Even the geekiest PC modders are more apt to max their rig's performance with CPU power and memory upgrades instead of supplanting a brand new PC chipset. AMD knows this and has literally thrown everything sans the proverbial kitchen sink into its new 690 processor. Highlights include enhanced shadow effects, and extra-integrated graphics from the Shader Model 2 capabilities. Doom 3 and Unreal Tournament run surprisingly well on the 690's graphics alone at blazing frame rates. In fact, the chipset's integrated graphics capabilities are on par with several -albeit older-video cards, such as AMD's ATI Radeon 9700.
Review: AMD 690 Chipset Processor
Even the geekiest PC modders are more apt to max their rig’s performance with CPU power and memory upgrades instead of supplanting a brand new PC chipset. AMD knows this and has literally thrown everything sans the proverbial kitchen sink into its new 690 processor. Highlights include enhanced shadow effects, and extra-integrated graphics from the […]
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WIRED
High-definition support through DVI and HDMI outputs. Offers Avivo video processing for video playback. Runs Windows Vista Aero (which usually requires a discrete GPU.) Lets you goof off by playing graphically intensive games on PCs without a video card.
TIRED
Video card still required for playing uber-nerd titles like Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls IV at maximum resolution. May not be able to take advantage of next-gen games due to lack of DirectX 10 API compatibility.