The chipmaker's new lineup, which comes at a time when the Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor is struggling to keep its chipset revenue from taking a deeper nosedive, include the Intel 845G, 845E, and 845GL, all with built-in graphics and faster data transfer capabilities.

The 845 and 845GL are intended for Intel's Celeron processor, whereas the 845G is aimed at more high-end home and business PCs with Pentium 4 processors.

Already available on the retail market, the trio of chipsets include Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, a data transport technology that enables faster connections to digital devices and increases bandwidth up to 40 times more than the average USB 1.1 interface.

Rising to meet the current popularity of digital devices like digital cameras, Intel's new lineup balances the overall platform performance of the Pentium 4 processor's speed and makes it easier for users to edit and play digital video, view and edit family photos, handle larger digital files, play games, and listen to music.

All of Intel's new chipsets enable surround-sound with 20-bit audio.

Additionally, USB 2.0 enables users to burn CDs six times faster than normal and back up data 11 times faster, and in the case of the Intel 845G, incorporate integrated graphics called "Intel Extreme Graphics."

Intel estimates that by the end of this year, 60 percent of U.S. households with an Internet connection will own a digital camera, a number that is double that of the previous year.

"Today's announcement reaffirms Intel's commitment to advancing the PC platform, " said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group. "With the introduction of these products, we are enabling stable, robust PCs that offer easier connections to digital devices as well as faster transfer and manipulation of digital photos, music, and video."

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Intel's new chipsets will be sold in thousand-unit quantities and are all priced below $50.00.

Intel shares took a $1.01 fall today, landing at $30.19.