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Intel GMA
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Intel GMA
API support
Direct3DDirect3D 9.0 (for GMA 950 and older)[1]
Direct3D 10.0 (for GMA X3100 and later)[1]
Shader Model 2.0 (for GMA 3000 and older)[1]
Shader Model 3.0 (for GMA X3000)[1]
Shader Model 4.0 (for GMA X3100 and later)[1]
OpenCLN/A[1]
OpenGLOpenGL 2.1[1]
History
PredecessorIntel Extreme Graphics
SuccessorIntel HD and Iris Graphics

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) is a series of integrated graphics processors introduced in 2004 by Intel, replacing the earlier Intel Extreme Graphics series and being succeeded by the Intel HD and Iris Graphics series.

This series targets the market of low-cost graphics solutions. The products in this series are integrated onto the motherboard, have limited graphics processing power, and use the computer's main memory for storage instead of a dedicated video memory. They were commonly found on netbooks, low-priced laptops and desktop computers, as well as business computers which do not need high levels of graphics capability. In early 2007, about 90% of all PC motherboards sold had an integrated GPU.[2]

History

[edit]

The GMA line of GPUs replaces the earlier Intel Extreme Graphics, and the Intel740 line, the latter of which was a discrete unit in the form of AGP and PCI cards with technology that evolved from companies Real3D and Lockheed Martin. Later, Intel integrated the i740 core into the Intel 810 northbridge.[3]

The original architecture of GMA systems supported only a few functions in hardware, and relied on the host CPU to handle at least some of the graphics pipeline, further decreasing performance. However, with the introduction of Intel's 4th generation of GMA architecture (GMA X3000) in 2006, many of the functions are now built into the hardware, providing an increase in performance. The 4th generation of GMA combines fixed function capabilities with a threaded array of programmable executions units, providing advantages to both graphics and video performance. Many of the advantages of the new GMA architecture come from the ability to flexibly switch as needed between executing graphics-related tasks or video-related tasks. While GMA performance has been widely criticized in the past as being too slow for computer games, sometimes being derogatorily nicknamed Intel 'GMD' (Graphics Media Decelerator) and being essentially referred to as the world's first "graphics decelerator" since the low-performing S3 ViRGE, the latest GMA generation should ease many of those concerns for the casual gamer.

Despite similarities, Intel's main series of GMA Integrated Graphics Processors (IGPs) is not based on the PowerVR technology Intel licensed from Imagination Technologies. Intel used the low-power PowerVR MBX designs in chipsets supporting their XScale platform, and since the sale of XScale in 2006 has licensed the PowerVR SGX and used it in the GMA 500 IGP for use with their Atom platform.

With the introduction of the Platform Controller Hub, the Graphics Media Accelerator series ceased, and the CPU-based Intel HD and Iris Graphics series was created.

GMA Generation 3

[edit]

GMA 900

[edit]

The GMA 900 was the first graphics core produced under Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator product name, and was incorporated in the Intel 910G, 915G, and 915Gx chipsets.

The 3D architecture of the GMA 900 was a significant upgrade from the previous Extreme 3D graphics processors. It is a 4 pixel per clock cycle design supporting DirectX 9 pixel shader model 2.0. It operates at a clock rate ranging from 160 to 333 MHz, depending on the particular chipset. At 333 MHz, it has a peak pixel fill-rate of 1332 megapixels per second. However, the architecture still lacks support for hardware transform and lighting and the similar vertex shader technologies.

Like previous Intel integrated graphics parts, the GMA 900 has hardware support for MPEG-2 motion compensation, color-space conversion and DirectDraw overlay.

The processor uses different separate clock generators for display and render cores. The display unit includes a 400 MHz RAMDAC, two 25–200 Mpixel/s serial DVO ports, and two display controllers. In mobile chipsets, up to two 18-bit 25–112 MHz LVDS transmitters are included.

GMA 950

[edit]

The GMA 950 was the second graphics core produced under Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator product name, and was incorporated in the Intel 945G chipsets.

The processor includes an up to 400 MHz 256-bit core, supporting up to 10.6 GB/s memory bandwidth with DDR2-667 system RAM, up to 224 MB max. video memory through DVMT scheme, 1.6 GPixels/s and 1.6 GTexels/s fill rate, a max. resolution of 2048x1536 for both analog and digital displays, 2 SDVO ports for flat-panels and/or TV-Out via ADD2 cards or media expansion cards.

