Intel launches Centrino 2 with host of chipset improvements

Intel's Centrino 2 formally hit the streets today in a flurry of technology briefs, press releases, and OEM design win announcements. The Santa Clara CPU manufacturer has refreshed the Centrino platform multiple times since it first debuted in 2003, but this is the first time Intel has heralded such introductions with a separate product series.

The fact that "Centrino" refers to a full platform rather than a single processor or motherboard actually makes it a bit harder to clarify what's fundamentally new with Centrino 2, and the blizzard of paper that accompanied the launch of the platform today (both from Intel and its various partners) doesn't make that task any easier. Hopefully our vantage point from aboard the Orbital HQ will allow we Arsians to clarify the new Centrino platform.

Introducing Montevina

Centrino 2 is based on a new Intel platform, codenamed Montevina. Montevina replaces last year's Santa Rosa platform, and is based around a new motherboard chipset. The slide below describes the various new components of Centrino 2 versus last-generation's Centrino:

As you can see, Intel isn't just slapping a new label on an old platform, but the CPU switch needs a bit of additional explanation. Technically, the CPU at heart of Centrino 2 isn't changing much at all—a new, slightly faster FSB isn't a very big deal—but the impact on OEM SKUs could be significant. Under Intel's qualifying terms and conditions, current laptops could use either a 65nm or 45nm Core 2 Duo and still qualify to carry the "Centrino" brand name. With Centrino 2, this is no longer the case. This shift clears up a potential source of customer confusion, and is especially pertinent considering that HP, at least, offers both 65nm and 45nm chips in currently shipping Centrino products.

Intel is introducing a total of five new dual-core processors, ranging from the P8400 (2.26GHz, 3MB L2, 25W TDP) to the T9600 (2.8GHz, 6MB L2, 35W TDP). All of the new processors will be powered by the new Mobile Intel 45 Express chipset, the WiFi Link 5000 series, and the Intel 82567 gigabit Ethernet controller. Turbo Memory (also known as Robson) is available as an option (up to 2GB), and those seeking performance at any price are free to spring for the new Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 (3.06GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB L2). Intel also expects to introduce 45nm quad-core mobile CPUs later this year, but that won't be for a little while yet.

The new chipset incorporates improvements that should boost both performance and battery life. Intel claims that its Rapid Memory Power Management system will improve system battery life, as will its adoption of dual-channel DDR3 memory technology. Integrated graphics performance should be higher, thanks to a new clockspeed of 533MHz, and the GPU is now capable of handling HD video content in hardware. We won't know how Intel's solution compares to ATI and NVIDIA until we see shipping hardware on mature drivers, but it's nice to see the feature popping up on Intel systems.

Intel has also integrated support for what it calls Switchable Graphics. We've seen this technology before, courtesy of ATI and NVIDIA, and Intel's flavor works in a similar way. If a discrete GPU and an integrated mobile GPU are both present, the 45 Express chipset is capable of switching from the discrete GPU to the integrated GPU in order to save on battery life. In some respects, however, Intel's solution is more limited. Both ATI and NVIDIA offer dual-GPU performance when two GPUs are installed (Intel does not), and NVIDIA's Hybrid SLI solution is capable of turning the discrete GPU off completely. It's not clear if Intel shuts the discrete GPU off completely or drops it into low-power mode, but the end result should still improve battery life when compared to the older Mobile Intel 965 Express.

As for its wireless performance, Intel is claiming a mixture of better performance and lower power consumption, but again, it's hard to evaluate such claims without shipping hardware. Certainly this is one area where any advances would be welcomed—running a wireless card typically puts a significant drain on any laptop battery.

Conclusion

If Centrino 2 lives up to Intel's claims, it'll be a welcome evolution of an already well-regarded platform. The various improvements incorporated into the platform's design mean that there's something here for almost everyone. Hardware-assisted video decoding, DDR3, and a lower-power chipset mean that a new Centrino 2 notebook should still offer measurable battery life improvements over a new Centrino based on a 45nm processor + Santa Rosa. Performance may not improve in all scenarios—again, this will depend on hardware configuration—but Centrino 2-based systems should be at least as fast as an equivalent Centrino system, while still offering superior battery life.

One thing to note, however, is that the very first set of Centrino 2 systems will not use Intel's own integrated graphics, but will rely on discrete parts. Intel is currently re-screening Montevina boards with integrated GPU, so if you want one of these in particular, you may have to wait a few weeks.  There's also an updated wireless system coming (codenamed Echo Peak), that will include support for both WiFi and WiMAX, but there's no firm date on when to expect the new controller. 

Despite this minor issue, Centrino 2 is a comfortable win for Intel in a market segment the company continues to dominate. AMD's Puma may have its own features and pluses, but the big cat in this market is wearing blue—not green.