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Core i5 and i3 CPUs With On-Chip GPUs Launched
MojoKid writes "Intel has officially launched their new Core i5 and Core i3 lineup of Arrandale and Clarkdale processors today, for mobile and desktop platforms respectively. Like Intel's recent release of the Pinetrail platform for netbooks, new Arrandale and Clarkdale processors combine both an integrated memory controller (DDR3) and GPU (graphics processor) on the same package as the main processor. Though it's not a monolithic device, but is built upon multi-chip module packaging, it does allow these primary functional blocks to coexist in a single chip footprint or socket. In addition, Intel beefed up their graphics core and it appears that the new Intel GMA HD integrated graphics engine offers solid HD video performance and even a bit of light gaming capability."
Itching to see how good these chips are at some number crunching on the GPU portion. I've always had an issue with the traditional bandwidth of system memory to GPU memory. That northbridge pisses me off.
I realise these particular chips are mobile processors.
Anyone else suspicious of this? Intel trying to use its CPU monopoly to gain a GPU monopoly?
GENERATION 25: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation.
That is one of the reasons I ended up switching to AMD. With Intel it was getting to be a PITA to figure out which were the "good" chips, which were the "okay" chips and which were the cheapos. Especially since some of their chips have VT and some don't. I like how AMD only has three lines-Phenom = (best) Athlon = (good) and Sempron = (cheapo). Plus I remember what it was like when Intel was a monopoly and do NOT want to go back!
And lets be honest, once we hit dual cores for the average Joe the PC ha passed good enough a few miles back. Checking the logs on my customer's PCs on followup even the duals are spending a good amount of their time twiddling their thumbs, because the average user just doesn't come up with enough work to keep them fed. And with the economy in the crapper my customers like how cheap the new AMDs are. Hell you can get a quad for $99!
And as far as these new chips go, does Intel want to get a monopoly charge dropped on it? I mean here they are, being investigated left and right, and the come out with a whole new line of chips with onboard GPUs which looks like it is just another shot at locking out Nvidia. It sure as hell smells to me like trying to lock up the chipset market for themselves. I predict if Intel doesn't get a serious smack down from the EU or Justice Dept that it is gonna end up just them and AMD unless Nvidia buys Via and tries to get in the game that way. Does ATI even make chipsets for Intel boards since being bought by AMD? I know they locked Nvidia into the dead end LGA775 and basically give up. So is there anyone besides Intel making chips for the new socket?
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
I just got a HTPC for me this Xmas. It's Intel Atom N330 dual core + Nvidia ION You can either build it youself or buy a system from some of the vendors. If you build youself, it's cheaper and you can get a much bigger hardrive (1TB), the pre-built systems these days usually ship with 320GB HD. But they usually got a better form factor. Mine got pefect and smooth 1080p playback. I use XBMC (xbmc.org) on ubuntu 9.10 You just need to install the lastest Nvidia driver: https://launchpad.net/~nvidia-vdpau/+archive/ppa Get youself a MCE remote.
No, it's a laptop CPU/GPU combo, these things are aimed squarely at high end laptops like MacBook Pros.
While you might have missed that Intel already is the largest GPU vendor in the world for years (gaming is small compared to B2B sales), you are right, anyway. When offering intel CPUs implies having to buy their GPU, the air will become thin for excellent integrated chipset offerings as Nvidia's. Instead of pushing customers through secret, anti-competitive contracts, they have just changed their product lineup. Want a CPU? Fine, but you can't have it without a GPU.
It will be interesting to see, wether Apple will get special treatment. The have already semi-officially let a word slip out, that they are not interested in the Arrandale GPU and won't use it. It's just not powerful enough for their GPU-laden OS and application lineup compared to Nvidia's chipset offerings.
They might be watching a video while touching up their photos in Photoshop. That's probably the most likely heavy use scenario.
And as far as these new chips go, does Intel want to get a monopoly charge dropped on it?
The writing has been on the wall for a while, it will all be integrated into one chip at least on the low end. Oh sure Intel might get slapped one way or the other but by the time the dust settles it'll all be on a <30nm chip and no court will manage to force them to create discrete chips again.
The other part is games but the chips are running ahead of eyes and displays and developer time, if you looked at the latest reviews they only test at 2560x1600 with full AA/AF. I'm sure Fermi will be impressive but 30" displays is a tiny niche and the rest don't need it.
nVidia is talking about supercomputers and GPGPU but they're going the way of Cray and SGI, into some niche where they'll slowly wither away. AMD will hang in their because their CPU/GPU combos beat Intel on the GPU part.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
I bought an i7 as part of a general upgrade a few months ago; it wasn't until I had it installed and happened to check Task Manager that I realised it was a quad core chip.
It's official. Most of you are morons.
My laptop sticker says "Centrino 2", and I just happen to know that that's a Penryn (and what "Penryn" means). I think it's safe to say Intel's naming scheme sucks.
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