3D-wise, GMA 950 supports up to four pixels per clock rendering, Microsoft DirectX 9.0 hardware acceleration & Vertex shader 3.0 and OpenGL 1.4 with ARB extensions on Windows.

GMA 3100

[edit]

Integrated graphics found on Q33, Q35, G31 and G33 chipsets. It supports Pixel Shader 2.0 with OpenGL 1.4, but Hardware Vertex Shader isn't supported.

GMA 3150

[edit]

Found in Intel Atom D4xx, D5xx, N4xx and N5xx (codenamed Pineview) processors. Like GMA 3100 and GMA 3000, this is a very close relative of the GMA900/950, completely different from the GMA X3000 series. Supports up to 384 MB video memory (Using the Windows XP driver), DirectX 9.0c, Shader Model 2.0, OpenGL 1.4 with Microsoft Windows and OpenGL 2.1 with Linux.[4]

GMA Generation 4

[edit]

GMA 3000

[edit]

The 946GZ, Q963 and Q965 chipsets use the GMA 3000 graphics core.[5][6] The GMA 3000 3D core is very different from the X3000, despite their similar names. It is based more directly on the previous generation GMA 900 and GMA 950 graphics, and belonging to the same "i915" family with them. It has pixel shaders which only support Shader Model 2.0b features,[citation needed] and the vertex shaders are still software-emulated. In addition, hardware video acceleration such as hardware-based iDCT computation, ProcAmp (video stream independent color correction), and VC-1 decoding are not implemented in hardware. Of the GMA 3000-equipped chipsets, only the Q965 retains dual independent display support. The core speed is rated at 400 MHz with 1.6 Gpixel/s fill rate in datasheets, but was listed as 667 MHz core in the white paper.[7]

The memory controller can now address a maximum of 256 MB of system memory, and the integrated serial DVO ports have increased top speed to 270 Mpixel/s.

GMA X3000

[edit]

The GMA X3000 for desktop was "substantially redesigned" when compared to previous GMA iterations[8] and it is used in the Intel G965 north bridge controller.[9] The GMA X3000 was launched in July 2006.[10] The GMA X3000's underlying 3D rendering hardware is organized as a unified shader processor consisting of 8 scalar execution units. Each pipeline can process video, vertex, or texture operations. A central scheduler dynamically dispatches threads to pipeline resources, to maximize rendering throughput (and decrease the impact of individual pipeline stalls.) However, due to the scalar nature of the execution units, they can only process data on a single pixel component at a time.[11] The GMA X3000 supports DirectX 9.0 with vertex and pixel Shader Model 3.0 features.

The processor consists of different clock domains, meaning that the entire chip does not operate the same clock speed. This causes some difficulty when measuring peak throughput of its various functions. Further adding to the confusion, it is listed as 667 MHz in Intel G965 white paper, but listed as 400 MHz in Intel G965 datasheet. There are various rules that define the IGP's processing capabilities.[11]

Memory controller can now address maximum 384 MB memory according to white paper, but only 256 MB in datasheet.

GMA X3500

[edit]

GMA X3500 is an upgrade of the GMA X3000 and used in the desktop G35. The shaders support shader model 4.0 features. Architecturally, the GMA X3500 is very similar to the GMA X3000,[12] with both graphics cores running at 667 MHz. The major difference between them is that the GMA X3500 supports Shader Model 4.0 and DirectX 10, whereas the earlier X3000 supports Shader Model 3.0 and DirectX 9.[12] The X3500 also adds hardware-assistance for playback of VC-1 video.

GMA X3100

[edit]

The GMA X3100 is the mobile version of the GMA X3500 used in the Intel GL960/GM965 chipsets and also in the GS965 chipset. The X3100 supports hardware transform and lighting, up to eight programmable shader units, and up to 384 MB video memory. Its display cores can run up to 333 MHz on GM965 and 320 MHz on GL960. Its render cores can run up to 500 MHz on GM965 and 400 MHz on GL960. The X3100 display unit includes a 300 MHz RAMDAC, two 25–112 MHz LVDS transmitters, 2 DVO encoders, and a TV encoder. Under Windows, the driver supports DirectX 10.0,[13][14] Shader Model 4.0 and OpenGL 1.5.[14][15] Under Linux, OpenGL 2.1 is supported.

