Intel P45

We would lie if we would tell you that we expected from Intel to launch some new logic controller after X48 chipset (our expectations were more pointed to new logic controller solutions for Nehalem processor). We got the feeling that Intel wanted to complete the cycle for processors based on Core architecture. It was logical that X48 is last of its kind. But it seems that logic was lost along the way, but fortunately technology wasn’t. As a matter of fact, P45 is officially first chipset made in new 65nm lithography. That unmistakably guarantees less warming up and higher OC potential.

PCI Express 2.0 support is present, although comparing to X48 logic controller isn’t possible to exploit full potential of CrossFire technology. Just for reminding, X48 chipset has two PCIe slots working in x16 regime. P45 logic controller has also two PCIe slots but for x8 regime. So we came to conclusion that P45 is actually somewhere between P35 and X48 logic controllers (P35 has also two PCIe slots, one with x16 and the other with support for x4 regime).
One of main innovations of P45 chipset is implementation of new southbridge, named ICH10(R). ICH10(R) brings support for six SATA II ports, AHCI control and Matrix RAID technology. On first sight nothing new, but we can conclude that new ICH has better performances regarding I/O operations.