Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset

• New 800MHz front side bus
  - 20% faster bus speed
• New Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
  - 3X faster graphics performance, compared to the previous generation
• Intel Clear Video Technology
  - smoother, stutter-free high-definition video playback with sharper image quality and fewer motion artifacts
• Windows Vista Premium Support
  - supports Windows Aero display

The new chipset not only supports a much higher front side bus speed, it also comes with a faster graphics core in the form of the new Intel GMA X3100. While nothing detailed is known about this new graphics core, we do know that it has a core speed of 500MHz @ 1.05V and can use up to 384MB of system memory. Intel claims it offers 3X better performance than the previous generation GMA950 running at 250MHz.

New Intel Wireless Connectivity

• New Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN Module
  - 5X faster wireless connectivity, 2X wireless range.

Codenamed Kedron, this is Intel's new optional WiFi solution for the Santa Rosa platform. It boasts support for the draft 802.11n WiFi standard, in addition to the standard IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards.

The draft 802.11n standard will support throughputs of up to 270Mbits/s, which is approximately 5X more than the 54Mbits/s supported by 802.11g. It will also offer twice the range of 802.11g and better reception.

Of course, 802.11n is not yet a standard. So, interoperability between different Draft-N WiFi clients and routers will be quite spotty for now. However, Intel assured us that when the standard becomes ratified, all that is required to switch these Draft-N modules into official 802.11n-compatible modules is just a firmware upgrade. It remains to be seen if they will proactively inform all users when that upgrade is released, or wait for them to ask/complain.

However, do note that this module is optional. Not all Santa Rosa notebooks will come with this module. Intel offers Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG module as a cheaper alternative. That module only supports the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g WiFi standards.

Intel Turbo Memory

• New Intel Turbo Memory Modules
  - improves operating system boot time as well as application load and run times.

Codenamed Robson, these are optional add-on PCI Express x1 flash memory modules that support Windows Vista's ReadyDrive and ReadyBoost features. They allow the operating system to swap application files and data into non-volatile flash memory for quicker access.

This indirectly allows the hard drive to spin down more often, saving power and increasing battery life. However, it remains to be seen how much better (or cost-effective) is Intel's solution, compared to using USB flash drives for ReadyBoost or using hybrid hard drives for ReadyDrive.

Again, this is an optional feature. Intel will be offering 512MB and 1GB Turbo Memory modules at this time, with 2GB modules in the near future. The 512MB module will cost approximately $25 a piece to system partners but how much that will ultimately cost consumer is entirely up to their discretion.