Chipsets: 945GM/ PM/ Santa Rosa

I would like to start a discussion on these in terms of; power consumption/efficiency, performance and utilisation of a Intel core 2 duo processor (im suspecting the Santa rosa will win in that category since it was built for that processor).....Basically im very intersted in this new chipset and I've decided to wait until i can get my laptop with the core 2 duo and Santa Rosa chipset

 

Basically, Santa Rosa will be the new Centrino Duo. It will be released some time next year. I can't say when exactly, but i wouldn't expect it as soon 2007 starts. Key advances include an 800 Mhz FSB bus, that will allow faster communication beween the processor and the rest of the system. A new socket will also be brough in. It will be called Socket P. The current one is Socket M.

This is a big improvement. The current Merom processor, at least the higher models, want a a bigger FSb, and they'll get it when Santa Rosa. The chipset that Santa Rosa will use the Crestline chipset (965) with pretty much the same suffixes as now. That includes the PM, GM, etc.

Santa Rosa will also include Kedron. Kedron is the code name for Intel's new wireless adapter. Some people say it will have WiMax, but I'm not sure myself. It will almost certainly have 802.11n.

In terms of performance, it should be very good. With the increased FSB size, and a better chipset, it should provide be interesting. For power effiecientcy, that should also be very good. Intel, will certainly power optimize all the components tat it decided to put into Santa Rosa.

 

Differences between the 945PM and the 945GM are mostly negligeable, and Zero outlines the main differences in the upcoming Santa Rosa. However, I'm not as optimistic as he as for battery life and power efficiency. I also think the price is going to be pretty high.