New 13-inch MacBook Pro uses custom-made NVIDIA chipset
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Tue April 13, 2010
Designed explicitly for Apple
The 320M integrated graphics chipset -- found in new 13-inch MacBook Pro models -- was custom-designed for Apple, an NVIDIA spokesperson says. Distinct from the GeForce GT 320M, the chipset is meant for Core 2 Duo-based notebooks, and is reportedly founded on a GT216 architecture with 48 shader cores. It replaces the older GeForce 9400M chipset, according to Apple gaining an 80 percent performance boost.
Systems with the 320M should also support PureVideo HD decoding, and accelerated encoding. The hardware is nevertheless only slightly faster than the 310M, and half as fast as the dedicated 330M graphics card used in new 15- and 17-inch Pros. The 320M remains unable to cope with truly demanding games like Crysis or Need For Speed: Shift, says NotebookCheck. The titles may run properly, but only with low detail settings.
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 1999
Custom design
Yes, a custom design that precludes direct like-for-like comparison with competing products that might otherwise expose what thoroughly bad value the basic 13" Macbook Pro represents.