GMA 4500

[edit]

Integrated graphics found on B43, Q43 and Q45 chipsets.[16][17][18]

Model number Year Tier Execution units Boost Clock (MHz) max GFLOPS
GMA 4500 2008 ? 10 533

GMA X4500

[edit]

The GMA X4500 and the GMA X4500HD for desktop platforms[19] were launched in June 2008.[20] The GMA X4500 is used in G43 chipset[21] and the GMA X4500HD is used in the G45 chipset.[19] The GMA X4500 is also used in the G41 chipset,[17] which was released in September 2008.[22]

The difference between the GMA X4500 and the GMA X4500HD is that the GMA X4500HD is capable of "full 1080p high-definition video playback, including Blu-ray disc movies".[19][23] Only GMA X4500HD, X4500MHD and X4700MHD has AVC HD decoding support.

Like the X3500, X4500 supports DirectX 10 and Shader Model 4.0 features. Intel designed the GMA X4500 to be 200% faster than the GMA 3100 (G33 chipset) in 3DMark06 performance[24] and 70% faster than the GMA X3500 (G35 chipset).[25]

Model number Year Tier Execution units Boost Clock (MHz) max GFLOPS
GMA X4500 2008 ? 10 800 32

GMA 4500MHD

[edit]

The GMA 4500MHD for laptops was launched on July 16, 2008. Featurewise, the 4500MHD is identical to its desktop cousin, the X4500HD.[citation needed] The GMA 4500MHD is used in GM45 chipsets, cantiga

GMA X4700MHD

[edit]

The GMA X4700MHD for laptops was launched in October 2008. It is the last product of Intel GMA. In a way, it belongs to the 4500MHD series, and it is used in the GM47 chipsets, Montevina.

It features 80 shading units, 10 texture mapping units, and 1 ROPs. Compared to the 4500MHD, the frequency is increased to 640 MHz.

PowerVR GPU series

[edit]

Intel developed a new set of low power graphics architecture based on PowerVR.

The available Linux drivers do not support much of this.[26]

PowerVR SGX 535 based

[edit]

GMA 500

[edit]

The Intel SCH (System Controller Hub; codenamed Poulsbo) for the Atom processor Z5xx series features a GMA 500 graphic system. Rather than being developed in-house, this core is a PowerVR SGX 535 core licensed from Imagination Technologies.[27]

Intel describes this as "a flexible, programmable architecture that supports shader-based technology, 2D, 3D and advanced 3D graphics, high-definition video decode, and image processing. Features include screen tiling, internal true color processing, zero overhead anti-aliasing, programmable shader 3D accelerator, and 32-bit floating-point operations."[28]

GMA

[edit]

Intel launched the Atom Z24xx (Medfield) platform as a series of ultra-low power processors for smartphones. While Intel indicates that this chip contains an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator, they do not specify a GPU model number.[29] This GPU is known to be a PowerVR SGX540.

GMA 600

[edit]

A revised version of the previous Intel SCH (System Controller Hub) for the Atom Z6xx series CPU codenamed Lincroft. Essentially, this is the same graphic system as the GMA 500, but clocked at double the speed. (From 200 MHz to 400 MHz).[30]

PowerVR SGX 545 based

[edit]

GMA 3600

[edit]

This integrated graphics system was released in Intel Atom (Cedar Trail, 32 nm) and based on PowerVR SGX545. Unlike the original PowerVR solution, this model is clocked at 400 MHz instead of 200 MHz.[31] It is specifically found in the Intel Atom N2600 processor[32] and Atom D2500[33] models. It supports DirectX version 9.0c.

GMA 3650

[edit]

Similar to the GMA 3600, but this version is clocked at 640 MHz.[31] It is found in Atom N2800, Atom D2550, Atom D2500, Atom D2600 and Atom D2700 models. It supports DirectX version 9.0c.

Specifications

[edit]
Main article: Comparison of Intel graphics processing units

Protected Audio Video Path

[edit]

Protected Audio Video Path (PAVP) restricts the data path within a computer during video playback (e.g., Blu-ray discs). It is supported by newer chipsets (e.g. Intel G45) and operating systems (since Windows Vista).[34]

PAVP can be configured in the BIOS. Different modes are supported:

  1. Disabled.
  2. PAVP Lite: Reserves buffer memory for encryption of compressed video data.
  3. Paranoid PAVP: Reserve memory during boot which isn't seen by the Operating System. This disables Windows Aero in Windows Vista.

The default setting in most BIOS is PAVP Lite.

Within Intel HD Graphics, the successor of Intel GMA, a similar technology called Intel Insider exists.

