GMA X3000 and Vista Aero???

[Peter Olcott]

I am trying to find the best built-in graphics processor
that can run Vista Aero.

 

[Paul]

I am trying to find the best built-in graphics processor
that can run Vista Aero.

Another article where X3000 wins.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2121193,00.asp

But note the quote:

"The GMA X3000 actually outscores the competition, but as
we've seen, the Intel solution has compatibility issues
that the more-traditional architectures don't encounter."

That is in reference to their games testing, where the Intel
wouldn't play one of the games. The review is from April 2007,
so not much time has passed since the review was done.

Is there a particular reason you don't want to use a graphics
card ? Are you fitting the motherboard in a small computer
case ?

There are some low profile video cards (but not all of them come
with low profile faceplates, which is why they are hard to
identify in text searches).

Paul

 

[Peter Olcott]

Another article where X3000 wins.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2121193,00.asp

But note the quote:

"The GMA X3000 actually outscores the competition, but
as
we've seen, the Intel solution has compatibility
issues
that the more-traditional architectures don't
encounter."

That is in reference to their games testing, where the
Intel
wouldn't play one of the games. The review is from April
2007,
so not much time has passed since the review was done.

Is there a particular reason you don't want to use a
graphics
card ? Are you fitting the motherboard in a small computer
case ?

There are some low profile video cards (but not all of
them come
with low profile faceplates, which is why they are hard to
identify in text searches).

Paul

I would rather avoid dealing with the issue altogether. By
sticking with an onboard controller, I minimize the
complexity. Since I must test compatibility with Vista Aero,
I must have hardware that can exercise all of the
capabilities. I tried an add-on card once, and there were
issues, it did not work properly, and I had to remove it.

 

[Paul]

I would rather avoid dealing with the issue altogether. By
sticking with an onboard controller, I minimize the
complexity. Since I must test compatibility with Vista Aero,
I must have hardware that can exercise all of the
capabilities. I tried an add-on card once, and there were
issues, it did not work properly, and I had to remove it.

Well, if the GMA X3000 failed a gaming test, then it is probably
not the solution you are looking for either. So what you need to
do, is stop worrying about performance, and find the most
"compliant" solution. Considering the maturity of Vista drivers,
in either the ATI or the Nvidia camps, I'm not sure this is an
easy thing to do. ATI and Nvidia are probably ahead of Intel, when
it comes to skills regarding graphics, but they have also done
a poor job of having drivers tested and ready, when Vista shipped.
Nvidia is gradually adding back features to their product (I think
SLI is still broken).

It would be nice if you could get this level of detail.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/13550/ENG/relnotes_winvista_gfx.htm

Nvidia does have release notes for their major releases, but because the
drivers cover so many cards, it is hard to say whether every issue
users have found, would be listed there.

http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/162.22/162.22_WinVista_Forceware_Release_Notes.pdf

This is the latest ATI Catalyst driver note.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/catalyst_78_release_notes.html

Each one of them has issues, so I don't think a Vista user can
really escape. Pick your own poison.

There is always the warm glow of WinXP to consider

Paul