Intel has unveiled the next version of its GMA integrated graphics engine family, a part it claimed will deliver three times the 3DMark06 performance of its predecessors, today's GMA 3100.
Of course, the 3100 isn't Intel's top-performing integrated GPU - that award goes to the GMA X3500 that's built into the company's G35 chipset, but the upcoming GMA X4500 should still deliver a big boost in the benchmarks.
Due to be built into the G45 chipset - presumably part of the 'Eaglelake' family - the X4500 supports DirectX 10 and Shader Model 4.0. It will also support the emerging HDMI-for-monitors DisplayPort interface standard. HDMI will also be supported for TV connections - complete with HDCP anti-piracy technology - and DVI for compatibility with old screens.
The encryption key management component of HDCP is integrated into the chipset, Intel said, allowing it to claim the part offers "hardware-based content encryption". Almost certainly, this is an off-shoot of the integrated crypto system, codenamed 'Danbury', that Intel will also be pushing at big businesses through the next version of its vPro corporate PC platform.
A new, more advanced version of Intel Clear Video Technology will smooth the playback of content from Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD media.
G45 is expected to be formally launched in Q2 2008. It will incorporate the ICH10 family of southbridge I/O
