Information about Intel's new integrated chipsets

Confusion between C1 and C2 steppings:

http://download.intel.com/design/c [...] 305402.pdf

According to the PDF, it looks like problems only exist for the integrated chipsets and C2 steppings exist for it. P965 only exist in C1 stepping. No need to worry about C1 or C2 if getting P965 chipset.

GMA 3000 and GMA X3000:

GMA 3000 is basically equal to features to GMA 950, additional display enhancements and 3D graphics enhancements doesn't exist on GMA 3000, the chipsets based on GMA 3000 is 946GZ/Q963/Q965

GMA X3000 is the one with new advanced features:
-Pixel Shader 3.0 HW
-Vertex Shader 3.0 HW
-667MHz Core clock
-Unified rendering pipelines
-Hardware T&L
-Advanced Pixel De-interlacing
-HDMI
-Proc Amp

As of yet, the drivers are not ready for the new features for GMA X3000. Here in Canada, NCIX reports mid to late september availability for the motherboard. I assume it's probably similar in most other stores(reflected by the almost zero reviews available).

The current driver is 14.24, final version is 14.26, and 14.25 should be available soon. PS/VS 3.0, HW T&L, is not supported by the driver in 14.24.

14.24 driver does NOT support PS/VS 3.0, HW T&L, despite the reports. It's the post-14.24 driver that will enable the features.

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/itnews.ph [...] &endtime=0

In summary:
14.21: Advanced Pixel De-interlacing, Proc Amp, HDMI support
14.24: General performance and code optimization(current driver as of Sep 9, 2006)
14.25: Pixel Shader 3.0
14.26: Vertex Shader 3.0 + Hardware T&L

(From what I have read, the shipping boards will be available with older drivers, not the updated ones)