The Intel GMA 3150 hit the market a year ago and is now considered the standard graphics in modern netbooks with basic functionality. It replaced the Intel GMA 950, which was paired with the Atom N270/280 processor. However, if you think that it represents a step forward compared to the previous generation, then you are mistaken. This is so, a small step ... By the way, you can read about older integrated video cards from Intel.
So, the Intel GMA 3150 was born along with the Intel Pine Trail platform, in which the memory controller and graphics core were also included in the Intel Atom N4xx processor. This allowed to significantly reduce the power consumption of the entire system, and today Pine Trail netbooks are the most long-playing ones (and if you install a capacious battery in them, you can get up to 13 hours of battery life).
The Intel GMA 3150 was created on the basis of another fairly common (some time ago) integrated graphics - the Intel GMA x3100, although it did not take anything more or less productive from it. The GMA 3150 has only two processor cores that operate at a frequency of 200 MHz (x3100 has 8 and 500 MHz). For example, the GMA x3100 scores 405 in 3DMark06, the GMA 950 scores 122, and the GMA 3150 scores 140. Can you roughly understand the difference now?
Of course, if you ask me if you can play on the Intel GMA 3150, then I will answer you - you can. In casual games from Alawar and other developers. Solitaire can be laid out. You can even run some ancient "normal" toy. But something modern - that's it. This is not a netbook you need, but a normal full-fledged laptop.
But as for HD-video, here the developers make us happy, claiming that the Intel GMA 3150 is able to offload the processor in terms of MPEG2 decoding. However, everything was not so rosy. In practice, you can normally run a video in 720p format, but nothing more - then the brakes will already go. Well, HD videos on YouTube are generally better not to open on a netbook.
The good news is that the Intel GMA 3150 supports an extra display. The bad news is exclusively through the VGA port. More recent digital HDMI is not supported. But this video card will easily pull the resolution on an external monitor up to 1366x768.
Intel GMA 3150 supports DirectX 9c, and it should also be noted that it was created using 45 nm technology. But this is so, small technical trifles.
You can download drivers for the Intel GMA 3150 from your netbook manufacturer's website in the "Support" or "Downloads" section.
Well, now the most important thing is what games go to the Intel GMA 3150:
Alien Shooter 2
Aliens vs Predators 1.2
Battlefield Vietnam
Braid
Call of Duty 1
Cold Zero (medium)
Colin McRae Rally 2
Colin McRae Rally 3
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Counter Strike 1.6 (30-40 fps)
Counter Strike Source
Diablo II
Dune 2000
Fallout
Far Cry (minimum settings)
F.E.A.R. (medium settings)
F.E.A.R. extraction point
FIFA 2004
FIFA 2007 (minimum settings)
flat out
FlatOut 2 (brakes on some trails)
Ford Street Racing
Gothic 2
GTA 2
GTA Vice City
GTA San Andreas
Half-life 2 (you need to write mat_dxlevel 80 or 70 in the console, but it still goes average)
Half Life 2: Episode One
Half life 2: Episode Two
Hitman Codename 47
Hitman - Silent Assassin
Hitman - Contracts
Mafia
Majesty 1 (with add-on)
Manhunt
Mashed
Max Payne 1.2
Mortal Kombat
Mount and Blade
Need For Speed Porsche
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Need For Speed Underground 1.2 (with brakes)
NHL09
Onimusha 3
Plants vs Zombies
PointBlank
portal
Postal 2 (there are departures)
Prince of Persia-Warrior Within
Resident Evil 4
Ricochet
Richard Burns Rally
Silent Assassin
Silent Hill 2: Direction Cut
Silent Hill: the room (bad)
Sims 2 (minimum settings)
Splinter Cell
Splinter Cell - Pandora Tomorrow
STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl
Star Wars
Street Racing Syndicate
Stronhold Crusader
System Shock 2
Team Fortress 2 (medium)
Torchlight (medium)
TrackMania Nations Forever
Quake 2
Unreal Tournament 2003
War Zone 2100
Worms: Armageddon
Worms 3D
18 steel wheels
How to get a neighbor 1.2
Carmageddon: Wheels of Death (set resolution to 800x600)
Space Rangers 1
Wings of Victory
Machinarium
Nancy Drew
The abode of darkness
Siberia 1.2
Zombie Driver
Last time we explored the computing power of Clarkdale, Intel's first 32nm chips. However, these devices are curious not only due to the transition to more advanced technological standards. For the first time, processor masters managed to place a CPU and a graphics accelerator under the cover. This issue deserves special attention and study, therefore, in the second part of the material, we will dwell in more detail on the potential of the integrated video of new models.
