Intel said to have roadmapped 11 mobile Penryn processors

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

23rd August 2007 12:19 GMT

Intel will launch five 45nm laptop processors based on its 'Penryn' chip design it has been claimed, with a further three coming when the chip giant introduces the next generation of Centrino, codenamed 'Montevina'.

So the company's latest roadmaps, relayed by Taiwan's DigiTimes, indicate. Designed for current Centrino laptops, the first five mobile Penryns will sit on an 800MHz frontside bus and will be clocked at 2.1GHz, 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.6GHz and 2.8GHz, the site claimed.

That's one more processor than Intel had previously roadmapped - the 2.8GHz chip is a new addition to the launch line up.

While 6MB shared L2 cache is a standard part of the dual-core Penryn design, the slower two processors will only have 3MB of cache enabled.

Intel will follow these 45nm chips' Q1 2008 debut with revised, 1066MHz FSB versions in Q2 when Montevina launches. The revamped Penryns will apparently be clocked to 2.53GHz, 2.80GHz and 3.06GHz. Officially, Montevina is due in H1 2008.

The report also points to three further mobile Penryns clocked at 2.13GHz, 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz, with 3MB of L2 and a TDP of 25W - low-voltage parts, in other words. The standard-voltage Penryns consume 35W.

Montevina features the 'Cantiga' chipset, with an updated LAN chip, 'Boaz', while 'Echo Peak' and 'Shiloh' provide wireless connectivity. Shiloh is an update to Intel's already available 802.11n Wi-Fi module - the Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN - but Echo Park brings WiMAX to the table, integrating it on the same Mini PCI card as the Wi-Fi radio. Intel will also offer 'Dana Point', a WiMAX-only card. Its Turbo Memory technology - aka 'Robson' - will also be tweaked for Montevina.