Intel is preparing to give its next-generation Core Ultra Series 4 “Nova Lake-S” desktop processors not one, but two enthusiast-segment desktop motherboard chipsets, the Z990 and Z970. The new processors introduce Socket LGA1954, which will require a motherboard upgrade. The idea behind segmenting Z990 and Z970 to succeed the current Z890 is to probably bring enthusiast features such as CPU overclocking to a wider market segment.
There is no word on how the Z990 and Z970 are differentiated, but VideoCardz reports that the Z970 is based on a physically smaller chip resembling the mid-tier B960 chipset that succeeds the current B860. The difference between the two could hence be I/O. The Z990 could feature a larger number of platform PCIe lanes, and have a wider 8-lane DMI…