Software support

[edit]

Mac OS X

[edit]

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger supports the GMA 950, since it was used in previous revisions of the MacBook, Mac mini, and 17-inch iMac.[35] It had been used in all Intel-based Mac minis until the Mac mini released on March 3, 2009).[36] Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard contains drivers for the GMA X3100, which were used in a recent revision of the MacBook range.[37]

Late-release versions of Mac OS X 10.4 also supported the GMA 900 due to its use in Apple's Developer Transition Kit (2005), which was used in the PowerPC-to-Intel transition. However, special modifications to the kext file must be made to enable Core Image and Quartz Extreme.

Although the new MacBook line no longer uses the X3100, Mac OS X 10.5 shipped with drivers supporting it that require no modifications to the kext file. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), which includes a new 64-bit kernel in addition to the 32-bit one, does not include 64-bit X3100 drivers.[citation needed] This means that although the MacBooks with the X3100 have 64-bit capable processors and EFI, Mac OS X must load the 32-bit kernel to support the 32-bit X3100 drivers.[citation needed] November 9's 10.6.2 update ships with 64-bit X3100 drivers.[citation needed]

Apple removed the 64-bit GMA X3100 drivers later, and thus affected Macs were forced back to the 32-bit kernel despite being 64-bit clean in terms of hardware and firmware. No 64-bit drivers were offered in OS X Lion. Subsequently, OS X Mountain Lion dropped 32-bit kernel booting. The combination of these two changes in graphics driver code resulted in many Mac revisions being unable to upgrade to Mountain Lion, as their GPUs cannot be replaced.

For a while MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks instead shipped with a far more powerful[38] NVIDIA GeForce 9400M,[39] and the 15" and 17" MacBook Pro notebooks shipped with an additional GeForce 9600GT supporting hybrid power to switch between GPUs. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M chipset implemented in Apple MacBooks did not support composite or S-video output.[40]

FreeBSD

[edit]

FreeBSD 8.0 supports the following Intel graphic chipsets: i810, i810-DC100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 852GM, 855GM, 865G, 915G, 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 965G, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM,945GME, G33, Q33, Q35, G35, GM45, G45, Q45, G43 and G41 chipsets. In practice, chipsets through 4500MHD are supported with DRM and 3D using FreeBSD 9. Work to integrate GEM and KMS is currently adding support for i-series integrated graphics and improving support for earlier chipsets.

Linux

[edit]
See also: Free and open-source device drivers: graphics § Intel

In August 2006, Intel added support to the open-source X.Org/XFree86 drivers for the latest 965 series that include the GMA (X)3000 core.[41] These drivers were developed for Intel by Tungsten Graphics.

In May 2007, version 2.0 of the driver (xorg-video-intel) was released, which added support for the 965GM chipset. In addition, the 2.0 driver added native video mode programming support for all chipsets from i830 forward. This version added support for automatic video mode detection and selection, monitor hot plug, dynamic extended and merged desktops and per-monitor screen rotation. These features are built into the X.Org 7.3 X server release and will eventually be supported across most of the open source X.Org video drivers.[42] Version 2.1, released in July 2007, added support for the G33, Q33 and Q35 chipsets.[43] G35 is also supported by the Linux driver.[44]

As is common for X.Org drivers on Linux, the license is a combination of GPL (for the Linux kernel parts) and MIT (for all other parts).[45]

The drivers were mainly developed by Intel and Tungsten Graphics (under contract) since the chipsets' documentation were not publicly available for a long time. In January 2008, Intel released the complete developer documentation for their, at the time, latest chipsets (965 and G35 chipset), allowing for further external developers' involvement.[46][47] In April 2009, Intel released documentation for their newer G45 graphics (including X4500) chipsets.[48] In May 2009, Intel employee Emma Anholt stated Intel was "still working on getting docs for [8xx] chipsets out."[49]

H.264 acceleration via VA-API

[edit]
Main article: Video Acceleration API

Linux support for hardware accelerated H.264 playback is available and working for X4500HD and X4500MHD using VAAPI and the g45-h264 branch.[50][51]

PowerVR based chips on Linux

[edit]

GMA 500, GMA 600, GMA 3600, GMA 3650 are PowerVR based chips incompatible with Intel GenX GPU architecture family. There are no Intel supported FOSS drivers. The current available FOSS drivers (included in Linux 3.3 onwards) only support 2D acceleration (not 3D acceleration).[26]

Ubuntu supports GMA500 (Poulsbo) through the ubuntu-mobile and gma500 repositories on Launchpad. Support is present in an experimental way for 11.10 and 12.04, but the installation procedure is not as simple as other drivers and can lead to many bugs. Ubuntu 12.10 has 2D support included.[52]

Joli OS, a Linux-based OS optimized for netbooks, has a driver for the GMA500 built in.

