Full Intel Centrino 2 (Montevina) Coverage
One of the main differences between the Penryn processors designed for Centrino 2 and those of the previous Centrino platform is support for a faster (1,066MHz) Front Side Bus (FSB). This means that the engine and the highway are operating on the same level, although speed improvements were only minimal over the previous platform. Not surprisingly, the strongest performers, based on their SYSMark 2007 Preview Overall scores, were the HP dv5t and the Sony FW198UH. They outperformed both the Apple and Dell Studio 15 by an 8-18% margin. The percentage differences may seem a little high here because the SYSMark 2007 benchmark consists of several areas that contribute to an overall score, so some areas fared better than others. Our other testsMedia Encoder 9 (video encoding), Cinebench R10 and Adobe Photoshop CS3paint a different picture.
In video encoding tests, the Centrino 2 models managed a 1%-8% improvement over the previous-generation platform, while Cinebench R10 scores were unimpressive at less than a 3% variance. Upgrading to Centrino 2 becomes more compelling if you're running a "Merom"-based processor, like the one found on the Dell D630, as opposed to a Penryn chip. Improvements in the Centrino 2 systems over the Dell were between 25-50% in video encoding and SYSMark Overall scores. Whether the systems had 2GB or 4GB of memory, Photoshop CS3 scores hovered between 31-35 seconds across most of the systems, except for the Dell Latitude D630 (which we weren't able to test with CS3). We suspect Photoshop numbers will improve once systems with DDR3 memory, which only Centrino 2 supports, start trickling in.
Hardly anyone will care about Intel's new integrated graphics, but from a 3D perspective, there are significant improvements. Based on 3DMark scores, at 1,024-by-768 resolutions, the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 outperformed the Dell D630 by 63%. Keep in mind, however, that the higher scores are also processor driven. Thus, 3D performance improvements will vary between systems with different processors. The real test will be how this new graphics chipset handles playback with Blu-ray-equipped laptops and high-definition content.
Battery-life improvements were almost non-existent in systems with Intel Core 2 Duo processors denoted with a "T," although small battery capacities did play a role in the HP's and the Sony's less-than-impressive battery scores. The introduction of the "P"-designated processors may signal the biggest change in processors yet. With a lower thermal envelope (25W) than the T-series processors (34W), the Lenovo ThinkPad X200's P8400 processor was able to deliver performance numbers just shy of the HP's and Sony's, while pumping out over 6 hours of battery life. If this one system is any indication, upcoming ultraportables and thin mainstream laptops will be able to achieve standard voltage speeds without sacrificing battery life.
Moving to a new laptop platform is like getting a complete automotive tune-up. When Intel launched its mobile "Penryn" processors earlier this year, the company had the powerful engine in place, but not the collective parts that would've completed the equation. The introduction of a new platform has been a yearly event for Intel, with practically every laptop manufacturer scurrying to launch a new laptop based on the new standard. Last year, the platform, codenamed "Santa Rosa," became the new Centrino platform. Today, Intel has unveiled its successor: Centrino 2 (better known during the past year by its codename "Montevina").
Centrino 2 has a smorgasbord of new features that we can expect to grace every laptop for at least another 12 months, if tradition is any indication. It's arguably the most comprehensive list of features we've seen on a laptop platform yet, complete with six new Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a faster (1,066MHz) Front Side Bus (FSB), two new wireless cards, support for DDR3 memory, and a new Gigabit controller. And that doesn't even begin to paint the whole picture.
As if the proliferation and naming of processor models wasn't confusing enough, Intel has added a "P" designation to the line. The 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P9500, the 2.4GHz P8600, and the 2.26GHz P8400 join the family as the first 25-watt processors, promoting energy efficiency while maintaining standard voltage speeds. The other half of the batch consists of Core 2 Duos with a higher thermal design power (TDP)the 2.8GHz T9600 and the 2.53GHz T9400 are rated at 35W while the 3.06GHz Extreme X9100 is rated at 44W. The T-Series and X-Series processors are consistent with past models in which higher TDPs typically favor power and speed over battery life improvements. Especially important is that all of the new processors will operate on the new 1,066MHz FSB. Although only regular-voltage processors were announced today, expect Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) and Low Voltage (LV) processors to trickle in later this year.
