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Intel's Crestline integrated graphics to run DirectX 10
It's an utterly inevitable upgrade to Intel's ubiquitous integrated graphics mobile chipsets, but we're still pleased to hear that it's coming sooner rather than later. TG Daily has learned that Intel's upcoming GM965 Crestline chipset, the core of the "Santa Rosa" platform, is indeed DirectX 10 compatible. It was already a bit of a surprise that some integrated graphics chips could handle Vista's Aero, but DirectX 10 implies a level of performance that should considerably exceed what we've seen in integrated laptop graphics previously. Naturally, we're not expecting much in the way of Crysis-level accomplishments (pictured), but that game is only the most visible of what are sure to be many more DirectX 10 games and apps in the future. The most recent word is that the chipset should be making its debut in May, with four FSB800 processors in tow: the 1.8GHz T7100, 2.0GHz T7300, 2.2GHz T7500 and 2.4GHz T7600. A couple of low-voltage versions should show up soon after that.
MSI's GX700 gives way to Intel 965PM and NVIDIA NB8P
It's no secret that CES gave way to a smorgasbord of new kit for us all to drool over, but it seems that MSI showcased two forthcoming technologies that weren't exactly set for public unveiling. NotebookReview happened to take a gander at the innocent looking 17-inch GX700, and in the process of admiring its expansive WSXGA+ display and Core 2 Duo processor, they also noted the strange black line crossing out the Intel 965PM chipset feature, which is supposedly the yet-to-be-disclosed "Crestline" chipset that will support the Santa Rosa (er, Centrino Pro) processor platform. Additionally, the lappie sports a full-size keyboard, dual-layer DVD burner, 4-in-1 card reader, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, an optional DVB-T tuner, ExpressCard slot, audio in / out, and curiously enough, an NVIDIA NB8P graphics card, which also lacks a formal announcement of its existence. Of course, both of these mysterious components could face naming changes or technical revisions before getting official, but it's fairly safe to assume that we'll be seeing a new chipset / graphics card finding homes in laptops here before too long.[Via Laptoping]