For those who like to play on a computer, it may be a revelation that for a long time it has been Intel that has been the largest supplier in the graphics adapter segment, where, according to the latest data, its share is more than 55% and continues to grow. The market for integrated solutions is huge. Moving the video core under the processor cover will only strengthen the company's leading position.
So, what is the new development of Intel? It should be said that the company abandoned the previous name of the Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series, preferring, in the light of recent trends, a more concise and understandable one - Intel HD Graphics. As you already know, the processor core in the new Intel chips is produced according to the 32-nanometer process technology, while the GPU chips are produced using the proven 45-nanometer technology. Obviously, such a decision has a strong economic justification.
Architecturally, HD Graphics is more of an evolutionary development of the GMA X4500. However, there are quite a few differences between these adapters. First of all, we note the increased number of SIMD processors from 10 to 12, as well as improved work with the Z-buffer. The abbreviation HD is not in vain used in the name of the Intel graphics solution. The company puts serious emphasis on new opportunities for high-definition video processing. So, the GPU allows you to decode VC-1, AVC / H.264 and MPEG-2 streams at the hardware level. Improved scaling, noise reduction and sharpening algorithms. For the first time, dual-stream video decoding is supported, enabling picture-in-picture imaging. Of the important innovations, it is also worth noting the possibility of simultaneous use of two digital interfaces. The GPU is capable of transmitting audio via HDMI or DisplayPort both in decoded form and in Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MasterAudio formats. Only video cards of the ATI Radeon HD 5000 line can boast of such functionality even among discrete adapters. In terms of their multimedia capabilities, the new Intel processors and, accordingly, the LGA1156 platform are ideal for use as part of an HTPC.
In the field of gaming 3D, we highlight support for Shader Model 4.0 and Open GL 2.1. There is no mention of DirectX 11 in the specifications, but this does not cause any regret. Few people are interested in formalities that do not bring practical benefits. And in the case of integrated graphics, support for the new API can only be used for marketing purposes so far.
All processors of the Westmere family are equipped with an integrated graphics core, however, the operating frequency of the GPU depends on the specific CPU model. For Pentium chips, this is 500 MHz, in Core i3 and most Core i5 - 733 MHz. The Core i5-661 stands apart - its GPU frequency is increased to 900 MHz. In Arrandale series mobile CPUs, the integrated adapter supports the Dynamic Frequency function, which, similar to Turbo Boost processor technology, allows you to increase the GPU frequency during an increase in load and, accordingly, reduce it if necessary. Desktop chips lack such functionality - they have a constant graphics core frequency.
To use embedded video, you will need motherboards based on Intel H55/H57 chipsets, which have a special Flexible Display Interface (FDI) required to transfer video data from the processor to the PCH and subsequently to the monitor or TV screen. It looks like, finally, motherboards with integrated video for the Intel platform will be overwhelmingly equipped with digital video outputs: DVI, HDMI and even DisplayPort will become familiar attributes of H55/H57 solutions. The Intel P55 chipset does not support the FDI bus, so it will not be possible to use the integrated video on the board with this logic set.
GPU overclocking
The HD Graphics graphics core can be overclocked separately from the CPU compute module. Motherboard manufacturers are happy to provide this opportunity by highlighting the appropriate parameter in the BIOS. As in the case of the CPU, the frequency potential of the video core will depend on the specific processor instance. The limit values for the chips we tested were approximately the same: the core frequency of the Core i5-661 was increased to 1000 MHz, and that of the Core i3-530 to 950 MHz. Surely, fine tuning with an increase in the GPU supply voltage will make it possible to achieve more, but this is rather the lot of enthusiasts who conquer the world's top overclocker ratings in individual categories.