Intel Unveils Centrino 2
A Faster Highwayand Bus
With a new platform comes a new chipset. The Mobile Intel 45 Express is an upgrade of the previous Express 965 chipset (found on the Santa Rosa platform), bringing with it the faster 1,066MHz FSB (up from 800MHz), Blu-ray-friendly integrated graphics, and an assortment of wireless chipsets. All data passes across the FSB, so speeding it up is like adding extra lanes to an interstate highway. But you also need support from both ends of that highwaythe CPU and system memory (RAM). The new "Penryn" processors are officially on board the 1,066 bus, and now 800MHz (from 667MHz) of DDR2 memory will be fully supported as well. Granted, memory speeds have always trailed the FSB by a step or two and while that may be true for DDR2, Intel is banking on DDR3 memory to reel in performance seekers. Though the new memory will be at a higher premium, Centrino 2like its desktop counterpartssupports up to 8GB of 1,066MHz DDR3 memory while offering energy savings of up to 25%, according to the company.
Running 3D-intensive games on integrated graphics is still essentially a pipe dream and while Intel boasts about significant improvements in gaming scores, the new Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD is still no match for discrete graphics. However, "visual computing" is an area in which a new integrated graphics platform can benefit users, so expect full Blu-ray support DisplayPort and HDMI with HDCP encryption, as well as smooth and lag-free playback. The company is also making room for switchable graphics. We've seen this capability with the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ791N and Alienware Area-51 M15x, and now switching between integrated graphics and discrete ones is fully supported by Centrino 2without a reboot (though you'll need special software). For instance, a laptop will operate on discrete graphics while it's plugged in. Once you unplug the AC adapter, the system switches over to integrated graphics. Intel is targeting battery life savings of up to 50 minutes by enabling this switch.
Completing the Intel 45 chipset are several networking features that include two new wireless network cards and a Gigabit controller. The upgrades to the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 Series are the 5100 and the 5300both of which support the draft-N standard, with the latter having the larger antenna array and throughput of up to 450Mbps (as opposed to 300Mbps with the Wi-Fi Link 5100). The Wi-Fi Link 5300 is boasting up to two times the range of the previous Wi-Fi Link 4965 wireless chipset. Alongside the wireless cards, Intel is also launching the 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection, which is the focus of the enterprise side of Centrino 2.
vPro, Centrino 2's Enterprise Side
Just as Santa Rosa had an enterprise version last year, the same is true with Centrino 2 with vPro. The business half hasn't gained much traction and is rarely talked about in the mainstreamwhen was the last time you saw a Centrino sticker with the word "vPro" on it? With this release, Intel hopes to elevate vPro new manageability and security features for IT managers and end users. In order to qualify for a Centrino 2 sticker, you need to have an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the Intel 45 chipset, and one of the Wi-Fi link 5000 Series wireless cards. With Centrino 2 with vPro, you need one more element: the Gigabit controller and/or the wireless card must support Intel AMT (Active Management Technology) and LAN drivers.
Intel AMT 4.0 is predominantly for enterprise use, such as giving an IT manager the ability to manage every user in the company from one location with either a third-party application like Altiris, CA Unicenter, LANDesk, or Microsoft SCCM. This can be done regardless of the operating system or power state. Your system can be hibernating, asleep, or even shut down, and IT can remotely wake it up, diagnose any problem and patch it up with security updates while you're sipping a latte somewhere else. This remote management can even be done while the computer is running on battery power and on a Wi-Fi connection (though for that, the system needs to be powered up). There are limitations, however, which is why vPro has been slow in the adoption phase. You will need all parts, including an enabled chipset, compatible network and software, and most important, a corporate network connection. You can't do any of this outside of a corporate firewall, and many of these functions are further limited by a slow VPN connection.
Montevina/Centrino2 Final Thoughts
This isn't just a processor upgrade or an update to any single element. It's a group of components and features that are completely revamped, which is why so many manufacturers are launching laptop models today. You will also see smaller, thinner, and low cost designs because of the new 25-watt, "P" designated processors. The physical packaging of the P-processors is actually the same as the T-ones, but because of the lower thermals, cooling methods will be less cumbersome. In fact, the form factors, rather than performance, are going to be the most compelling aspects going forward. Not only will laptops be cooler and thinner, but desktops like the Apple Mac mini and all-in-one solutions like the HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC will only get smaller as well. In terms of speed, the new platform won't deliver mind-blowing numbers, but you can expect significant battery life improvements with the new "P" processors. Of course, there are things besides performance (such as switchable graphics, smaller form factors, and better Wi-Fi range) that will convince summer shoppers to upgrade to a Centrino 2 laptop.
There is one more thing: At launch, and in the United States, systems will not qualify for the Centrino 2 brand just yet, because the Wi-Fi modules are currently in the process of ratification (though Intel's been mum on details). This doesn't mean that customers can't start pre-ordering systems, but the ability to do so will vary from vendor to vendor.
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