Intel develops two new enthusiast desktop motherboard chipsets: the Z990 and Z970. These chipsets support the upcoming Core Ultra Series 4 "Nova Lake-S" processors. The new processors require an LGA1954 socket, necessitating a motherboard upgrade for users.
Intel aims to make enthusiast features, such as CPU overclocking, accessible to a broader market segment by releasing two high-end chipsets. The Z990 and Z970 are expected to differ primarily in I/O capabilities.
The premium Z990 may feature more platform PCIe lanes and a wider chipset bus. In contrast, the Z970 could offer fewer lanes. The Z970 retains key enthusiast features like overclocking, providing a more cost-effective option for performance users.