PixieLive, a Linux live distribution optimized for GMA500 netbooks, it can boot from USB Pendrive, SD Card or HardDisk.

Intel releases official Linux drivers through the IEGD (Intel Embedded Graphic Driver) supporting some Linux distributions dedicated to the embedded market.[53]

In November 2009, the Linux Foundation released the details of a new, rewritten Linux driver that would support this chipset and Intel's other upcoming chipsets. The Direct Rendering Manager and X.org parts would be free software, but the 3D component (using Gallium3D) will still be proprietary.[54]

Solaris

[edit]

Oracle Solaris 11 provides 64-bit video driver support for the following Intel graphic chipsets: i810, i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 852GM/855GM, 865G, 915G, E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM, Pineview G, 965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33, GM45, 4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43, Clarkdale, Arrandale, Sandybridge Desktop (GT1), Sandybridge Desktop (GT2), Sandybridge Desktop (GT2+), Sandybridge Mobile (GT1), Sandybridge Mobile (GT2), Sandybridge Mobile (GT2+), Ivybridge Mobile (GT1), Ivybridge Mobile (GT2), Ivybridge Desktop (GT1), Ivybridge Desktop (GT2), Ivybridge Server (GT1), and Ivybridge Server (GT2).

The Solaris open-source community developers provide additional driver support for Intel HD Graphics 4000/2500 graphic-based chipsets (aka Ivy Bridge), OpenGL 3.0/GLSL 1.30, and the new libva/va-api library enabling hardware accelerated video decode for the prevailing coding standards today (MPEG-2, MPEG-4 ASP/H.263, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, and VC-1/WMV3).

Microsoft Windows

[edit]

GMA 900 on Windows

[edit]

The GMA 900 is theoretically capable of running Windows Vista's (and 7's) Aero interface and is certified as DirectX 9 compliant. However, no WHQL certified WDDM driver has been made available. Presumably this is due to the lack of a "hardware scheduler" in the GPU.[55] The Intel GMA 900 is also the first Intel integrated GPU not to have support or drivers for Windows 9x operating systems (including 98 and ME).

Many owners of GMA900 hardware believed they would be able to run Aero on their systems as early release candidates of Vista permitted XDDM drivers to run Aero. Intel, however, contends that Microsoft's final specs for Aero/WDDM certification did not permit releasing a WDDM driver for GMA900 (due to issues with the hardware scheduler, as mentioned above), so when the final version of Vista was released, no WDDM driver was released.[56] The last minute pulling of OpenGL capabilities from the GMA drivers for Windows Vista left a large number of GMA based workstations unable to perform basic 3D hardware acceleration with OpenGL and unable to run many Vista Premium applications such as Windows DVD Maker.

In Windows 8, Aero effects are enabled with VGA compatibility driver via software rendering. There are no native GMA900 drivers available for Windows 8 since XDDM support is removed from this operating system. On GMA900 based laptops with Windows 7, users may experience a serious bug related to the chipset's native backlight control method failing to change brightness, resulting in the brightness becoming stuck on a particular value after driver installation. The bug did not occur when Windows 7 was initially released to the public and is commonly observed after running Windows Update. This bug also occurs in GMA3150 based laptops.

GMA 950 on Windows

[edit]

This IGP is capable of displaying the Aero interface for Windows Vista. Drivers are shipped with Windows Vista since beta versions became available in mid-2006. It can also run Windows 7's Aero interface since Intel released drivers for Windows 7 in mid-June 2009.

The GMA 950 is integrated into many netbooks built on Intel 945GSE Express chipset, and is able to display a resolution up to 2048×1536 at 75 Hz utilizing up to 224 MB of shared memory.[57]

Most of the reviews about this IGP were negative, since many games (such as Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory or Oblivion) need Pixel Shader 2.0 or higher, that is supported in hardware, and Vertex Shader 2.0, that is software-emulated. Other games such as Crysis will start, but with frame rates below acceptable.

