Chipmakers AMD  and Intel are locked in a fight to the death, but will AMD's acquisition of ATI, longstanding maker of high-performance graphics chips, give it an edge?
The answer, according to experts at some of the largest research firms, is maybe -- with a promising outlook for AMD.
Perhaps most promising is AMD's Fusion program, which will combine AMD's CPUs with ATI's GPUs (graphics processing units) in a single, unified processor.
Fusion products are expected to debut in late 2007 or early 2008, according to AMD.
Power Promise
Samir Bhavnani of Current Analysis noted that Fusion might cut down on computers' power needs. "One of the biggest benefits to combining the CPU and GPU on a single chip is not only better overall system performance, but, importantly, more energy efficiency ," said Bhavnani.
As companies strive to reduce the heat factors and high energy costs in data centers, chips that consume less energy (and, correspondingly, fewer dollars) might prove attractive to corporate buyers.
Peter Kastner, vice president and research director for information technology at the Aberdeen Group, said Fusion could lower costs not only for power, but also for new machines themselves.
"AMD with ATI can create a one-chip computer that contains the functions that in the past have been in the chipset and the processor," said Kastner. "That would allow a much less expensive PC to be made, because you'd have fewer chips to put on the motherboard."
Just how low could prices drop? Those who are enthusiastic about this integration should exercise caution, said Kastner. "I don't see this as moving to $200 PCs."
View on Vista
Bhavnani added that the Fusion chips could have a direct impact on users who plan to install a high-end version of Windows Vista that has Aero, an advanced interface that will only run on computers that can handle a heavy graphics load.
"Users will have the best visual experience if they utilize a higher-end graphics solution and be able to experience Aero," said Bhavnani. (continued...)
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