Integrated Video Chipset Roundup - January 2001

Conclusion

Although an integrated video solution may not be the best option for one in seek of a high performance gaming rig, it seems to strike the perfect balance between price and performance for those shopping on a budget. As we have shown, no longer does settling for an integrated chipset solution require abandoning all hopes of 3D gaming. With the technology out there today, it is perfectly possible to play current 3D games in low resolutions with a low color depth. It may not be ideal, but it will work, especially in cases where 3D gaming may come after business related tasks. The problem may not lie in determining that an integrated chipset is the right platform for your next PC, rather it lies in determining which integrated chipset out there is best for your needs.

Choosing the correct integrated video chipset to provide the foundation to your next PC depends mostly on what you plan on doing with the PC. If 2D performance is crucial and 3D game play is an after thought, then Socket370 owners need to look no further than Intel's own i815 chipset. Providing fast 2D performance, the integrated graphics controller found on the i815 will provide plenty of power to get you through any business application and will also have no problem playing your children's non-3D accelerated games. If you are looking for a similar solution on the Socket-A market, the SiS 730S chipset seems to be your cup of tea, providing the fastest 2D performance and great DVD playback ability.

The scene changes dramatically when one is considering an integrated video solution for 3D gaming. Heavy 3D gamers need not apply, as none of the solutions out there now will even come close to the performance level encountered even with a $100 GeForce2 MX. However, if 3D game play is desired, the Aladdin TNT2 chipset seems to be your best bet for upcoming games when using the Socket370 platform. Although performance is sub par in Unreal Tournament, the current trend in games is to produce high polygon scenes like those found in Quake III Arena, meaning that this test should provide a good basis for future game performance. The problem is that the Aladdin TNT2 does not provide support for an external AGP card, meaning that if the game play speed becomes unbearable, the only hope of relief comes in upgrading the whole motherboard. On the Socket-A front, the KM133 seems to be your best bet. Not only does it provide better performance than the competition, it also features an external AGP slot for future upgrades.

With this information in mind, one should now be able to find the best integrated chipset for your next PC. It may be awhile before we see integrated graphics perform at the same speed level as add-in cards in 3D acceleration, but for now they provide a perfect solution for those out there looking for a pure 2D speed at little cost.