Intel discrete graphics chips confirmed

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Six weeks ago, job descriptions for Intel's Larrabee Development Group caused widespread speculation that the chip giant would be re-entering the discrete graphics marketplace. These speculations have now been confirmed with Intel actively recruiting for its Visual Computing Group, the official name for the Larrabee project. The page notes that the group will first focus on "developing discrete graphics products based on a many-core architecture targeting high-end client platforms," with lower-end products, including graphics products integrated with CPUs, to follow later. Precisely what this means--what exactly is a many-core architecture in this context, and what's the timeframe for the new chips?--is still anyone's guess.

One thing to keep in mind is that Intel's fab utilization has decreased over the past year. Intel would certainly like to use its spare capacity for something, rather than waste money by idling fabs. Considering that it is initially targeting the high-end segment (with its historically higher margins), it would thus seem likely that any future GPUs from Intel would be manufactured in-house, just as the i740 was in days of yore. It will also be interesting to see what, if any, advantage its superior process technologies will give them.

Therefore, after months (if not years!) of rumors, a milestone has been reached. Intel now has, in their own words on their own site, declared, "Look out, NVIDIA and AMD/ATI, here we come!"

This is getting very interesting for sure!

 

[Peter]

That'll be the 3rd time they're trying. Remember the rebadged Chips&Technologies efforts? Or the i740? No? Good for you

 

[Wreckage]

Yeah, I bet it's just a crappy IGP slapped onto a card.

 

[StopSign]

Maybe they should just buy out nVidia...

Buy them out, boys.

 

[gregor7777]

A worthwhile third player in the high end segment would be useful to consumers as it would most likely mean a lowering of prices.

That said, I have a hard time believing we will see high end parts from Intel.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I'll believe that when I get a call from area code 666 saying that it's really fscking cold down there.

Intel has historically blown not only at making GPUs, but writing drivers for them.

- M4H

 

[fliguy84]

Hey, the i740 was pretty good... right?

 

[BassBomb]

I already have an intel discrete gpu

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: fliguy84
Hey, the i740 was pretty good... right?

I had one for a while in a 2nd PC back in '98. It really wasn't too bad at all. Not up to Nvidia/3dfx standards of the day, but I got mine really cheap (8MB i740 AGP for $40? I think), at a time when 3dfx and Nvidia cards were 2x-3x more. I guess that the i740 was in the Riva128 range.

 

[Creig]

I can see them making an effort at mid-low end cards, but I doubt they'll dedicate the resources necessary to try and take on G80/R600 level cards.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I'll believe that when I get a call from area code 666 saying that it's really fscking cold down there.

Intel has historically blown not only at making GPUs, but writing drivers for them.

- M4H

Their drivers are pretty stable in my experience (although admittedly its only one chip, and only in the last year or so).

However, we all know where Intel stands on GPU performance.

Geforce 4 MX = ~ right where intel is in GPU power, although it can execute DX9 code, so you can at least load slideshows of the latest games for a minute or so before they crash.

 

[aka1nas]

I thought that Intel purchased a fabless GPU design company a month or two ago. To be fair, the last attempt to enter the high-end market could have been sucessful if Intel had followed up the i740 series with something a bit better rather than exiting the discrete graphics market. Of course that was the same Intel management that partnered with Rambus and pushed Netburst. There's nothing stopping them from developing a competitve GPU if they are willing to spend the time and money to do so and not bail when the first generation product doesn't turn a profit.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Competition is always good. Even if they only decide to target the low end (X1300/7300) class of GPUs, any alternatives is always good news.

 

[Steve]

Chips&Technologies? There's a name I haven't heard in a long time. In fact, I can't even remember from where!

 

[josh6079]

I'll believe that when I get a call from area code 666 saying that it's really fscking cold down there.

LMAO!!

That one got me. That was good.

 

[n7]

Eh, i am not going to get too excited unless they can somehow compete with nV/ATi, which i highly doubt is going to happen anytime soon...

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I'll believe that when I get a call from area code 666 saying that it's really fscking cold down there.

Intel has historically blown not only at making GPUs, but writing drivers for them.

- M4H

Their drivers are pretty stable in my experience (although admittedly its only one chip, and only in the last year or so).

However, we all know where Intel stands on GPU performance.

Geforce 4 MX = ~ right where intel is in GPU power, although it can execute DX9 code, so you can at least load slideshows of the latest games for a minute or so before they crash.

lmao!! I couldn't said it better!!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: n7
Eh, i am not going to get too excited unless they can somehow compete with nV/ATi, which i highly doubt is going to happen anytime soon...

Hmm, I actually think they have half a chance OUTside of the gamer market.

As of now, integrated graphics suck too bad to do decent HD video playback. This is a great niche, to make a discrete GPU that doesn't necessarily run game X at fifty billion FPS, but can do any video/vivo you want. I'd see a huge market for $50 or lower cards that did just that, that could still play light games without chugging so bad. 1080p is a bastard on integrated video, hell even 720p is rough. A 7300GS in a Dell Dimension 9150 that I worked on the other day couldn't even handle the Quicktime 720p trailer for 'The Departed'. Helluva movie BTW .. a must see!

 

[ronnn]

Now I can be an intel fanboy!! Nvidia is dead.............. and has no friends. :laugh:

 

[Peter]

Arkaign,

For one, integrated graphics can actually do HD video quite nicely, provided the player applications do use the hardware acceleration features (which many players ignore for the sake of using their own, "better" software renderers).

Secondly, if the market for discrete GPUs with really really good 2D media capabilities were anywhere as big as you think, then how come S3 barely make a dent in the pie chart with their offerings (which do /exactly/ that)?

Peter