Intel Prepares To Get Graphic
Kelly Spang
02/04/98
CMP TechWeb
Copyright 1998 CMP Media Inc.
As part of an aggressive push to further broaden its reach, Intel is set to unveil its first desktop graphics accelerator next week.
In conjunction with the rollout of the graphics chip, dubbed the Intel740, several graphics card makers are also expected to announce products based on the new chip.
According to documents and specifications examined by CRN Online, The Intel740 is optimized to work with the AGP and supports the AGP 2x mode, which offers a maximum bandwidth of 528 megabits per second.
The Intel740 is based on a "HyperPiplined 3D architecture," to provide 2-D and 3-D performance for the Pentium II processor, according to the specifications.
There are a few key technologies relevant to this HyperPiplined 3-D design. The first is called Precise Pixel Interpolation, a detailed pixel processing that enables a high level of image quality, according to the specifications.
The second technology, referred to by Intel as Parallel Data Processing, allows several commands to be executed at the same time in the graphics pipeline, the documents stated.
Direct Memory Execution is the third piece of technology highlighted by Intel in the product literature. This enables the graphics accelerator to store and execute textures in systems memory instead of local graphics memory.
As a result, VARs will likely see the amount of graphics memory on cards supporting the Intel740 to range between 2 megabytes and 8 MB of memory, given utilization of main system memory, according to the specifications.
The Intel740 will support video, software and hardware DVD , TV In/Out, video capture, and videoconferencing. Intel's offer will drive support for Windows 95, Win 98, Win NT 4.0, DirectX 5.0, and OpenGL, according to the product information.
Intel officials declined to comment on the specifications of the Intel740 or its launch date. |