GMA X3000/X3100 on Windows

[edit]

T&L and Vertex Shaders 3.0 are supported by Intel's newest 15.6 drivers for Windows Vista as of September 2, 2007. XP support for VS3 and T&L was introduced on August 10, 2007. Intel announced in March 2007 that beta drivers would be available in June 2007.[58][59] On June 1, 2007 "pre-beta" (or Early Beta) drivers were released for Windows XP (but not for Vista).[60] Beta drivers for Vista and XP were released on June 19.[61] Since hardware T&L and vertex shading has been enabled in drivers individual applications can be forced to fall back to software rendering,[62] which raises performance and compatibility in certain cases. Selection is based on testing by Intel and preselected in the driver .inf file.

Intel has released production version drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista that enable the Aero graphics. Intel introduced DirectX 10 for the X3100 and X3500 GPUs in the Vista 15.9 drivers in 2008, though any release of DX10 drivers for the X3000 is uncertain. WDDM 1.1 is supported by X3100 but DXVA-HD is not.

OpenGL 2.0 support is available since Vista 15.11 drivers[63] and XP 14.36 drivers.[64]

Windows 8 ships with a driver for the X3100.[65]

GMA 500 on Windows

[edit]

As of September 2010, the latest available driver revisions from the Intel website for Windows XP, Vista and 7 are:[66][67]

  • IEGD Version 5.1 for Windows NT,2000 and XP (OpenGL only)
  • Version 3.3.0 for Windows XP. (D3D only)
  • Version 4.0.2 for Windows Vista.
  • Version 5.0.0.2030 for Windows 7.

Modern gaming

[edit]

The performance and functionality of GMA processors are limited, attaining the performance of only low-cost discrete GPUs at best and very old DirectX 6 GPUs (Such as the RIVA TNT2) at the worst. Thus, they're sometimes even dubbed "Graphics Media Decelerators" though the actual performance depended on the CPU as well as RAM amount and speed. For example, an Atom N450 CPU and GMA 3150 will perform comparably to a 10 years older RIVA TNT2 PC with a Tualatin Pentium 3, even worse, the GPU was sometimes even underclocked, hindering the already poor performance even further.[68] Some features of games and other 3D applications may be unsupported by GMAs, particularly older ones. The GMA X3x00's unified shader design allows for more complete hardware functionality, but the line still has issues with some games and has significantly limited performance.[69]

Intel has put up a page with 'Known Issues & Solutions' for each version.[70] For Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Software Development concerns, there is the Integrated Graphics Software Development Forum.[71]

Microsoft Windows performance reviews

[edit]

GMA X3000 review

[edit]

A review conducted in April 2007 by The Tech Report determined that the GMA X3000 had performance comparable to the Nvidia GeForce 6150.[72] During that review the GMA X3000 was unable to run the PC games Battlefield 2 and Oblivion.[73] However, the ExtremeTech review found that games which aren't as graphically demanding, such as The Sims 2 and Civilization IV, "look good" when the GMA X3000 is used to run them.[74]

Reviews performed by The Tech Report, by ExtremeTech and by Anandtech all concluded that the AMD's Radeon X1250 integrated graphics solutions based on the AMD 690G chipset was a better choice than the GMA X3000 based on the G965 chipset, especially when considering 3D gaming performance and price.[72][75][76]

GMA X3500 review

[edit]

In a review performed by Register Hardware in December 2007,[12] author Leo Waldock argued that because the GMA X3500 is not capable of running any PC game that requires DirectX 10, the addition of DirectX 10 support to the GMA X3500 was "irrelevant".[77] During that same review, the GMA X3500 was used to run Crysis and F.E.A.R. Extraction Point, where it was able to render only 4 and 14 frames per second respectively for each game.[78] In the end the review concluded that overall the X3500 made "minimal advances" over the GMA X3000.[77]

GMA X4500 review

[edit]

In a review published in May 2008, the GMA X4500 showed a superior game performance to the lowest-end 1-year-older GeForce 8400M graphics card in some CPU-bound tests, while losing to the still low-end GeForce 8400M GS with a slower CPU.[79]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Intel GMA

