting high-speed PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 memory and some other enhancements.

So far Intel Corp. announced only the Intel P965 core-logic, which consists of P965 memory controller hub (MCH) and ICH8 I/O controller hub. Later during they year the chip giant is expected to unveil Intel G965 core-logic with built-in graphics core as well as Intel Q965 chipset, which is especially designed for multimedia-oriented computers, according to some sources. Intel itself already said that the new chipsets will enable never before seen features and performance.

“There is a tremendous amount of excitement and anticipation for our forthcoming server, desktop and notebook processors based on the Core micro-architecture. The message to the industry is simple: We are bringing a massive amount of new products and technologies to the market starting today that will change the game in terms of what technology can do for you,” said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel senior vice president and general manager, sales and marketing group.

Intel P965 MCH supports microprocessors with 533MHz, 800MHz or 1066MHz processor system bus, dual-channel DDR2 memory at up to 800MHz (PC2-6400) and can work with one PCI Express x16 graphics card. Intel said the new memory controller features technology called fast memory access, which allows to reduce the latencies of memory accesses. The new MCH, however, does not allow to use two graphics cards or support memory pipeline technology that accelerates data transfers between the processor and system memory, unlike the Intel 975X.

Intel’s new ICH8 brings support for 6 Serial ATA ports, 6 PCI Express x1 ports, 4 PCI slots, 10 USB 2.0 ports, high definition audio support, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, Intel quiet system technology (fan speed control) and other features. The new ICH8, however, does not support Parallel ATA natively.

The new Intel 965-series chipsets will form the basis of systems supporting the Intel® Viiv technology and Intel vPro technology platforms that will be increasingly powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Mr. Chandrasekher also disclosed that Intel will introduce the dual-core Intel Core 2 Extreme processor at speeds of 2.93GHz in July, and a faster 3.2GHz version later in the year.