Next Intel Atom will still have DX9 graphics

FUD Zilla reports the "Pineview" Atom processors which will arrive by the end of the year will still have DirectX 9 graphics, as the platform will stick with the GMA 950 integrated graphics. Not that it really matters though, as this IGP doesn't even have enough power to run DX9 games. If you really want an Atom-based system with relatively decent graphics you should wait for the NVIDIA Ion platform, the first Ion systems are expected in June and more will follow in the second half of this year.

This graphics is a part of the infamous 945GSE chipset that we've all learned to hate in the last year of Atom, primarily due to its lack of HD acceleration and lack of any decent gaming acceleration. However, the graphics component of Atom Pineview might end up with a higher clock compared to the 945GSE.

The new Pineview Atom CPU will connect with Tiger Point chipset and this two-chip concept should bring approximately 70 percent of reduction in total kit package. Intel also claims up to 50 percent reduction in total kit TDP thermal dissipation.

Both the graphics and the memory controller are on the CPU and the new memory controller can support DDR2 800 memory. Nvidia now really has a chance with its Ion and the fact that Intel just licensed SLI for its Smackover X58 reference motherboard, means that there might be an agreement between Intel and Nvidia that will give Ion a chance.