While 3D graphics will rush in our daily routine together with Microsoft Longhorn operating system only in a couple of years, we start to think about the graphics processors needed to render this beauty already now. According to analysts at WinHEC, where the Longhorn is demonstrated, minimum requirements for 3D GUI of Longhorn is DirectX 7.0, however, when all the features are enabled looks like DirectX 9.0 GPU is needed.

Since DirectX 10 is not yet even on a horizon while DirectX 9.0 capable graphics cards can be found in every market segment already at this point, I believe that it is reasonable to buy DirectX 9.0 class graphics cards instead of DirectX 8.1 solutions now. But what about office PCs? The vast majority of them are now based on the Intel’s chipsets with integrated graphics cores that are mostly capable of only DirectX 6.0 features. Within less than 7 days Intel officially unveils its new integrated chipset with Intel Extreme Graphics 2, though, it definitely does not feature DirectX 9.0 or any other advanced graphics features, but is still focused mostly on 2D and it will only boast with some of the DirectX 7.0-class features in the best case. Well, maybe Intel needs to speed up the development of its graphics cores to offer something for the upcoming Microsoft’s operating systems?

At the moment there are concerns about the cost of DirectX 9.0 class graphics solutions. Intel says that even if it integrates such core in its GMCH, it will still be very complex and expensive for mainstream personal computers now. There are some chances that it will be less expensive when MCHs are made using 90nm process technology, though, nothing certain at the moment. From my own point of view I will add that it is not enough to only implement DirectX 9.0-class graphics solution, but also to make sure that it achieves reasonable performance levels.

In fact, it is a bit surprising that Intel has difficulties or concerns about integrating DirectX 9.0-class graphics cores into chipsets. Since ATI and NVIDIA had plans to launch their integrated platforms with DirectX 9.0 graphics cores this year, I doubt that such IGPs are really as expensive as Intel claims at WinHEC, so, seems like Intel’s concerns may not be caused by technology, but by marketing reasons since the company may want to force users to replace their existing and upcoming PCs powered by Intel’s GMCHs with new sometimes in 2005.