Intel unveils '3-Series' chipsets for 'Duo' and 'Quad' processors

[AppleInsider]

Speaking at the Computex computer trade show in Taipei this week, Intel Corporation Executive Vice President Sean Maloney unveiled a new 3-Series Chipset family along with several other plans surrounding the company's popular Intel Core 2 Duo and Quad processors for home and business users.

The world's largest chipmaker said the new products will enable a number of innovative features for today's PCs, such as greater performance, clearer definition video, and storage technologies that help better protect valuable data. The new chipsets are also designed to be used with the company's upcoming Intel 45 nanometer "Penryn family" processors expected later this year.

Maloney informed attendees that there are already more than 100 motherboard designs underway that will utilize the new technology, which he expects will become the fastest growing chipset family in Intel's history.

"There is a tremendous amount of excitement and anticipation for our forthcoming 45nm Hi-K processors based on the Intel Core microarchitecture," he said. "The Intel 3 Series chipsets lay the foundation for an exciting, media-rich experience for today's systems and those that arrive later this year."

Maloney also disclosed plans for an Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile processor product to be released in the third quarter of this year. The plan follows the company's Extreme Edition brand introduced for desktop PCs in 2003 and extends it to notebooks, which continue to be the fastest-growing computing market segment. The upcoming chip is targeted to be the chipmaker's highest-performing mobile dual-core processor that still includes energy-saving power features for notebook-friendly designs.

The Intel 3 Series Chipsets

The Intel 3 Series Chipsets, formerly codenamed "Bearlake," will enable "exceptional PC performance" while helping to improve energy efficiency, system design and quietness, Intel claims. Computers with these chipsets should deliver CE-like video and sound quality, while also offering new data security and manageability features for business users. As such, they'll form the foundation for Intel's next-generation Intel Viiv processor technology and Intel vPro processor technology, codenamed Salt Creek and Weybridge, respectively.

The Intel 3 Series Chipsets support DDR2 up to 800MHz, or DDR3 memory with data transfer speeds up to 1333 MHz, enabling speedy access to files and a more responsive PC. The chipsets also support PCI Express 2.0, which doubles the available bandwidth for graphics cards and are engineered to support Intel Turbo Memory which enables faster application loading and boot times.

The new chipsets will also offer versions with integrated graphics called the Intel G33 and G35 Express Chipsets. These products will include Intel Clear Video Technology which can enhance video playback and supports the High Definition Media Interface (HDMI). System manufacturers can also support HD DVD and Blu-ray* disc playback with these chipsets at a lower system cost than most discrete graphics cards. Additionally, the G35 integrates hardware support for MS DX10 for smoother, more realistic 3D applications.

The Intel G33 and P35 Express Chipsets have been shipping since April, while the Intel Q33 and Q35 Express Chipsets are shipping now ahead of their Q3'07 introduction. The Intel G35 Express Chipset and the advanced Intel X38 enthusiast chipset with dual graphics support will ship within 90 days, Intel said.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[aphyd]

Geez! Another reason for folks to 'wait' for the next big thang!

I can see all the threads now: "Should I buy now or wait for the new shiny flanmangoboshenanigan chips?"..............

[waytogobuddy]

"As such, they'll form the foundation for Intel's next-generation Intel Viiv processor technology and Intel vPro processor technology, codenamed Salt Creek and Weybridge, respectively"


Does this mean anythign at all?

[SpamSandwich]

It means that Apple needs to step up their product revisions.

[flinch13]

Progress. There you have it. Like the first bite of the first ripe peach of summer.

So much has changed since I bought my last mac. Less than two years, and my Powerbook G4 is now dinosaur. I used to think it was fast.

I'm complacent though. I know that when I get my next computer, all too soon will come a time when I'll be saying "The next one I get will be faster... it'll be a lot better."

I'm so bored. Like I could vomit. I'm that bored. I could just eat all of the paperwork on my desk. Just to have something to do. Really. Wow. So bored.

[Slewis]

Null.

[Rolo]

I need a new MBP now so don't want to wait for the next big thing. Yesterday's update seems like the last of the munimula series. The next one will probably be in January, an all new design utilizing Penryn on a verson of the Santa Rosa board. It'll look sleek and thin and be a bit lighter, a bit faster, and a bit cooler. The really cool new stuff comes out a year from now, though, and I don't want to wait another year.

I plan to get the SR MBP now, 2.4 gig w/160GB 7200 rpm drive, and be happy.

[Akac]

I'm going with the new MacBookPros today. First, its 2 gens past what I have now. Second when "3-series" comes out there will be the new bugs associated with that, so I'll wait 2 gens again and upgrade sometime late 2008. Perfect

[CoolHandPete]

Originally Posted by flinch13

Progress. There you have it. Like the first bite of the first ripe peach of summer.

So much has changed since I bought my last mac. Less than two years, and my Powerbook G4 is now dinosaur. I used to think it was fast.

I'm complacent though. I know that when I get my next computer, all too soon will come a time when I'll be saying "The next one I get will be faster... it'll be a lot better."

I'm so bored. Like I could vomit. I'm that bored. I could just eat all of the paperwork on my desk. Just to have something to do. Really. Wow. So bored.

Funny, though - I'm using my TiBook-800 (purchased July 2002) to type this message, and thus far, there has been nothing I have not been able to do with it, including large-sample statistical analyses, presentations, major writing projects and data management, internet research, etc. I'm not doing anything super-intensive, of course - but I have noticed very little slowdown in any of my applications in the nearly 5 years I've had this machine.

[Pascal007]

I'm sorry, but could someone explain what these new chips mean, really ? I'm frankly lost and I am not trying to be sarcastic at all... It seems to me all they bring is a faster platform... which is OK but hardly a surprise !

