NVIDIA Introduces Desktop Chipset for Intel Processors

MacRumors · Oct 21, 2008, 12:00 PM

NVIDIA announced yesterday the GeForce® 9400 and 9300 motherboard GPUs which offer desktop equivalents to the NVIDIA mobile chips adopted by Apple in their new notebooks:

Quote:

“These new mGPUs give NVIDIA a big advantage over other integrated graphics chips,” said Dr. Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research. “By doing so much parallel processing on a single chip, they can accelerate the new visual computing applications people are getting, and at a reasonable price. The GeForce 9400 and 9300 mGPUs set a new standard for what users should expect from today’s more mainstream desktop systems.”

It's not clear if this technology would find any use in future Apple Macs. Apple has traditionally based their iMac around the same chips and technology that power their notebook computers, while using server-class technology in their Mac Pros. In the past, Apple has not used Intel's desktop offerings.

Article Link: NVIDIA Introduces Desktop Chipset for Intel Processors

DMann · Oct 21, 2008, 12:02 PM

This is very cool - at least a slight improvement over integrated graphics as we know it.

cantthinkofone · Oct 21, 2008, 12:08 PM

From the specs i saw, i can't wait. Hopfully macworld for the imac.

Marble · Oct 21, 2008, 12:09 PM

Could an integrated NVIDIA graphics chip like this be even fathomably comparative to the low-end card in the iMac right now - the 2400XT?

kenned · Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

could even be great for the mini too!

angemon89 · Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Oh yeah, Mac Mini needs these!

KindredMAC · Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

Any integrated graphics chip from NVIDIA is still quantum leaps ahead of Intel's offerings over the past 2 years.

I wouldn't mind horribly if the low end iMacs had these and we saw the return to a $999 entry price point.

Hattig · Oct 21, 2008, 12:11 PM

I hope to see one of these in a new Mac Mini coming out within the next month.

I also hope to see the iMac incorporating this, and dropping the price at the low-end (20") due to a lower component cost (single chip chipset vs. two chip chipset and discrete GPU with its own memory). Hopefully the higher specification iMac will still utilise a discrete GPU.

FF_productions · Oct 21, 2008, 12:12 PM

Mac Mini will get its hand on these chips.

costabunny · Oct 21, 2008, 12:15 PM

oooh please for the mni - its all I desire in one

nick9191 · Oct 21, 2008, 12:17 PM

If the 9400 is half the speed of the 8600 GT in the old Macbook Pro then I'm pretty sure its about the same as the iMacs 2400XT.

Put this in the low end iMac and drop the price to $999 yes please.

greenmeanie · Oct 21, 2008, 12:19 PM

Great news.

themoonisdown09 · Oct 21, 2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

In the past, Apple has not used Intel's desktop offerings.

I think everyone is forgetting about this line. Who knows, it could happen.

rufwork · Oct 21, 2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themoonisdown09

I think everyone is forgetting about this line. Who knows, it could happen.

Is the Mini's integrated chip mobile or desktop?

amac4me · Oct 21, 2008, 12:27 PM

The switch to Intel processors is making more sense with each passing day.

dr_lha · Oct 21, 2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF_productions

Mac Mini will get its hand on these chips.

More likely the Mac Mini will get the same chip as the MacBook, given that Apple don't use Desktop chips in any of their machines.

RemarkabLee · Oct 21, 2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufwork

Is the Mini's integrated chip mobile or desktop?

mobile

twoodcc · Oct 21, 2008, 12:31 PM

well i doubt this will go in the imac or mac mini (desktop version), but instead probably the mobile version instead. but it's still good to see this

jdmlight · Oct 21, 2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

In the past, Apple has not used Intel's desktop offerings.

Yeah, because Apple doesn't offer a "normal" desktop. They have the Mac mini and the iMac, which are such a small form factor that they need to use mobile GPUs. On the other hand, the Mac Pro is basically a server so it uses better-than-desktop quality parts.

*hint* *hint* Apple should begin using these desktop GPUs by introducing a desktop for the masses...y'know...something the size of my G4 with a couple of PCI (or PCIe) slots that doesn't cost a fortune...

koobcamuk · Oct 21, 2008, 12:32 PM

All of a sudden, the Mac Mini has nearly become that mini-tower people wanted. Aside from drive bays and all that (get some externals), it'll be a great purchase. Will probably be all black and glossy too.

GT500Shlby · Oct 21, 2008, 12:34 PM

They could license mainstream desktop offerings to Psystar. That would give them a larger sale base and probably take soem sort of profit share from psystar.

kjs862 · Oct 21, 2008, 12:36 PM

Hasn't the imac always used a dedicated graphics card. Isn't this report about an integrated graphics chip?

KindredMAC · Oct 21, 2008, 12:39 PM

I believe that the low end iMac ($899-$999 can't remember) had an integrated graphic chip for a short period around the Intel switch over.

Going over to Everymac.com to double check.

KindredMAC · Oct 21, 2008, 12:41 PM

Yup.... 2 models sported it.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl....83_17_ig.html
http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...nch-specs.html

Looks like it was Core Duo and Core 2 Duo of the same processor speed.