With an increase in the frequency of the graphics core, performance in 3D noticeably increases, since the limiting factor here, of course, is the capabilities of the accelerator. After overclocking the GPU, the Core i3-530 processor in games even slightly outperformed the Core i5-661, whose video core worked in normal mode.
It is obvious that the use of an integrated GPU can, to one degree or another, affect the frequency potential of the processor's computing unit. The tests carried out show that the use of an integrated video core limits the maximum operating frequency of the CPU, not allowing you to achieve results similar to those obtained with a discrete video card. In practice, it is unlikely that anyone will need to overclock the processor as much as possible using the integrated GPU. Rather, it is just a nuance that needs to be taken into account during experiments.
Test results
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Judging by the test results, Intel managed to seriously improve the performance of its integrated solution. HD Graphics is on average 1.5-2 times more productive than the GMA X4500. At first glance, the architectural improvements in the computing part of the novelty are not so significant. However, it should be recalled here that the GPU is now located on the same chip as the memory controller, and this proximity certainly affected the performance indicators. At 900 MHz, the new Intel video core demonstrates similar results to those of the GeForce 9300 - a chipset for the Intel platform, which, along with the 9400 modification, was previously considered the most productive in its class. At a frequency of 733 MHz (standard for Core i3 and most Core i5), HD Graphics is somewhat inferior to the competitor from NVIDIA, but leaves no chance for the mainstream AMD 785G logic set. However, the presence of local SidePort memory, which, as a rule, gives another 5-10% performance increase, can help the latter to get additional frames per second. In addition, AMD has a 790GX chipset with a graphics core operating at a higher frequency. But the capabilities of the GeForce 8200 core used in nForce 980a are already noticeably weaker - in terms of speed in 3D, its direct competitor GMA X4500.
Given the results obtained in fairly complex modern games, it would probably be superfluous to say that the built-in GPU can handle not only casual games. World of WarСraft works very decently with slightly below average settings, the number of frames per second strongly depends on the location and fluctuates around 20-50. The situation is similar in EVE Online. The accelerator also withstands quite serious battles in browser-based Quake Live. Moreover, with HD Graphics, you can play S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat quite tolerably in static lighting mode. Recently, Intel has been working more actively with game developers, which allows us to hope for improved performance in future projects. Of course, one cannot say that the new graphics adapter is able to compete with discrete graphics cards in terms of performance, but in its class it is quite a worthy solution.
Results
In the new incarnation, Intel's integrated video capabilities have improved markedly. In addition to a serious increase in performance, it should be noted that the functionality of the embedded solution has increased. In fact, HD Graphics has all the parameters required for modern integrated graphics. Of course, the revolution did not happen here and the built-in GPU is still unacceptable for gamers, but you can’t even call it a purely office solution.
With the release of HD Graphics, Intel no longer gives competitors a reason to talk about the limited functionality or insufficient performance of its integrated video. Now the main subject of discussion will be the issue of price. And there really is more to strive for. It would be naive to believe that you get the built-in adapter for free. Formally, this is true, but the current total cost of the motherboard and CPU (from $200 and above) rather indicates that the manufacturer does not remain at a loss. Nevertheless, a good yield of suitable chips and a two-chip layout of Clarkdale allows us to conclude that the cost of new processors is relatively low and, accordingly, we hope that more affordable solutions will appear on sale over time.
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD Graphics, Intel HD Graphics or GMA HD(or GMA5700MHD) is an integrated shared memory graphics card that is designed to be used in conjunction with Intel's new dual-core Arrandale processors. Depending on the processor model, GMA HD operates at a frequency of 166 to 500 MHz (max with Turbo Boost up to 500-766 MHz). The graphics processor and memory can be performed on 45 nm technology, and may be 32 nm.
Compared to the GMA 4500MHD, the Graphics Media Accelerator HD received twice as many shaders, as well as 12 unified shader cores instead of 10.
