Conclusion

The new integrated graphics processor from Intel is undoubtedly a wide step forward over the decrepit Extreme Graphics 2 core: much higher performance, hardware support of DirectX pixel shaders, higher RAMDAC frequency, support of multi-monitor configurations, HDTV video output to appropriate displays and more.

On the other hand, the new Graphics Media Accelerator from Intel cannot do full-screen antialiasing; its anisotropic filtering of the maximum 4x level cannot be combined with tri-linear filtering; it doesn’t support T&L or vertex shaders; the need to sort polygons for the tiles greatly limits the speed in “high-polygon-count” scenes.

These facts suggest that Intel’s attitude towards integrated graphics hasn’t changed in the slightest. The company only gives its graphics the bare minimum of functionality. For example, the support of DirectX 9 pixel shaders in the new GPU is not an attempt to be better than the competitors, but rather the compliance with the requirements to the hardware that the next OS from Microsoft will produce.

Intel still doesn’t think it necessary to develop high-performance and rich-functionality integrated graphics, capable of competing with cheap standalone graphics cards. There’s no doubt that PCI Express versions of inexpensive cards from ATI and NVIDIA, like RADEON X600/X300 and GeForce PCX 5750/5300, will be faster than the new graphics core from Intel.

Anyway, integrated graphics has made a step forward as Intel brings us support of DirectX 9. We’re waiting for responses from ATI with NVIDIA, or maybe even from VIA with SiS. Stay tuned!