Intel's 'Bearlake' chipset family, due to debut in Q2 2007, will bring Intel's 9xx chipset naming scheme to an end, reports coming out of the Far East suggest. Instead, Intel will apparently code what will ship as the 3x Express series according to market position and feature set.

So, the business-oriented models, which will play into Intel's vPro platform, will be the Q33 and the Q35. The X38 will be pitched at gamers - like the Core 2 Extreme processor line it'll be partnered with.

As before, the mainstream parts will be branded P or G, depending on whether they have a built in graphics core or not. So, as before the discrete P35 will be accompanied by the integrated G35 and G33, the former with a higher spec GPU core.

Specs-wise the X38 supports twin x16 PCI Express 2.0 slots, can cope with 800MHz DDR 2 and DDR 3 clocked at up to 1,333MHz. It runs a 1,333MHz frontside bus. Past reports have indicated it will support the HDCP anti-rip system.

Like the X38, the G35 is expected to ship in Q3 2007. It adds a DirectX 10-compatible graphics core, and will support 800MHz DDR 2 and 1,066MHz DDR 3. It too will run a 1,333MHz FSB, as will Q2's G33 and P35.

The Q series are expected to match the G line for functionality, but add vPro-friendly technologies like Advanced Management Technology. ®