Intel recently decided to strengthen its DDR-based chipset portfolio by introducing two new products, the discrete 845PE and integrated 845GE chipset, in September. The technical versions of the two chipsets are scheduled to be showcased at the Computex Taipei exhibition in early June. According to sources, the specifications of the two chipsets do not differ much from those of Intel’s 845E and 845G, except in support for DDR. The new 845PE and 845GE support the DDR333 platform, while the recently-launched 845E and 845G are designed based on the DDR266 standard. In the south bridge, all four chipsets are equipped with the same ICH4 chips. Although the two new chipsets will be quoted only US$3 higher than their DDR266-based counterparts, their launch is not necessarily welcome news to many motherboard makers, as Intel’s existing chipsets have already imposed great difficulties on them when designing related products. If taking products from VIA Technologies and Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) into consideration as well, motherboard companies are indeed facing problems developing and positioning their board products.