NEiMac · Oct 21, 2008, 12:43 PM

The Mac Mini would fricken rock with the new Nvidia in it. I would get one in a hurry if they release them along with allot of other people I'm sure.

Oct 21, 2008, 12:02 PM	#2
DMann macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 10023	This is very cool - at least a slight improvement over integrated graphics as we know it. __________________ Think Different - Innovate

Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM	#5
kenned macrumors member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denmark	could even be great for the mini too! __________________ Aluminum MacBook 2.0, iPod Nano 8GB 4th gen, Canon EOS 450D

Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM	#6
angemon89 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The place where Apple designs stuff	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20) Oh yeah, Mac Mini needs these! __________________ iMac, MacBook, iPhone 3GS Assembled in China

Oct 21, 2008, 12:10 PM	#7
KindredMAC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003	Any integrated graphics chip from NVIDIA is still quantum leaps ahead of Intel's offerings over the past 2 years. I wouldn't mind horribly if the low end iMacs had these and we saw the return to a $999 entry price point. __________________ "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose." - Steve Jobs

Oct 21, 2008, 12:11 PM	#8
Hattig macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2003	I hope to see one of these in a new Mac Mini coming out within the next month. I also hope to see the iMac incorporating this, and dropping the price at the low-end (20") due to a lower component cost (single chip chipset vs. two chip chipset and discrete GPU with its own memory). Hopefully the higher specification iMac will still utilise a discrete GPU. __________________ iBook — 12" 1.33GHz, 1.5GB RAM, 40GB, Combodrive, 200GB Firewire Hard Drive :: iPod — 8GB Black G3 iPod nano

Oct 21, 2008, 12:08 PM	#3
cantthinkofone macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Missouri, USA	From the specs i saw, i can't wait. Hopfully macworld for the imac.

Oct 21, 2008, 12:09 PM	#4
Marble macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2003 Location: Norwich, Norfolk	Could an integrated NVIDIA graphics chip like this be even fathomably comparative to the low-end card in the iMac right now - the 2400XT?

Oct 21, 2008, 12:12 PM	#9
FF_productions macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mt. Prospect, Illinois	Mac Mini will get its hand on these chips. __________________ Mac Pro, Quad 2.66, 11 GB ram, 4.5 TB's, 7300GT PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 1.5 GB 23" Cinema Join The World Community Grid! Also Visit My Site

Oct 21, 2008, 12:15 PM	#10
costabunny macrumors Demi-Goddess Join Date: May 2008 Location: Weymouth, England	oooh please for the mni - its all I desire in one __________________ Did I really just say that?? what was I thinking......

Oct 21, 2008, 12:17 PM	#11
nick9191 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Britain	If the 9400 is half the speed of the 8600 GT in the old Macbook Pro then I'm pretty sure its about the same as the iMacs 2400XT. Put this in the low end iMac and drop the price to $999 yes please.

Oct 21, 2008, 12:19 PM	#12
greenmeanie macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CT	Great news.

Oct 21, 2008, 12:27 PM	#15
amac4me macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005	The switch to Intel processors is making more sense with each passing day. __________________ Switch To A Mac http://switchtoamac.com

Oct 21, 2008, 12:31 PM	#18
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	well i doubt this will go in the imac or mac mini (desktop version), but instead probably the mobile version instead. but it's still good to see this __________________ tville pump Smarter than the average bear

Oct 21, 2008, 12:32 PM	#20
koobcamuk macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2006	All of a sudden, the Mac Mini has nearly become that mini-tower people wanted. Aside from drive bays and all that (get some externals), it'll be a great purchase. Will probably be all black and glossy too. __________________ \|\| Get Dropbox! \|\| Photos \|\| My Ph.D \|\|

Oct 21, 2008, 12:34 PM	#21
GT500Shlby macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA	They could license mainstream desktop offerings to Psystar. That would give them a larger sale base and probably take soem sort of profit share from psystar. __________________ MBP: 17" Matte, 3.06 GHz C2D, 4 GB, 500GB 5400rpm, 10.5.8 iPhone 3G S: 32GB Black '09 Mac Mini: 4GB RAM, 160GB Intel X25-M SSD, Dell 27" LCD, 10.5.8

Oct 21, 2008, 12:36 PM	#22
kjs862 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island	Hasn't the imac always used a dedicated graphics card. Isn't this report about an integrated graphics chip? __________________ Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0Ghz (1 Gen), 6.5GB Ram, X800XT, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Oct 21, 2008, 12:39 PM	#23
KindredMAC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003	I believe that the low end iMac ($899-$999 can't remember) had an integrated graphic chip for a short period around the Intel switch over. Going over to Everymac.com to double check. __________________ "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose." - Steve Jobs

Oct 21, 2008, 12:41 PM	#24
KindredMAC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003	Yup.... 2 models sported it. http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl....83_17_ig.html http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...nch-specs.html Looks like it was Core Duo and Core 2 Duo of the same processor speed. __________________ "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose." - Steve Jobs

Oct 21, 2008, 12:43 PM	#25
NEiMac macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: THe really dry side of the Pacific NW	The Mac Mini would fricken rock with the new Nvidia in it. I would get one in a hurry if they release them along with allot of other people I'm sure.

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