The performance of the new Graphics Media Accelerator HD graphics card is noticeably faster than the older one GMA 4500MHD(due to an increase in the number of shaders, and also, in some cases, an increase in the operating frequency). In some games, the GMA HD is even comparable to the GeForce 9400M/ION chipset. On average, this card should be as fast as ATI's HD 3200/4200, thus allowing older and less demanding games to be played at low settings. Driver support for this card is not as good as for Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. In addition, Low Voltage and Ultra Low Voltage Core processors are only compatible with the low frequency GMA HD, and therefore the slower one.
Also, OpenGL performance is not very good yet. However, older games like Doom 3 and Quake 4 work well.
Like 4500MHD, GMA HD also has hardware support for accelerating HD video decoding. DXVA Checker includes support for MPEG2 (VLD, IDCT, MoComp, A, C), H264 (VLD, MoComp, IDCT), WMV9 (MoComp, IDCT) and VC1 (MoComp, IDCT) at 72x480, 1280x720 and 1920x1080. Toshiba Tecra A11 with Core i5-430M processor decodes Big Buck Bunny (1080p, H.264) using Windows Media Player, graphics card with CPU usage as low as 0-1%. When using the VLC player, which does not support the use of a graphics card, CPU usage was significantly higher at around 8-17% in testing. The same was true for WMV video (The Magic Flight 1080p 3-5% vs 7-12%) and VC-1 video (Elephant`s Dream 1080p 5-8% vs 8-15%). The Turbo Boost feature on the new Arrandale processors also allows automatic overclocking of the graphics core. The graphics card overclocks only if the processor is not fully loaded and the thermal load has not reached its maximum.
* High End: Core i5 520M, 540M, i7 620M: 500-766 MHz
* Low End: Core i3 330M, 350M: 500-677 MHz
* Low Voltage: Core i7 620LM, 640LM: 266-566 MHz
* Ultra Low Voltage: Core i5-520UM, i5-620UM, 640UM: 166-500 MHz
So far, the use of Turbo technology in modern games is in question, although most games also use a lot of processor time. Therefore, the UM and LM versions of the GMA HD should be slightly slower due to the low base speed of 166 / 266 MHz.
* Specified clock speeds are subject to change by the manufacturer
Integrated video acceleratorwas part of the 940 chipset seriesGand 945G.It provided the base level of performance for the graphics subsystem of both desktop computing systems and mobile computers. In the first case, it was most optimal to use it in the office to implement the simplest tasks. In the second, a reduced level of energy consumption providedincreased laptop autonomy. It is this integrated graphics microcontroller that will be discussed in this review.
Accelerator Niche
At one time, the Intel GMA 950 belonged to the least productive graphic products. this model, as noted earlier, was a built-in solution. Therefore, it was most correct to use it as part of office computers. Such hardware made it possible to run the least resource capacious tasks. These include a browser, multimedia players and office suites. Also, this list can be supplemented by outdated toys, but in this case, the picture quality will be very, very modest. Therefore, it is impossible to consider a PC equipped with only such an accelerator as a full-fledged gaming system, but it is quite suitable for an office computer.
Characteristics of the processor device of the graphics accelerator
The Intel GMA 950 silicon chip was produced using a technology with 130 nm tolerances. it indicates a power consumption of 7 watts. It has only 4 GPUsand the rasterizer is only 1. The graphics subsystem in the complex operates at a frequency of 250 MHz. The main connector for connection in this case is analogVGA.Also, in some cases, it is possible to use a digital port to output the video signal.DVI.But about the support of the main connector for these purposes todayHDMIin this case, there can be no question for the reason that at the time of creationGMA 950it was still under development.
Memory subsystem
Separate dedicated memory was not provided for the Intel GMA 950. But such an engineering approach is typical for integrated video cards. Part of the system RAM at the BIOS level is reserved for the needs of the graphics subsystem, and only the graphics adapter can interact with it. The maximum video buffer size is 224 MB. The type of memory in this case can only beDDR2with a maximum frequency of 800 MHz, and the width of the connection bus is 64 bits. These are very modest technical specifications, which significantly reduce the performance of the video subsystem.
Drivers
Windows Vista- it is the main operating system for Intel GMA 950.Windows 7 and other later versions of this system software already have built-in drivers for this adapter. But in the case of the main Vista OS and earlier versions, they had to be installed separately. Also, proprietary control software was developed for operating systems such as macOS and Linux. And here UNIX could not boast of such support. This OS is now extremely rare on desktop computers, and it is not practical to develop drivers for it separately.
