Conclusion

Although Intel decided not to use the familiar GMA abbreviation for its name, Intel HD Graphics core integrated into Westmere processors doesn’t actually have anything revolutionary about itself. Namely, Intel HD Graphics is none other but a common evolutionary refresh of the GMA X4500 graphics processor used in Intel G45 chipsets in terms of its architecture and functionality. Yes, the actual graphics core moved from the chipset North Bridge into the CPU, but this change has pure engineering significance. The users will not even notice it, they will be much more curious to see what practical changes have been made to the new GPU: slight increase in the number of shader units and the ability to decode two independent HD video streams simultaneously on the hardware level.

However, in terms of 3D performance, Intel HD Graphics can offer way more than the previous generation graphics cores. The architectural optimization allowed Intel engineers to improve performance by about 30%. So now Intel HD Graphics has finally managed to catch up with the integrated graphics from AMD, which is a pretty significant achievement as it is. As a result, an integrated system based on Core i3-540 processor running with high image quality settings provided acceptable fps rate in a large number of contemporary games.

The multimedia functionality of the graphics core also improved. Intel HD Graphics offers a complete set of hardware tools needed for successful decoding and playback of high definition video content encoded with contemporary codecs. Moreover, this core supports all contemporary digital interfaces for monitors and TV sets and can also provide HD audio in encoded as well as decoded format. In other words, Clarkdale processors become an excellent choice for media centers, especially considering their comparatively low power consumption and heat dissipation.

As a result, we must congratulate Intel on winning the technological leadership in the integrated graphics solutions market due to a very successful launch of their Westmere processor family. Today Intel HD Graphics is the absolute best choice in all aspects, except the price. This graphics core is integrated into processors selling for over $100, which will hardly fall into the budget PC price range. This is in fact the primary weakness of the new CPUs with integrated graphics. They fell into the price range where user interest to integrated solutions is pretty limited that is why Intel HD Graphics will hardly become a popular choice for desktops at this time.

Nevertheless, the new integrated graphics core will definitely become much more popular in the mobile segment, especially, since it supports Intel Switchable Graphics technology, which allows equipping notebooks with an add-on as well as integrated graphics card at the same time.