Mobile Intel Haswell Unveiled - Part 2

We concluded the previous article by talking about Intel’s Haswell UltraBook ULV parts that have a dual-die processor package including the CPU, NorthBridge, IMC and now, the PCH. This level of integration will allow Intel to provide dual-core Haswell processors with a maximum TDP of 15 watts.

ULV is short for ultra-low voltage, but head on and read the first part of our Intel Haswell mobile lineup presentation for more info.

This is an impressive achievement and besides offering a more reliable package and lower power consumption, it also leaves more room on the mainboard PCB for other chips, or just simplifies it altogether.

There were many times when users were confronted with Southbridge chips that were simply popping off of the PCB and a reflow or complete rework was required to fix the notebook.

This kind of problem will likely be avoided by this new type of platform.

Starting from this and going for 35 or 45 watts versions, Intel will reportedly show us two directions.

One is just a bit cheaper and the other is more expensive, but it also comes with increased performance.

We can read into this the fact that Intel will have lower costs making the fully-integrated version, but it will charge us more for the privilege of buying such a power-efficient solution.

In any of these two directions the buyer might want to head on, he will be faced with the return of the PCH (SouthBridge).

So, Intel takes off the PCH die and starts adding more x86 cores and more potent iGPUs.

The modest 15W parts will still come with a variety of iGPUs; three to be more exact.

Once we move past the 15W TDP mark, we’ll be faced with some strange TDP levels of 37W and 47W, respectively.

These represent a dual-core and a quad-core processor each and don’t come with the fastest GT3 version of the Haswell iGPU.

The top mobile Haswell is likely also bringing the rumored level 4 cache of the memory on an interposer that we reported about here.

This version will sport a huge 57-watt maximum TDP, but Intel is likely to be targeting this at DTRs and gaming notebooks like MSI GT70 rather than UltraBooks.

Via: Mobile Intel Haswell Unveiled - Part 2