Intel's Next-Generation IGP May Target Gamers

While most so-called new developments have consisted over the past week of little else besides unconfirmed rumors and reports from undisclosed sources, the Donanimhaber website seems to have gotten its hands on a rumor with a picture to back it up. The slide posted shows the supposedly targeted gaming segments of Intel's upcoming IGP (integrated graphics processor) and it seems that, if it proves genuine, the so-dubbed Intel HD will be capable of running most mainstream games, with only the 'enthusiast' gaming market still beyond its reach.

So far, Intel's integrated graphics solutions have not exactly left end-users with enough of an impression to dream about them at night. Even as the technology's capabilities have steadily grown, the high-end and even mainstream gaming markets have always been mostly out of reach. The upcoming technology, however, seems bent on tackling this challenge more thoroughly. According to the slide, the Intel HD will provide “a great PC gaming experience where the PC market is growing the most.” The segments referred to are those of casual and mainstream gaming.

Among the mainstream games that the IGP will supposedly run well are titles such as World of Warcraft, The Sims 3, NBA 2k10 and FIFA 2010. Of course, it is quite likely that at least some of these will no longer be mainstream by the time the IGP makes it out, but the target performance is still quite promising compared to the graphics solutions provided by the Santa Clara company so far.

The only games that the slide indicates will not be handled by the supposedly upcoming processor are the high-end titles, those that only the so-called 'enthusiast' or hard-core gamers get a hold of. These consumers will still have to make a choice between AMD (ATI) and NVIDIA products.

If Intel is really working on such an IGP, information will likely become available at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show. The slide, of course, did not even hint at the price, but the fact that the casual and mainstream layers are the main targets seems to suggest that the product will be quite accessible.