Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/2541
Intel Launches Low-Power 65nm 4 Series Chipsets for the Desktop
by Kris Boughton on June 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Intel Corporation has chosen the opening day of the 28th annual Computex trade show – the international electronics and technology information event held once a year in Taipei, Taiwan – to launch their next-generation 4 Series Express chipset family for mainstream desktop PCs. Consisting of the Intel P45, G45, P43, and G43 Express Chipsets, these new 4-series chipsets bring advancement in capabilities intended to satisfy even the most demanding gamers, power users, and HD video and audio aficionados alike. Among other advancements, Intel 4 Series Express chipsets (with the exception of X48), along with new 45nm dual- and quad-core CPUs scheduled for launch in the second half of 2008, will also introduce support for new low-power states intended to usher in a new era of energy efficient computing.
The 4-series chipset line will be manufactured exclusively using Intel's time-tested 65nm process technology, marking the first time Intel's PCI-E and memory core logic circuits have been scaled below 90nm. Nehalem, Intel's first CPU microarchitecture to incorporate an on-die integrated memory controller (IMC), will take this one step further by shrinking the transistor body length in these circuits down to just 45nm. Given the enormous costs associated with any manufacturing process change and the devastating implications an early failure would have on Intel's public confidence level, its no wonder they are being extreme cautious about this move. Anyone that needs any more convincing on this matter need only see what's happened to AMD as a results of their decision to be more aggressive than Intel in their quest for the production of the world's first "true" quad-core CPU. Indeed, it makes far more sense for Intel to test out just how well their current memory controller design works at 65nm before they go for the coup de grâce with the shrink to 45nm.
As far as graphics go, G45 is expected to be G35 on steroids; don't expect any big differences between this generation of chipsets and last.
With the Intel PR bunnies officially hard at work in Taiwan gushing forth the merits of this new line of chipsets, we would expect to see products from the usual manufactures appearing on retail shelves any day now. We brought you an early, first-hand look at some of the more measurable P45 performance figures last month when we spotlighted the ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe, but since then we have not had any other motherboard vendors come forward with product for review. If there was any truth to the rumor that Intel re-spun the P45 silicon one last time (the fabled A3 revision) in order to address a particularly nasty PCI-E graphics bug, then that would certainly explain the apparent lack of boards. It takes time to get freshly-made chipsets to Tier-1 partners and it's easy to miss product launches with the availability of actual product when trying to deal with last minute delays.
Each of the new Intel 4 Series chipsets supports a maximum validated front side bus (FSB) speed of 1333MT/s (333MHz) and dual-channel DDR3 memory technology up to 1066MHz. We've seen this before, and in fact this main-bus-to-memory-bus configuration reminds us of the Intel Mobile PM/GM965 chipset and its support for 800MHz FSB processors and a maximum memory speed of just DDR2-667. Given this, it's not too hard to imagine these 4-series chipsets were created with the intention of being the first real, viable replacements for notebook OEMs looking to use something other than aging PM/GM965 chipsets with their now-outdated GMA X3100 integrated GPUs. The mere mention of chipset low-power states should be enough to justify this conclusion. We didn't say it before but we'll say it now: the new 45nm CPUs expected to appear later this year will almost certainly be of the low-power mobile type.
If you look at it in the right light the G45-based platform block diagram looks like any other.
When you put it all together – the same-day public introduction of the 45nm Intel Atom CPU (with integrated GMA 500 graphics), the 4 Series Express chipsets' power-saving manufacturing process change to 65nm (down from 90nm), the rumored late-2008 availability of low-power dynamically-adjustable 45nm Core2 (mobile) CPUs, and Intel's almost frantic need to address NVIDIA's Tegra GPUs for ultra-mobile devices as well as their new 780a-based platform with Hybrid-SLI technology – it's not hard to see why these chipsets needed to launch right now. Intel desperately needs an extremely flexible, HD-capable GPU if they plan on staying competitive with NVIDIA, and they hope the GMA X4500HD will be just that. Whether or not this ends up the case remains to be seen, but as the lines separating traditional PC technologies and consumer electronics devices continue to blur, Intel and NVIDIA are all but guaranteed to become increasingly competitive on this front.
