Intel focuses on "visual computing"

Chipzilla had the Intel Financial Analyst meeting yesterday, and amongst the many topics, which included WiMAX and Processor Technology, the most interesting was purported to be the "visual computing" which is Intel's code for graphics. Eric Mentzer, GM of Intel Graphics Development Group covered both the integrated graphics and the upcoming high-end graphics processor aspect, code named "Larrabee".



According to an article from PC Magazine, the integrated graphics will be dispersed from the chipset to include the CPU. So some 3D and rendering processes will be offloaded to the CPU, while the chipset will still perform basic processes. This will be for low-end to mid-range PCs. With the speed and power of current CPUs, this should enhance quite dramatically all the usual suspects, including HD video playback, HDMI and basic games.

Larrabee on the other hand is a discrete solution, pertaining to the high-end segment of the market. Taking on what I would consider Apple Mac's traditional strong point, Intel seems set to incorporate improvements aimed at HD Video, 3D modeling, and computational modeling. The report also alluded to high performance computing in the medical, financial and oil and gas fields. The problem I foresee is that NVIDIA and ATI will not be standing still, and since this solution from Intel won't be out until sometime in 2009, they are giving their competition lots of warning. I suspect that this time, Intel will not catch them napping.

You can read more here.