Intel Tapping Into Entry-Level Workstation Graphics With HD P3000 Series

[btarunr]

While its processor-integrated graphics solutions may not be a match for those from NVIDIA and AMD in terms of client applications such as gaming, Intel thinks it has a shot at the entry-level workstation graphics segment, dominated by the likes of NVIDIA Quadro FX 580 and AMD FirePro V3800 series. Workstation GPUs differ from consumer ones as they are accompanied by more API features, are certified by professional 3D modelling software, and are designed to minimize rendering errors since these renders go on to take shape as millions of dollars worth skyscrapers, for example.

Intel thinks that after the performance success of SNA, it has achieved an acceptable level of performance with its integrated graphics design to take it professional. It is doing so by creating workstation-variants of the "Sandy Bridge" and future "Ivy Bridge" silicons in the Xeon E3-1200 series, and giving their integrated graphics increased functionality. The result is a variant of Intel's HD graphics 3000 series, called Intel HD Graphics P3000 series (P denoting professional). Intel is applying for certification by 3D modeling software developers (it's important, because engineers look for these certifications before picking their hardware). The status of its certification with various vendors is detailed in the first slide below.



The next slide (above) details Intel's own performance measurements in applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Cinebench 11.5 R2, and 3DMark Vantage, with various sub-tests. NVIDIA's entry-level Quadro FX 580 was used as a baseline. The HD P3000 scored on-par and outperformed the Quadro FX 580 in all these tests, which is a good feat, considering using the HD P3000 instead of FX 580 results in a $180 saving.

Source: VR-Zone

[NC37]

So Intel, a company that can't get 3D right even if it tried is, instead of investing in actually getting it right, going to leapfrog consumer for the professional sector.

Yeah, this will end well...

[cdawall]

Good thing intel's drivers are so awesome bet those will help with sales a lot.

[Dj-ElectriC]

^^Can't tell if sarcastic of just joking

[xenocide]

This is quite interesting... wonder how that P3000 actually does in it's intended field...

[cdawall]

quite impressive that it can outperform a 9500GT! Go Intel!

[DanTheBanjoman]

I want Larrabee

[treehouse]

so will this be a dedicated graphics card?

[R_1]

Definitely maybe, if those workstations are running professional software as demanding to GPU as Solitaire is. I personally know of some financial software , that needs only Office alike GPU capabilities, so the importance is some spreadsheets to be displayed correctly. Intel can do that, but CAD/CAM 3D modeling - definitely no go. Llano is entry level, but decimates Intel HD Graphics. When Intel reaches Llano in iGPU department , then maybe, if drivers a good enough. Now they don't have the hardware, nor drivers to be comparative, but some paper dragon and big mouth.

[ensabrenoir]

I m always excited to see an intel headline.......but then that word graphic appeared....when from strar trek to beavis and butthead. But who knows....maybe they learned something. Hearing good things about knights corner and ivy.

[LAN_deRf_HA]

I wonder what would be more costly for them. Putting more and more R&D money into trying to compete with AMD in HTPC and nvidia in the mobile market, a battle where their progress is slight at best, or just buying nvidia outright and suddenly being the front runners on all sides.

[D4S4]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

I want Larrabee

yeah, what's up with that architecture, scrapped or still alive?

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by btarunr

The HD P3000 scored on-par and outperformed the Quadro FX 580 in all these tests, which is a good feat, considering using the HD P3000 instead of FX 580 results in a $180 saving.

...FX 580 is the second slowest Quadro card of its gen and it cost $180 so Intel is including a P3000 for free that's awesome. And this is going to be built in.

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

...FX 580 is the second slowest Quadro card of its gen and it cost $180 so Intel is including a P3000 for free that's awesome. And this is going to be built in.

'Free' only with some Xeon E2-1200 models (LGA1155 Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge Xeons). Intel will get to overprice those Xeons considerably, compared to equivalent Core processor models. We'll have to see the price-differences between equivalent Xeon and Core chips. Even if these differences are $100, P3000 will be a great solution as it's saving you $80, not to mention power savings.

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by btarunr

'Free' only with some Xeon E2-1200 models (LGA1155 Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge Xeons). Intel will get to overprice those Xeons considerably, compared to equivalent Core processor models. We'll have to see the price-differences between equivalent Xeon and Core chips. Even if these differences are $100, P3000 will be a great solution as it's saving you $80, not to mention power savings.

I figured Intel would still add some $$, but hey like you said your still going to be saving money and if those numbers are correct you will gain some performance. Also how are Workstations cards at folding? Would be sweet to get some Xeon's for crunching and using the P3000 for folding.

[nINJAkECIL]

How's Photoshop,Cinebench and 3dmark Vantage represents the usage of this chip?
It's not like engineers based on those benchmark to decide what card they'd be using.

[Katanai]

Why don't they just buy Matrox already? For real. Intel is involved more and more in graphics chip production yet they know nothing about what a GPU should be like and their current chips are proof of this. I'm not talking about gaming power or anything like that but about the overall quality of the picture you receive from these chips which is horrible compared to Nvidia or AMD and now they wanna make professional cards?!? They must buy Matrox or another company who has a ton of patents and innovations in the picture quality aspect of the GPU or else more and more people will be forced to use their GPUs who represent pictures horribly on the screen. Matrox would be the perfect candidate to give their graphics division a much needed boost...

[faramir]

Whoa, nothing but kids posting so far on this thread This is about professional 3D graphics (for 3D modelling and such), i.e. the thing that costed a shitload of money in 1990s but can be performed by even the crappiest graphics card today, as evidenced by the offerings of both major 3D GPU purveyors.

If Intel can get their drivers certified they get their hand into another cookie jar. Achieving acceptable level of performance for this segment is hardly a technological feat as far as hardware is concerned.

Most of you really need to get out of their OMFGcanitrunCrisysLOL!111oneone!1 mindset - there is far more to PC industry out there and the world doesn't revolve around games.

[1freedude]

I don't see it working just because of memory problems. Load these up with a thousand or two thousand parts, and see what happens.

[ViperXTR]

I believe i read that the article posted and the slides says "Entry Level Workstation" and not mid to high end '__'

[wahdangun]

wow, intel and their driver must be awsome, tbh in "professional" market $180 different is nothing. and they don't give a crap about power consumption. so what intel do is kind of moot point especially people think about intel iGP is always crappy.

[HalfAHertz]

The professional cards are almost identical to the consumer graphics the only major difference is the drivers and this is where intel fails to deliver every time. I don't see this taking off any time soon.

[ayban]

softmoding "HD" Graphics to be "Professional" Graphics. Nice move Intel.

[Morgoth]

i realy like to see intel getting involved with the main gpu mainstream like ati and nvidea