AMD targets Vista with 690 chipset featuring ATI graphics

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 01 March 2007 01:45

Your IT - Home IT

AMD's new 690 chipset - the first to incorporate ATI graphics technology - is aimed directly at the Windows Vista market.

The 690 chipset incorporates ATI Radeon X1250 graphics, allowing the use of Vista features such as Areo, Flip and Flip 3D on appropriate versions of the operating system.

It also incorporates Avivo technology for smooth video playback, even with high-defiinition content. Separate HDMI and DVI interfaces are provided, along with on-chip HDCP support. These features allow direct all-digital connections to modern large screen TVs and video projectors as well as video projects for the best image quality, and are likely to appeal to buyers planning to use Vista's Media Center capabilities.

AMD also offers a slightly cheaper version of the chipset that lacks HDMI and DVI support.

"With its leading image quality and 3D graphics capabilities, the AMD 690 series chipset is a proven performer, easily handling the demanding workloads of today’s PC users," said Phil Eisler, corporate vice president and general manager, AMD Chipset Division.

Microsoft welcomed the announcement. "As one of the first chipsets with motherboard graphics to receive the Certified for Windows Vista logo, the AMD 690 family is a testament to the ongoing relationship between Microsoft and AMD," said Dave Wascha, Microsoft's director of partner marketing for Windows Client. "ATI Radeon graphics deliver excellent Windows Vista performance. We’re proud that together we’re able to provide consumers worldwide an experience that is easier, safer, more entertaining and better connected whether at home, at work, or on the go."

According to AMD, over 30 motherboard designs using the new chipset will be available from companies such as ASUS, EPoX, Foxconn, Gigabyte and MSI.

Incorporating graphics onto the motherboard helps keep costs down. 690 motherboards are expected to sell for around $US80. While this arrangement is popular among mainstream buyers for its cost-effectiveness, serious gamers prefer separate graphics cards for maximum performance.

AMD has previously outlined its plans to build the functions currently performed by graphics chips into the main processor. Delivery of these Fusion processors should begin in 2009 with parts initially aimed at the notebook market.