New Intel Chipset Sets the Stage for Quad Core

Recently Intel announced its Intel 3 Series Chipset formerly known as Bearlake. This chipset is designed for the upcoming quadcore MPU code named Penryn, Intel’s first MPU in 45nm.

Intel 3 will be known as the X38 and G35 Express Chipset. This family will feature a front side bus (FSB) of 1,333 MHz and support DDR3-1333. Parts will be rolled out over the course of a few months from 2Q ’07 to 3Q ’07. The chipset is manufactured on Intel’s 90nm process. There will be several family members that will cover the spectrum of desktop market segments. This is a departure for Intel. Previously, older chipsets would be transitioned slowly out of the market by migrating down through the lower cost PC segments.

The nomenclature includes a key letter to distinguish some basic feature.

X: extreme processor (e.g., high end gaming systems), no integrated graphics core

P: channel processor, focus on performance of memory controller, no integrated graphics core.

Q: Business (Stable Image Platform), security and manageability features (vPro), with integrated graphics

G: Mainstream, consumer and business, with integrated graphics.

Semico Spin

What is quite notable about this recent chipset development is that Intel is able to achieve the performance level it needs for its upcoming quad core MPU with a process that is two generations behind the MPU. The current chipsets are at 90nm supporting 65nm MPUs. The rapid deployment planned for this next chipset is also impressive. One can expect a quick transition to 65nm chipsets as the 45nm MPUs ramp up in higher volume sometime in 2008.