Intel to launch low-end 915 chipsets Jan 05

Intel is said to be preparing to launch two further low-end 'Grantsdale' chipsets next month.

The new parts, the 915PL and the 915GL, are essentially versions of the existing 915P and 915G chipsets, but with DDR 2 SDRAM support turned off. The new chipsets will offer PCI Express and 800MHz frontside bus support.

It's the FSB frequency which will differentiate the 915PL and 915GL from the 910GL, which similarly supports only DDR memory. However, it's only capable of operating a 533MHz FSB. Like the 915GL, the 910GL integrates Intel's Media Graphics Accelerator 900 engine into the North Bridge.

The 915PL and 915GL will be priced at around a third less than the 915P and 915G, according to sources cited by DigiTimes. Their launch will come as good news to mobo makers who want a low-cost LGA775 product to drive adoption of the new processor interface. They should also hasten the move down-market of today's 775-pin Pentium 4 processors ahead of the arrival of the P4 600 series on Q1 2005.

Intel is expected to cut Grantsdale prices at the end of the year, with further cuts said to be coming early Q2 2005. ®

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