Intel has introduced a dual-socket motherboard for PC makers that want to offer gamers and graphics professionals a high-powered machine that leverages two quad-core processors and multiple graphics cards.

Formerly code-named Skulltrail, the Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform was introduced Tuesday at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. The platform comprises the Desktop Board D5400XS and two Core 2 Extreme QX9775 processors and can support Crossfire or SLI graphics cards from ATI or Nvidia, respectively. ATI is owned by Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices.

Besides fans of PC games, the new platform is targeted for computers used by 3-D animators, digital audio artists, and high-definition video editors who create video games for consoles and desktops. The need for high-definition video encoding and editing with PCs is expected to grow in parallel with higher adoption of HD content in the consumer market.

HD movies and games are expected to become more popular among consumers, now that the format war between Sony-backed Blu-ray and Toshiba-backed HD DVD has ended. Major retailers and studios have dropped support for the latter in favor of Blu-ray.

The Core 2 Extreme QX 9775 processor includes 12 MB of L2 cache, a 1,600-MHz system bus, and four cores running at 3.2 GHz. For enthusiasts who need more speed, the processor's bus-ratio locks have been removed, so the clock speed can be ratcheted higher.

The QX9775 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,499. Estimated street pricing for the Desktop Board D5400XS is $649. Platform components are sold separately. PC manufacturers planning to offer systems with the new platform include Armari, Boxx Tech, Digital Storm, Falcon Northwest, Maingear, Puget Systems, Scan, Velocity Micro, Vigor Gaming, Voodoo, and @Xi Computers.