A blurry image of an Intel Z990 platform controller hub has surfaced online, revealing physical dimensions that suggest a smaller footprint than its predecessor. The leaked photo provides the first visual confirmation of the chip's layout before any official product announcements.
Leaked photo reveals physical dimensions and power draw figures for the upcoming platform controller hub.
The chipset targets desktop motherboard designs and sits alongside Intel's existing Z890 tier for high-end processors. This new component appears to position itself within the same generation of platform hardware while introducing distinct physical changes.
Measurements from the leaked image indicate a package size of 25 by 24 millimeters. The die area itself measures approximately 11.15 by 6.5 millimeters, resulting in a total die surface of roughly 72.5 square millimeters. These figures represent an approximate 8.8 percent reduction in package area and a 22 percent decrease in die area compared to the Z890 model.
Power consumption data accompanying the leak shows a base thermal design power of 7.9 watts. The chip can draw up to 14 watts when configured with full PCIe 5.0 support enabled. This typical power draw exceeds the official base power specification of the Z890 by 1.9 watts.
Industry analysis suggests Intel is implementing a tiered strategy for its upcoming chipset lineup. Leaked figures point toward a lower-tier Z970 model rumored to operate around 6.4 watts, while the Z990 handles more demanding input and output configurations.
The hardware details remain unconfirmed by Intel and originate solely from online leaks. No official pricing or release dates have been provided for the Z990 platform controller hub.
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