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) is a family of integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs) developed by Corporation, introduced in 2004 as a successor to the earlier Intel Extreme Graphics technology, and designed primarily for use in Intel chipsets and processors to provide basic 2D/3D rendering, video decoding, and display output capabilities in consumer laptops, desktops, and embedded systems. These iGPUs utilized a unified (UMA) that shared system RAM for graphics operations via Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT), enabling efficient resource allocation without dedicated VRAM, and supported key APIs such as 9.0 through 10.0 across generations, along with hardware acceleration for formats like MPEG-2, , and H.264 to enhance multimedia playback up to resolutions. The GMA series marked Intel's shift toward more capable integrated for mainstream computing, prioritizing power efficiency and compatibility with Windows operating systems over high-end gaming performance. The GMA lineup evolved through several generations, beginning with the GMA 900 in 2004, integrated into the i915 chipset (Grantsdale/Alviso platforms), which featured four pipelines, a core clock of 133–333 MHz, and 9.0 support but relied on the CPU for vertex shading. This was followed by the GMA 950 in 2005 on the i945 chipset (Lakeport/Calistoga), offering a slight performance uplift with clocks up to 400 MHz and enabling features like Windows Vista's Aero interface, while still limited to 9.0c without dedicated vertex shaders. By 2006, the third generation continued with models like the GMA 3100 and GMA 3150, which were rebranded iterations of the GMA 950 for broader compatibility with and early Core processors, while the fourth-generation GMA 3000 introduced eight execution units (EUs) for improved vertex and processing at up to 667 MHz. Subsequent advancements came with the GMA X3000 family (2006–2008), including the X3100 and X3500, which added Pixel Shader 4.0, 10 support, and up to 384 MB of allocatable memory for better handling, targeting mobile platforms like the Santa Rosa . The final major iteration, the GMA 4500 series (2008), encompassed models like the GMA 4500, X4500, X4500HD, and mobile X4500MHD, featuring 10 EUs, clocks up to 800 MHz, full for AVC/H.264 and , and OpenGL 2.0 compatibility, representing a 25% increase in compute power over prior generations while doubling performance. Overall, the GMA series provided adequate performance for office tasks, HD video playback, and light gaming at low resolutions but was outperformed by discrete GPUs from competitors like and ; it was phased out around 2010 in favor of the rebranded Intel HD Graphics in newer Core processor architectures.

Overview

Introduction

The Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) was a series of integrated units (iGPUs) developed by , spanning from 2004 to approximately 2010 as the company's primary solution for onboard . It succeeded the earlier Intel Extreme Graphics technology, marking a shift toward more capable integrated solutions built directly into chipsets and processors. Embedded within Intel's chipsets, the GMA targeted basic needs in devices, supporting essential functions such as 2D and 3D acceleration, video decoding, and media playback for operating systems like with its Aero interface. This made it a staple for laptops, desktops, and emerging netbooks, where space and power constraints precluded discrete options. The GMA was positioned for low-power, budget-oriented platforms, pairing with processors like the , Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, and Atom to deliver cost-effective without dedicated GPUs. By integrating graphics directly onto the CPU die or , it reduced system complexity and power draw, appealing to mobile and entry-level markets. Although the GMA enabled the mass adoption of integrated in everyday devices, its performance was relatively low compared to discrete GPUs, lacking features like advanced vertex shaders and struggling with -intensive tasks. This limitation positioned it as a functional but basic accelerator rather than a competitor to standalone graphics cards.

Architectural Foundations

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series was designed around a fixed-function pipeline architecture for handling 2D and tasks, without a in its initial implementations. This approach relied on dedicated hardware units for specific operations such as vertex , , and rasterization, enabling efficient but less flexible graphics compared to later programmable architectures. Early generations, like GMA 900 and 950, emphasized these fixed-function elements to prioritize integration and cost-effectiveness in consumer platforms, balancing performance with power constraints. A core aspect of the GMA architecture is its use of a (UMA), where the graphics processor shares the system's main memory rather than employing dedicated video RAM (VRAM). Memory allocation is managed dynamically through Intel's Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT), which resizes the graphics memory pool based on application demands, typically allocating up to 256–512 MB depending on the and system configuration. This shared model reduces hardware complexity and costs but introduces potential bandwidth contention with the CPU. GMA processors are tightly integrated into Intel's Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) within the , facilitating direct, low-latency access to system resources without the need for a separate bus interface. This on-chip integration minimizes data transfer overhead, enhancing efficiency for integrated platforms like laptops and entry-level desktops. In mobile variants, the design supports features such as dynamic clock scaling, where the GPU frequency adjusts in real-time to intensity, and low-power states that idle unused components to conserve energy. The foundational API support in GMA focuses on compatibility with mainstream graphics standards of the era, including 9.0 through 10.0 and 1.4 to 2.0, enabling basic 3D acceleration and media playback without advanced shader capabilities in early designs. These levels provided sufficient functionality for office applications, light gaming, and video decoding while aligning with the fixed-function hardware constraints.