Of course, if we are right, the corollary to all of this is rather disappointing news for overclockers and performance enthusiasts. In that case, the 4 Series Express chipset launch cannot be seen as anything other than a move by Intel to gain a much larger share of the embedded-GPU device market. Low-cost, low-power, and high-performance are rarely seen in the same sentence together and knowing this we really can't fault Intel for not giving us a chipset that smashes the already exceptional X48 performance figures out of the park. Except for a few highly-specialized rouge benchmarks, don't expect a P45-based system to outpace any X48 board worth its salt, at least not by any significant margin. For those that choose a P45 board over a comparably equipped X48 board, the most you can really hope for is a small costs savings, probably on the order of $40 to $60.
Let's finish up our look at these new 4 Series chipsets by examining a few of the features and improvements closer. Those that are looking to build their next High Definition Home Theater PC (HTPC) might just see something worth investigating.
What's New and Improved
Intel Series 4 Chipset Overview | |||
Intel X48 Express | Intel P45/P43 Express | Intel G45/G43 Express | |
Processor Support | Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, and Core 2 Duo Processors | ||
FSB Support | 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz | 1333/1066/800 MHz | |
DIMMs per Channel/ Number of Memory Channels |
2 DIMMs/2 Channels | ||
Memory Performance Optimizations | Intel Fast Memory Access Technology | ||
Memory Type/ Memory Speed |
DDR3 up to 1600 (XMP) DDR3 up to 1333 DDR2 up to 800 |
DDR3 up to 1066 DDR2 up to 800 |
|
Integrated Graphics | n/a | n/a | Intel GMA X4500HD* |
DirectX Support | n/a | n/a | DirectX 10, DirectX 9 |
Additional Graphics Features | n/a | n/a | Intel Clear View Technology |
Discrete Graphics | PCI-E 2.0 2x16 | PCI-E 2.0 1x16 or 2x8** | PCI-E 2.0 1x16 |
PCI-E (ICH Only) | (6) x1 | ||
ICH Support | ICH9(R) | ICH10(R) | |
IDE/ATA Support | SATA 3GB/s (6 ports), eSATA, Port Disable | ||
Storage Technology | Intel Matrix Sotrage Technology (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) Intel Rapid Recover Technology |
||
NAND Technology | Intel Turbo Memory | ||
USB Ports Controllers | 12 USB 2.0 Ports, 2 EHCI Controller, Post Disable | ||
Audio | Intel HD Audio | ||
LAN | Integrated Intel GbE MAC | ||
Manageability | ASF 2.0 | ||
Intel Quiet System Technology | Yes |
* G43 - Intel GMA X4500 variant
8GB of DDR3 Memory or 16GB of DDR2 Memory – Take Your Pick
As we mentioned before, the new Intel 4 Series Express chipsets support a total of 8GB of DDR3 memory at speeds of up to DDR3-1066 (667MHz). Individual motherboard manufactures are also free to develop products that feature an Intel 4 Series Express chipset and legacy DDR2 memory technology for consumers looking for low-cost alternatives to more expensive DDR3 modules. As an aside, with the exception of X48, all Intel 4 Series Express chipsets are officially able to address up to 16GB of DDR2 memory (but only 8GB of DDR3), making G43 an attractive candidate for consideration when it comes to assembling a 64-bit single-socket budget server.
PCI-E 2.0 Graphics and CrossFire(X) Support
Intel 4 Series chipsets are fully PCI-E 2.0 compliant, which increases the maximum theoretical bandwidth of any installed PCI-E 2.0-enabled component by a factor of two. However, unlike X48, P45 only provides 16 PCI-E 2.0 lanes, so AMD/ATI CrossFire setups will only receive half the bandwidth relative to an X38/X48 board. How much that actually impacts dual-GPU performance is still a topic of debate, as the PCI-E bandwidth generally does not seem to be the major limiting factor.
