Graphics State of the Union

Tom's Hardware has put out a nice recap of where computer graphics have been and where they are headed in the near future. While there are some definite shiny toys being displayed in new product releases and on the test beds, the overall problem of power consumption continues to rear its ugly head demanding attention. From the article: "while all of these things are interesting, exciting and new, the problem remains the same. Getting smaller and faster only makes sense if the design also is less demanding on the wall socket and cooling system. We all want different things when it comes to advancements, but first and foremost we need better power management. The bottom line is simple: graphics makers must take a step back from feature brainstorming until the power issue is resolved."

Comments

Power & Physics

[JPFitting]

I do agree that power is becoming quite an annoyance these days with the video cards. I would like to say that I believe that to move forward we need to take a step back. I am finding more and more games that are simply pleasing to the eye but lack the originality, functionality, and creativeness of older games. These video card makers focus too much on realism and tend to encourage game makers to focus on the like. Let's make cards that are functional, less power hungry, well-rounded (physics), and cooler.

Re:Wrong.

[xanadu-xtroot.com]

If consumers continue to purchase ever more power hungry graphics cards, what is to stop the companies from making them?

And what choice do we currently have? If the companies made Watt-Friendly cards, I'm willing to bet people would buy them especially for laptops. But they don't. We don't have the choice BUT to buy these double bay, amp eating, juggernauts we have today.