[Macworld]

Post your comments for Intel gives integrated graphics another chance here

[Steve_S]

>Intel is getting ready to release two processors, an Atom chip called Pineview and a new desktop processor called Clarkdale, that include integrated graphics, a capability that spells the beginning of the end for third-party chipsets with integrated graphics.
I'm fail to see the basis of this conclusion. The integrated Intel graphics will only appeal to those who currently deem the Intel graphics solutions acceptable. Nothing is changing really, accept better efficiency by adding the capability to the chip itself. It's not going to compete with an nVidia or AMD based solution any better than it does today.

[EPonj]

Agree with Steve. No hint at all in the article, but I fail to see how it could compete with high-end graphic cards.

[cphoffman42]

Yeah, could you explain how this is different from the previous Intel integrated graphics chips, which were widely seen as crappy? Is it that here the graphics are integrated with the processor rather than the motherboard? Could we get some more context of how it's different and why that's important?

[Kennethfcooper]

Is it possible that nVidia and AMD solutions are not integrated graphics but are intended to be placed on separate boards? Did the writer mean to say that it spells the end of third party chipsets used for integrating graphics in the mother board?

[EXrider]

Here're three reasons:

1. Reduced energy consumption: great for laptops and netbooks

2. Lower cost compared to having the graphics on a separate chip

3. Reduced size: allows for a higher component density and overall reduction in mainboard size

[WilfredLaurier]

I'm pretty sure you are missing the point of the article. It doesn't spell the end of discrete graphics cards, but will spell the end of IGPs from nVidia. There won't be anymore GPUs on the chipset since the processor will already have one. Mainstream Nehalems like Lynnfield and Clarksdale also don't include a high-speed QPI connection to the chipset, only low-speed DMI to a southbridge, so there isn't the bandwidth to connect a IGP from the southbridge anyways. Discrete GPUs will still survive and will even benefit since the PCIe x16 links are now on the processor instead of the chipset.

Basically, Apple's move to support nVidia IGPs like the 9400M is likely a dead end due to technical limitations of bandwidth in future mainstream Nehalem chips even if nVidia wins their legal battle against Intel.