What's CE-like video ? Commercial Elephant ? Capitalistic Economy ? (Google only suggest "Windows-CE videos" when I ask...)

I have seen a few vPro computers already, but I have yet to see Viiv-based computers. Have I missed them ? Has this platform any success at all ?

[Mr. H]

Why's everyone talking about laptops? These chipsets are for Intel's desktop-variant Core 2 Duo CPUs, and as such there is currently no Apple machine into which these chipsets would go (iMac and Mac Mini use laptop parts, and the Mac Pro uses workstation parts).

Originally Posted by Pascal007

What's CE-like video ?

CE is "consumer electronics". Mid and high-end DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray stand-alone players deliver much higher video quality than most computers, and standalone CD players deliver much higher audio quality.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

Why's everyone talking about laptops? These chipsets are for Intel's desktop-variant Core 2 Duo CPUs, and as such there is currently no Apple machine into which these chipsets would go (iMac and Mac Mini use laptop parts, and the Mac Pro uses workstation parts).

Because some portable stuff was mentioned.

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Because some portable stuff was mentioned.

Yes, a Core 2 Duo "extreme", which is also unlikely to show in any laptop Macs, as Apple don't make any laptops thick enough.

However, I suppose it's possible that the chip could show up in the iMac.

So the question still remains: why is everyone talking about laptops?

[Rich-Myster]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

So the question still remains: why is everyone talking about laptops?

lol....

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by aphyd

Geez! Another reason for folks to 'wait' for the next big thang!

I can see all the threads now: "Should I buy now or wait for the new shiny flanmangoboshenanigan chips?"..............

Hehe, easy decision for me, I am flat broke, so I will wait.

[bobmarksdale]

Originally Posted by EagerDragon

Hehe, easy decision for me, I am flat broke, so I will wait.

Nice call. For me I'm going to get the new MBP right after WWDC in case apple throws any curveballs at us like Leopard in July or the iCoolerThanYou which will do anything you can ever possibly imagine and you can download hardware upgrades.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by Slewis

Bleh... just what we need, a Core 3 Duo.

It's not. Penryn et al will probably still be marketed under the Core 2 name, just as the Pentium 4 brand survived three process shrinks. This is about the chipset, and will replace the G/P965, the G/P945 and the 975X.

[BenRoethig]

Hopefully WWDC will introduce a G33/E4000 based Mini replacement and a P35/ E/Q6000 based Low End mac Pro

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Pascal007

I have seen a few vPro computers already, but I have yet to see Viiv-based computers. Have I missed them ? Has this platform any success at all ?

VIIV has been around, I've seen them at Sam's Club and Best Buy. It was intended to be a set of minimum standards with regard to what parts go into a media center, but I think just about everything Intel-based qualifies now.

[Slewis]

Null.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Slewis

These are Series 3 chips so says the article, I assume that means "Core 3 Duo"

I assumed it meant the 3xxx numbered budget CPUs.

At any rate, Pentium Who?

That model line got a bad rap, but I don't think it was anywhere nearly as bad as the reputation suggested.

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by Slewis

These are Series 3 chips so says the article, I assume that means "Core 3 Duo"

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I assumed it meant the 3xxx numbered budget CPUs.

No to both of these. Series 3 has nothing to do with CPUs. It is the marketing name for Intel's latest desktop motherboard chipsets.

[Royboy]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

No to both of these. Series 3 has nothing to do with CPUs. It is the marketing name for Intel's latest desktop motherboard chipsets.

Good explanation on chipset here: CHIPSET

[Slewis]

Null.

[system6]

The G35 chipset includes X3500 integrated graphics, which will be an excellent upgrade for Macbooks.

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by system6

The G35 chipset includes X3500 integrated graphics, which will be an excellent upgrade for Macbooks.

It'd be a terrible upgrade for the MacBooks. Because, for the umpteenth time, these are desktop chipsets. The X3000, part of the Santa Rosa Centrino platform, is for laptops. So once the MacBooks go Santa Rosa (presumably in a couple of months or so), expect them to have the X3000.

[DoctorRobert]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

It'd be a terrible upgrade for the MacBooks. Because, for the umpteenth time, these are desktop chipsets. The X3000, part of the Santa Rosa Centrino platform, is for laptops. So once the MacBooks go Santa Rosa (presumably in a couple of months or so), expect them to have the X3000.

You mean X3100

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by DoctorRobert

You mean X3100

Huh. When did they change the name of it? Presumably when they started actually selling Santa-Rosa chips? It was definitely called the X3000 before launch. Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.

[BenRoethig]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

Huh. When did they change the name of it? Presumably when they started actually selling Santa-Rosa chips? It was definitely called the X3000 before launch. Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.

x3000 is the desktop version.

[mjteix]

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

x3000 is the desktop version.

It's a little bit more complicated than that:
- Q963/965 desktop chipsets have Intel's GMA 3000 (software acceleration, 256MB VRAM...)
- G965 desktop chipset has Intel's GMA X3000 (hardware acceleration, 384MB VRAM...)
- G31/G33 new desktop chipsets have Intel's GMA 3100
- GM965 mobile chipset (santa rosa) has Intel's GMA X3100
- G35 desktop chipset will have Intel's GMA X3500 (DirectX10 compatible...)

[system6]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

It'd be a terrible upgrade for the MacBooks. Because, for the umpteenth time, these are desktop chipsets. The X3000, part of the Santa Rosa Centrino platform, is for laptops. So once the MacBooks go Santa Rosa (presumably in a couple of months or so), expect them to have the X3000.

Funny you should say that . I think it is reasonable to expect there will be a version of GMA X3500 for notebooks. Apple may decide to skip X3100 altogether.