Intel Centrino 2

Intel Centrino technology is involving with greater expectation and promising technology, bringing new standards to the notebook computing.  Centrino 2, code named "Montevina", is the fifth generation in the Centrino family with many rich features to boost processing performance,  multi-tasking (50% more), photo editing, video editing, HD and Blue-ray playback, longer battery life, WiFi connectivity, more mobility with increase performance in all area, and many more.

Centrino 2 platform components remain the same as the original designed, which consists of the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, the Mobile Intel PM/GM 45 Express Chipset, and the WiFi IEEE 801.11n draft connectivity.  This standard is rock solid ever since the Centrino boom and will continue to involve, taking Centrino technology to another level.

What is new in Centrino 2? 1066 FSB Core 2 Duo 45nm (25W) Lager L2 Cache Deep Power Down DDR3 Memory Blu-ray Hybrid Graphics WiFi Link 5100/5300

Faster Front Side Bus (FSB)

Front side bus is the pathway between the central processing unit (CPU) to the memory controller hub and other I/O in the Intel 45 Express Chipset.  Centrino 2 FSB has been bumped up from the previous 800 MHz to 1066 MHz FSB.  This large 1066 MHz FSB provide extra lanes for data to flow to increase execution task and produce performance.  The Intel 45 Express Chipset has a native FSB of 667/800/1066 MHz FSB, which can operate in any of this mode depend on the CPU FSB and memory speed.  Therefore, to achieve the higher performance of 1066MHz FSB mark, the CPU must have a 1066 MHz FSB, and memory DDR3/1066 MHz. 

Here is an example, Compal HL90 (Intel 45 Express Chipset) + Intel C2D P9500 (1066 MHz FSB) + Crucial DDR3/1066 MHz memory = 1066 MHz FSB performance.

ASI BTO Notebooks and Components

Core 2 Duo 45nm processor

The core component of the Centrino 2 is the Core 2 Duo processor series, which was based on the x86 architecture previously known as Penryn.  The Penryn core was first introduced to the previous known Centrino Santa Rosa Refresh product line with 800 Mhz FSB (Max), 6MB cache, and 35W TDP.  In the Centrino 2, the new Penryn refresh processor, which distinguishes by Pxxxx and Txxxx models, differ slightly from the first generation Penryn processor by beefed up the FSB to 1066 MHz and drop the TDP to 25W.

Larger L2 Cache

What is cache? According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache, "A CPU cache is a cache used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the average time to access memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations. As long as most memory accesses are to cached memory locations, the average latency of memory accesses will be closer to the cache latency than to the latency of main memory."  Wikipedia explain very well on the important role of L2 cache in a CPU. Centrino 2 processor Core 2 Duo L2 cache is up to 6 MB, which mean processor with 6 MB cache will be able to fetch and execute data faster then those with lower cache and get the job done quicker.

Presently there are five Penryn Refresh CPU series.

Deep Power Down

Intel's Deep Power Down technology reduces the power used by the processor while in an idle (sleep) state by turning off various CPU components such as the core clocks and level 1 and level 2 caches.  While in Deep Power Down stage, the processor power trickle down to the lowest power usage state it can reach without completely powering down the system.  The process going in to deep power down mode along is not enough to conserve power.  Therefore, Intel’s Rapid Memory Power Management technology also helps conserve power by shutting down memory read/write capabilities while the processor is in a sleep state. Furthermore, Intel’s efficient GM45 chipset/integrated graphics also contributes to longer battery life.

	Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family The mobile Intel 4 Express chipset is the skeleton of the Centrino 2 technology.  It is pack with new features and upgrades, which uses less power to provide a longer battery life while optimizing the performance. There are many new features in the mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset but the most exciting features are the full support for DDR3 memory, Blu-ray playback, and Hybrid Graphics.
	Click picture to enlarge

DDR3 Memory

Blu-ray playback

It certainly makes sense that Intel Centrino 2 support Blu-ray playback since Blu-ray is the next generation of HD media playback.  Centrino 2 mobile Intel GM45 Express chipset featuring the new integrated Graphic Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD, which is HD video playback capable and full hardware that decodes AVG, VC-1, and MPEG-2 files (in other words, Blu-ray video codec's) to help reduce CPU load, so even with the low end CPU there is smooth and stutter free HD and Blu-ray playback without discrete graphic. It also improved HDTV connectivity with integrated HDMI and Display Port supporting up to 1080P.

Although Intel GM45 Express chipset was enhanced to fully capable of playing Blu-ray, HD video, and 3D program, it is still trailing behind discrete graphic when comes to intensive graphics usages, gaming, and video rendering. 

Hybrid Graphics

Intel Display Refresh Rate Switching Technology (Hybrid Graphics) is the same concepts that exist on desktop discrete video card that support NVIDIA HybridPower or AMD ATI PowerXpress. The technology target is to conserve power by allowing the user to toggle between discrete graphic engine for intensive graphics or games and integrated graphics for lesser graphics and greater endurance. To achieve this, the notebook will need to have the Intel GM45 Express chipset and an add-on discrete graphic card.  NVIDIA GeForce 9M series (9300M and 9600M) card support hybrid graphics but that depends on the notebook vendor to enable this feature thorough hardware switch or software.