One of the first integrated graphics accelerators from Intel is the GMA 950. This solution was introduced in 2008. At that time, this video accelerator was perfect for creating entry-level personal computers. Even some three-dimensional toys, demanding on the hardware resources of the graphics adapter, were launched on it with a resolution of 640 x 480, and even 50-60 frames per second could be obtained. It is about this product that will be discussed in this material.
What users is this accelerator targeted to?
Niche Intel GMA 950 - this is an entry-level personal computer with minimal performance requirements for the graphics subsystem. Such a system unit is perfect for working with office applications, watching videos and launching the most simple toys (for example, turn-based strategies). But something more to get from him in terms of speed will not work. For such PCs, the presence of a discrete accelerator is required, and this will already allow you to run resource-intensive tasks: three-dimensional games, design packages or graphic image processing programs.
System Logic Set and Socket
The Intel GMA 950 graphics card was part of the G45 chipset for the LGA775 processor socket. This solution is focused on the mass segment and had a fairly low cost. The presence of an integrated graphics system made it possible in this case to assemble excellent office system units. Also, this platform was great for creating a basic multimedia system. The presence of a PCI - Express 16X slot made it possible to install discrete graphics solutions in such a personal computer and to get a fully-fledged gaming PC. But more often, the P45 chipset was used for these purposes, which was much cheaper and did not have an integrated video card, but at the same time it was almost as good as the G45 in terms of functionality. Today, from a performance standpoint, the LGA775 is an outdated socket and it is not practical to assemble a new system unit on its basis.
Operating modes
The maximum resolution of the displayed image on the PC display for this solution is 2048px X 1536px. Also supported are 1920px X 1080px (1080p, Full HD), 1280px X 720px (720i) modes. All this makes this accelerator compatible with any modern monitor or TV. That is, it can be connected to any such device and output a picture to it in any of the modes indicated above. Also in the list of supported modes of this video card there are also such output modes as 1024px X 768px, 800px X 600px, 640px X 480px. In the latter case, you can even run quite demanding toys by the standards of 2008.
Technical specifications
At a clock frequency of 250 MHz operates the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor . Features indicate that he can at the same time process 256 bits of information in one clock cycle of his work. The device includes 4 independent pixel processing units. The thermal solution package is 7 W, and its semiconductor crystal is manufactured according to the standards of the technological process, which corresponds to 130 nm.
Memory
Intel GMA 950, like any other integrated graphics accelerator, does not have its own RAM. For his needs, a part of the total RAM, which is installed in the computer system, is reserved. And this nuance is the most bottleneck that limits the adapter. In discrete graphic solutions for the exchange of information with RAM, a separate bus is used with an increased frequency and increased bit depth. It is due to this that in the latter case a significant increase in speed is obtained. The maximum amount of RAM that the video accelerator can use for its needs is 224 MB. The adapter itself can work with both DDR2 and DDR3 modules. The type of RAM depends on the capabilities of the motherboard.
Drivers
Officially, under the control of any operating system of the NT family, the Intel GMA 950 graphics card could function. The characteristics of the drivers for this video solution pointed to this. But for Windows 9X and even for Windows Me specialized drivers from Intel were not presented. As a result, it was possible to put some unified software of such a plan, but at the same time the functionality of the graphical solution was significantly reduced.
Overclocking
Developers for the Intel GMA 950 provided certain opportunities for increasing productivity. In this case, overclocking required the installation of an additional GMA Booster program. This small utility made it possible to increase the frequency of the integrated accelerator of this model, and this, in turn, made it possible to obtain a small increase in speed. Moreover, the difference was so small that there wasn’t much sense in it. Therefore, if it was possible to meet a PC with such an overclocked GPU, then it is extremely rare.
Analogs
The GeForce 9300 from NVidia and Radeon X300 from ATI are the main competitors in the integrated graphics market at the time of the release of the Intel GMA 950. The characteristics of these graphics accelerators are shown in the table.
GeForce 9300, Radeon X300, and GMA 950 Comparative FeaturesNo. | Parameter Name | Gma 950 | Radeon X300 | GeForce 9300 |
one. | Core frequency, MHz | 250 | 325 | 450 |
2. | Bit width of the memory bus, bit | 256 | 128 | 2x64 |
3. | The technological process, nm | 130 | 130 | 65 |
four. | The maximum frequency of RAM, MHz | 1066 | 400 | 667 |
It is clearly seen that the most productive product due to the clock frequency of the GPU is the GeForce 9300, then the Radeon X300, and only then the GMA 950. But the cost of the hero of this review was significantly lower.
Games and performance
According to the results of tests carried out by independent laboratories, it was found that such a graphics accelerator can run such resource-demanding toys as DOOM3 or even HALF LIFE 2 in 1024px X 768px mode, but the refresh rate per second will drop to 10. More detailed test results are given in the table.
Test resultsNo. p / p | Name of game / test application | Mode of operation | Value (number of frames per second / points) |
one. | Half-life 2 | 1024 x 768 | 10 frames per second |
2. | Doom 3 | 1024 x 768 | 10 frames per second |
3. | Unreal tournament | 640 x 480 | 30 frames per second |
four. | Flight sim 2004 | 640 x 480 | 50 frames per second |
5. | 3Dmark 05 | 1024 x 768 | Up to 700 points |
6. | 3DMark 2001SE | 1024 x 768 | Up to 7500 points |
According to their results, it can be noted that this is a typical integrated accelerator that perfectly copes with the simplest tasks, including office ones. To run more demanding applications, the computer must be understaffed with discrete graphics.
The results of the review. Reviews
Of course, Intel GMA 950 is not among the gaming graphics solutions. even by the standards of 2008. Its performance will obviously not be enough for comfortable gameplay. But the simplest tasks (Internet, office, multimedia) on such a video accelerator will go without any problems. The Intel GMA 950 is aimed at this part of the market. Overview reviews on the relevant Internet portals this confirms once again. Well, to solve more serious tasks, a PC must be understaffed with a discrete graphics card.