Wednesday, October 15th 2008
P55 to Succeed P45 as Mainstream Core Logic
In the weeks to come Intel and its partners, would be buzzing with activity, in the form of product launches. Three models of the Core i7 series processors, accompanied by supportive motherboards, and possibly tri-channel DDR3 memory kits, would hit shelves. The LGA-1366 socket would serve as an extreme and performance segment offering, on the whole. The mainstream segment would continue in the form of the newer LGA-1160 socket, and the Ibex Peak platform. Processors would essentially use the same architecture as the upcoming i7 processors, but feature dual-channel memory interfaces, and continue using the DMI front-side bus as the system interface.
As for its supportive chipset, Intel plans to label them under the P5x series. Chipsets without IGPs, would have so little machinery, with the memory controller shifted to the CPU, that even high-performance chipsets could be monolithic. A single chip would handle the system's peripherals, storage, and connect it to the CPU. There are indications that the CPU could house PCI-Express switches on-die. This would provide direct connections between PCI-E devices such as graphics cards, and the CPU. The P5x series chipsets could include a confirmed P55 chipset that rules its roost, with P53 and P51 chipsets that fabricate the lineup.
The P55 chipset could feature:
Source:
Expreview
As for its supportive chipset, Intel plans to label them under the P5x series. Chipsets without IGPs, would have so little machinery, with the memory controller shifted to the CPU, that even high-performance chipsets could be monolithic. A single chip would handle the system's peripherals, storage, and connect it to the CPU. There are indications that the CPU could house PCI-Express switches on-die. This would provide direct connections between PCI-E devices such as graphics cards, and the CPU. The P5x series chipsets could include a confirmed P55 chipset that rules its roost, with P53 and P51 chipsets that fabricate the lineup.
- Socket LGA 1160, supporting Lynnfield (quad-core) and Havendale (dual-core) processors.
- PCI-E 2.0 (on the CPU): Supports one graphics card in x16 or two in x8, x8 mode.
- Six SATA II ports, with support for RAID 0/1/5/10 modes.
- 14 USB 2.0 ports.
- Gigabit PHY onboard, HD audio interface.
18 Comments on P55 to Succeed P45 as Mainstream Core Logic
Seems like the Northbridge is completely going bye-bye and who knows, perhaps the southbridge eventually?
I'm wondering if AMD will follow with NB elimination for AM3, afterall Intel now has an IMC and they got rid of the NB.
For example, nForce3 was single chip years ago. VIA, however, stuck with separate north/southbridges. Separate chips lets you mix and match, such as taking a K8T890 northbridge and then picking the southbridge that matches what you want/need. I doubt either way is "best".