NVIDIA swings faster low-end graphics
updated 11:25 am EDT, Tue May 8, 2007
NVIDIA 7200 GS and 7050PV
NVIDIA this morning gave a lift to normally slow integrated graphics with two additions to its GeForce 7-series cards. Its GeForce 7200 GS (pictured) is thought of as a drop-in fix for users who want faster 3D and Windows Vista performance than soldered-on integrated video can provide but without resorting to costlier upgrades. The PCI Express board can run up to 50 percent faster than the best integrated chipsets available, NVIDIA estimates. The card also inherits all the 3D shader support of the 7-series family and will also accelerate HD video performance. Cards using the fanless 7200 GS chipset should be on sale today through online hardware stores and PC sellers for under $50.
Those who want similar performance in a new PC can also look to the GeForce 7050PV, the company adds. The chipset is integrated with the nForce 630a mainboard and offers much of the same benefit as the 7200 GS without the extra money or filling a useful card slot -- including the PureVideo acceleration for HD clips. Besides the performance gain, the chip can also provide features rarely seen in the class. HDCP encryption is supported directly from the mainboard and allows HDMI output for media center PCs.
Mainboards using the 7050PV will vary in price depending on the options chosen by the company in question; Japan PC builder TwoTop, however, has already announced its new Xcute X6456 mini-tower desktop using the NVIDIA GPU as well as a 2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2, 2GB of RAM, and a 320GB hard drive for $815. [NVIDIA, with TwoTop info via Impress Watch]
