The new platform is supposed to last through 2014. It uses the new LGA1150 socket, requiring new chipsets and new boards from the current 7 series chipset tailored for Ivy and Sandy Bridge Core processors.

The new overclocking king of Haswell chipsets is simply called Z87 and is represents the top breed of Intel’s 8-series desktop chipsets. It can support either PCIe 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8+ 2x4, something that should satisfy most gamers. The new chipset comes with integrated voltage regulators, I/O port flexibility (SATA,USB 3, PCIe ), comes with integrated triple display support via Haswell processor, HDMI, DVI, DP and eDP as well as good old VGA.

Intel will introduce Rapid Storage Technology 12 that includes fast sync streaming, Lake Tiny tech, UEFI fast boot support, SATA 6 Gb/s support, Raid 0/1/5/10, rapid recovery technology, smart responsive technology as well as TRIM on Raid 0 SSD configurations.

It doesn’t come with small business advantage technology support, Intel has the H87 for small business users, but it does include 14 USBs of which 4 are USB 3.0 ports. Of course, 6 SATA 6Gb/s, eight PCI express 2.0 5GT/s. two DIMM modules per channel are supported and the new chipset should also be good for overclocking.

Let’s not forget the Gigabit Ethernet MAC. Of course this chipset should be ready by Q1 2013 to meet the launch of the Haswell CPUs scheduled for Q2 2013.