Intel is meant to start sampling its upcoming X48 chipset to motherboard manufacturers this week according to information we've got. There's still some three months before motherboards based on the new chipset will be available.

Interestingly, none of the motherboard manufacturers we've talked to seem to know anything about this chipset, or maybe we've just not talked to the right people.

The X48 well be a refresh of the X38 chipset and the official launch date is some time in Q1 next year, although we're hearing January and some boards might even trickle out earlier than that.