The Intel 945P chipset is the more mainstream of Intel's two new desktop chipsets. It comes in two variations: The 'G' version which incorporates Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics solution, and the 'P' version which does not.

The most obvious reason for the 945P chipset's existence is to offer support for the Pentium D to business and low-to-midrange consumers who are not interested in the 'enthusiast' level 955X Express chipset and its higher cost. Like the 955X Express, The 945P chipset uses only DDR II memory and can handle up to 4GB in 533MHz, and 800MHz speeds. PCI Express x16 is the video connector of choice; Intel currently supports only a single PCI Express x16 slot for one graphics card but it is likely that the 945P will bring SLI into the fold soon along with its brother chipset.

The 945P is partnered with the Intel ICH-7R Southbridge controller just like the 955X Express chipset. The ICH-7R only uses a single ATA-100 IDE controller but provides four SATA II ports, an integrated Gigabit network adaptor and eight USB 2.0 ports. The 'R' means RAID, and the ICH-7R also supports RAID modes 0, 1 and 5, though RAID mode 10 is not supported as it is on the 955X Express chipset.

In addition to the 16 lanes reserved for the videocard, an additional two PCI Express lanes can be used for two PCI Express x1 connectors, which is less than the six additional lanes that the 955X Express chipset boasts, but enough for current needs.

The 945P and ICH-7R chips are connected by means of a 2GB/s Direct Media Interface link, just like the previous generation 925X/ICH-6R Northbridge/Southbridge combination.