New Integrated Graphics Motherboards on the Horizon?

[oon2ooo]

I'm looking to build a new HTPC to support the Ceton CableCard tuner. I want to to be as low power and cheap as possible. But looking into the existing integrated graphics solutions out there, none of them quite meet the power and total graphics/video processing package I am looking for.

I have always been a fan of the AMD motherboards since the 780G, but I haven't seen much movement on that front lately. Their last iteration was barely a refresh.

Does anyone have any idea if there are plans to release something in the near future with updates? I would prefer to stick with AMD CPUs as the Intel ones generally are more expensive for the total package, but I am open to anything. Although, AMD's video drivers and software seem to be much better.

 

[ZipSpeed]

AMD's Llano and Intel's Sandy Bridge will bring noticeable IGP improvements. Both are out next year.

 

[oon2ooo]

So I take it everyone is now giving up on packaging a potentially more powerful, discrete IGP on the motherboard seperate from the CPU? I really just want something that is able to do HDMI 1.4a. bitstream at 7.1 and a full pass on benchmarking for all the post-processing tests. Nothing seems to meet this criteria currently. Hmph.

 

[ZipSpeed]

Your only other option is to pick up a low power Radeon 6000 series card or a GeForce 400 series card which meets your HTPC requirements.

 

[jaydee]

AMD's Ontario/Zacate (low end chip, Fusion) is suppose to be available February 2011. This may or may not have the features you're looking for.
http://fudzilla.com/notebooks/item/20560-ontario-and-zacate-fusion-launch-at-ces-2011

AMD's Llano (mid-range chip, Fusion) should pack more performance & features, and it too is looking like Q2 2011. Looks like it will be close to Radeon 5570 or mobility Radeon 5730 performance.
http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/20614-amd-vp-hints-at-llano-graphics-performance
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-...ip-to-ease-concerns-over-delays-update2-.html

AMD's Bulldozer (high-end chip) looks like will be out in Q3 of 2011 and I don't think anything is known about the kind of IGP AMD will put on that family of motherboards, if any.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3863/amd-discloses-bobcat-bulldozer-architectures-at-hot-chips-2010/6