Unlike G45/P43/G43, P45's PCI-E 2.0 ports can be configured for either 1x16 or 2x8 operation, which is different from past mainstream/performance segment chipsets like P35 and P965 where it was impossible to directly connect more than one add-in graphics card to the Northbridge PCI-E resources. In this respect, P45 provides something new, allowing discerning gamers building on a budget the opportunity to experience multi-GPU 3D graphics acceleration without the need for an absolute top-end motherboard. Given time, P45 platforms could become quite the powerhouse when it comes to putting together an inexpensive CrossFire(X) gaming system. Systems based on either G45, P43, or G43 are left to 1x16 PCI-E lane configurations only, meaning they may not make very suitable gaming systems if you plan to install more than one PCI-E video card.
GMA X4500HD - DisplayPort and HDMI 1.3 Join the Fray
The G45 Express chipset represents the first major upgrade to Intel integrated graphics since G35 and features the updated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X4500HD. X4500HD promises to deliver full hardware-accelerated High Definition (HD) video decode capabilities for Blu-ray discs as well as other popular HD standards such as H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, VC-1, and WMV9. G45 also includes Intel Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the already breathtaking image quality of high-resolution HD content. Advanced Digital Display Support, which has matured since its last appearance with G35, allows a broad range of digital displays to be connected including Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.3, and DisplayPort at 720p, 1080i, and 1080p with up to eight channels of uncompressed audio. Naturally, that also means support for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), as well as dual independent displays.
The HDMI 1.3 specification increases the interface's maximum single-link bandwidth speed to 340MHz (10.2 Gbps), up from the minimum 165Mpixel/second rate needed to support 1080p at 60Hz (1920x1080). Support for deeper color profiles is also new, with earlier HDMI revisions only allowing for up to 8-bit colors. HDMI 1.3 brings 10-bit, 12-bit, and even 16-bit (RGB or YPrPb) color depths to the table allowing for a color palette of billions of colors. Those that purchase HDMI 1.3-compliant products may also notice the incorporation of a new mini connector intended to reduce the already small HDMI connector form factor for more efficient placement in today's small portable device market. Consumers will be happy to learn that HDMI 1.3 incorporates a new "Lip Sync" feature permitting automatic audio-to-video synchronizing capabilities without the need for user interaction. Finally, although the latest specification includes the ability to transmit compressed digital audio (Dolby Digital and DTS) and uncompressed digital audio (LPCM), the new standard adds support for the newest lossless compressed digital audio signals such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
Hardware Support for OpenGL 2.0 Graphics… Almost
While not the first DirectX 10 part from Intel, the X4500HD integrated graphics engine has been built from the ground up to deliver highly-optimized 2D and 3D graphics performance from applications based on Microsoft DirectX 10 and includes fully-compliant Shader Model 4.0 pixel pipelines with full support for the latest Aero desktop experience included in Windows Vista Premium or better. However, we should mention that the current platform development schedule indicates that drivers containing preliminary support for OpenGL 2.0-based graphics hardware acceleration are not slated for release until third quarter 2008, well after the June 2008 product launch date. This news is particularly concerning to us seeing as how Intel never really managed to their act together when it came to addressing a few of the more persistent driver performance issues plaguing G35.
User Pinning for Intel Turbo Memory (ICH10 Feature)
In addition to Intel Matrix Storage Technology (MST), Intel Rapid Recover Technology, and Intel Turbo Memory - features all included in Intel's ICH9(R) - when paired with an Intel G45 Express chipset, ICH10(R) now allows the user to easily control the application binary information or other data saved in the Turbo Memory cache. The technique, called User Pinning, can boost system performance by decreasing the time needed to access and load frequently referenced data or any other information the user prefers to be available in the prefetch storage space. Intel 4 Series chipsets are also rumored to support a Turbo Memory address space of up to 4GB.
Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
Originally intended for use with the X48 Express chipset launched in early 2008, Intel introduced a simple-to-use, wizard-based tool for manual or automatic PC performance tuning. Novices and power users alike can use the Extreme Tuning Utility to tweak the P45 Express chipset for the "ultimate" in overclocking performance. We have not yet had the time to test all this tool has to offer, so naturally we must pass on making any judgments at this time. However, our early exposure to overclocking with P45 was lackluster at best, as the chipset consistently required more voltage than would have normally been expected using a premium performance board based on X48.