14 DAY TRIAL // Integrated graphics have typically stirred mixed feelings in end-users, as they were generally found lacking in all areas when compared to dedicated graphics solutions from NVIDIA or ATI. Granted, the 45nm graphics built into the Clarkdale and Arrandale were found better than the Santa Clara company's previous integrated circuits, but it still cannot truly compete, especially in the area of gaming. Aiming to further reduce the performance gap, Intel is already working on the Sandy Bridge series of processors, which will have 32nm graphics cores on the same die as the CPU.
While the fact that Intel is aiming to further improve its integrated graphics is not exactly surprising, Fudzilla reports that the chip maker has begun giving information on it to top account clients. Intel reportedly said that the Sandy Bridge chips would get double the graphics performance, although it is unclear what the CPUs are compared to. It is likely that the company referred to the current Intel HD graphics based on the 45nm process.
The current 45nm graphics cores can easily handle multimedia, but they are still lacking in the area of gaming. While some games can be played at a reasonable frame rate, they are hardly an option for adequate performance of the latest titles. A double performance would be a welcome improvement and Intel may even be the only one with 32nm graphics solutions, considering that both AMD and NVIDIA are planning on switching to 28nm.
Still, a double performance compared to the Clarkdale and Arrandale sounds rather unlikely, at least as far as gaming is concerned. More probable is that the Sandy Bridge will have only a slight increase in graphics capabilities. Even so, the new processors will be noteworthy through their raw power, as the architecture presumably allows for clock speeds of 4Ghz. The chips are reportedly due to come out in the first quarter of 2011.