Overclocking potential
As noted earlier, the nominal clock frequencyfor this adapter was 250 MHz. But there was the possibility of overclocking it, and at the same time, no additional requirements were put forward for the configuration of a personal computer. It was only necessary to install the utility GMABooster from Intel. Then it was necessary to start it and set a new value for the clock frequency. The developers at the same time limited the clock frequency to 250-400 MHz. Its growth in this case was a solid 60%. But in reality, the performance of the graphics subsystem increased quite insignificantly. The key factor in this case is the modest parameters of the accelerator, and there was no particular gain in terms of performance from an increase in the frequency.
Synthetic tests
Pretty modest results for the Intel GMA 950 in synthetic tests. But you can't expect anything else from the built-in video card. As opponents, it is optimal to chooseGMA 3150 and GMA 500 from Intel and Mirage 3 671MH from SIS.These are all integrated accelerators, and they have a comparable level of performance. In test 3DMark 06these adapters gain such conditional scores:
GMA 3150 - 144.
GMA 950 - 107.
Mirage 3671 MX - 68.
GMA 500 - 68.
The GMA 3150 can be considered a conditionally entry-level gaming solution, and the results of this test show that the hero of our article certainly does not reach his level. It can also be noted that even entry-level discrete graphics adapters have faster performance.
Results in games
Some games still run on this solution, although nominally a non-gaming graphics processor is Intel GMA 950. Games in some cases it is possible to start with a decrease in resolution and a decrease in image quality. According to the results of tests on this accelerator, the following projects can be launched:
Mafia in 800x600 resolution and even with high image quality.
GTA in version San Andreas in 640X480 format, average picture quality and 16-bit picture format.
Civilization 4 in 1024x768 and with a high level of detail.
Elder Scrolls in modification Morrwind. The resolution should be 800X600, and the picture quality is average.
Hitman: Contracts at 800X600 and the average level of detail will also start.
In all the previously mentioned games, the number of frames does not fall below 30, and as a result, they are in a comfortable "gameplay".
One of the first integrated graphics accelerators from Intel is the GMA 950. This solution was introduced in 2008. At that time, this video accelerator was perfect for creating entry-level personal computers. Even some 3D toys that were demanding on the hardware resources of the graphics adapter were launched on it with a resolution of 640 x 480, and even 50-60 frames per second could be obtained. It is about this product that will be discussed in this material.
What users is this accelerator aimed at?
The Intel GMA 950 niche is entry-level personal computers with minimal graphics performance requirements. Such a system unit is perfect for working with office applications, watching videos and running the simplest toys (for example, turn-based strategies). But something more to get from it in terms of speed will not work. For such PCs, the presence of a discrete accelerator is mandatory, and this will already allow you to run resource-intensive tasks: three-dimensional games, design packages or graphics processing programs.
System logic set and socket
The Intel GMA 950 video card was part of the G45 system logic set for the LGA775 processor socket. This solution is focused on the mass segment and had a fairly low cost. The presence of an integrated graphics system made it possible in this case to assemble excellent office system units. Also, this platform was great for creating a basic multimedia system. The presence of a PCI - Express 16X slot made it possible to install discrete graphics solutions in such a personal computer and get a full-fledged gaming PC. But more often, the P45 chipset was used for these purposes, which was much cheaper and did not have, but at the same time, practically did not concede to the G45 in terms of functionality. Today, in terms of performance, the LGA775 is an outdated socket and it is not practical to assemble a new system unit on its basis.
Operating modes
The maximum output resolution for a PC display for this solution is 2048px X 1536px. 1920px X 1080px (1080p, Full HD), 1280px X 720px (720i) modes are also supported. All this makes this accelerator compatible with any modern monitor or TV. That is, it can be connected to any such device and display a picture on it in any of the previously indicated modes. Also in the list of supported modes of this video card there are such image output modes as 1024px X 768px, 800px X 600px, 640px X 480px. In the latter case, you can even launch quite demanding toys by the standards of 2008.