History

Origins and Early Development

In the early 2000s, sought to evolve its integrated graphics offerings beyond the Intel Extreme Graphics architecture, which had debuted in 2001 with the i845 chipset and emphasized basic 3D acceleration for desktop systems. By 2002-2003, rising demand for mobile computing, exemplified by the launch of Intel Centrino mobile technology in March 2003, underscored the need for more power-efficient, fully integrated graphics solutions that could support emerging multimedia applications without relying on discrete GPUs. This shift was motivated by the growing popularity of laptops and portable devices, where battery life and thermal constraints limited the viability of separate graphics hardware, prompting to prioritize unified memory architectures that shared system RAM for cost-effective performance. Development of the Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) began around 2002-2003 as part of Intel's next-generation chipset platforms, codenamed Grantsdale for desktops and Alviso for mobiles, aiming to deliver enhanced media processing capabilities amid intensifying competition from ATI and NVIDIA's integrated graphics offerings. Intel's integrated solutions already dominated the market by Q3 2003, outselling discrete competitors through volume in budget and mobile segments, but the company recognized the need to accelerate video decoding and 2D/3D rendering to handle high-definition content and interactive TV (iTV) applications. Key engineering efforts focused on offloading complex tasks like geometry processing to the host CPU, enabling a more streamlined design that supported DirectX 9.0 and pixel shader 2.0 while maintaining low power consumption. By early 2004, rebranded its third-generation integrated graphics from the anticipated "Extreme Graphics 3" to GMA 900, reflecting a strategic pivot toward over gaming-centric marketing to appeal to a broader base. Initial silicon for GMA was integrated into the 915 Express family, including the i915G for desktops and i915PM/GM for mobiles, with collaborations centered on these chipsets to ensure seamless compatibility with 90nm and processors. The first public unveiling occurred on June 21, 2004, positioning GMA as a foundational element for digital home entertainment, such as dual-display support and HD video playback.

Release Timeline

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series began with the debut of the GMA 900 in 2004, integrated into Pentium M-based mobile systems via the Intel 915 Express Chipset family, marking Intel's shift toward enhanced integrated graphics for consumer platforms. This initial release focused on improving visual performance in laptops and desktops, replacing prior Extreme Graphics solutions. In 2005 and 2006, the GMA 950 was integrated with the Yonah Core Duo processors in the Napa platform, providing mobile enhancements such as better video decoding support, while the GMA 3000 extended similar capabilities to desktop configurations on the G965 Express chipset. These integrations paired the graphics cores with second-generation Core architecture, emphasizing power efficiency for portable computing. From 2007 to 2008, the GMA X3100 launched alongside the Santa Rosa platform for Core 2 Duo mobile systems, introducing 9.0c and improved in the GM965 . Subsequently, the GMA 4500 series debuted in the Cantiga (also known as Montevina) platform, supporting Core 2 processors with advancements in shader performance via the PM45 , further optimizing for and notebooks. During 2009 and 2010, Intel introduced PowerVR-based solutions, with the GMA 500 for the Poulsbo Atom platform in 2008 and the GMA 600 for the Moorestown Atom platform in 2010, targeting low-power mobile Internet devices with licensed IP for efficient media processing in embedded systems. Concurrently, the GMA 3150 appeared in netbook-oriented Pine Trail Atom configurations in 2010, delivering basic graphics for entry-level portable devices. By 2011, the final major GMA releases included the GMA 3650 for Cedar Trail Atom systems, concluding the series' evolution with integrated graphics tailored for compact, energy-efficient computing across Core 2, Atom, and early i-series chipsets. These cross-generation pairings underscored GMA's role in bridging CPU advancements with affordable visual acceleration.

Discontinuation and Legacy Status

The Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series began its phase-out with the introduction of Intel HD Graphics alongside the microarchitecture in January 2011, which replaced the aging GMA designs in mainstream processors. The final GMA implementations were in low-power processors, including the Pineview platform in 2010 with GMA 3150 integrated graphics found in netbook models like the Atom N4xx and N5xx series, as well as nettop variants such as the Atom D4xx and D5xx, and extending to the Cedar Trail platform in 2011 with GMA 3650. This transition marked the end of new GMA hardware development, as shifted resources to architectures capable of addressing the growing demands for hardware-accelerated decoding and entry-level 3D gaming, where the GMA's fixed-function rendering pipeline—limited primarily to 9.0c support with partial 10 features—fell short in efficiency and performance. Intel officially discontinued support for all remaining GMA products by 2016, with the full end-of-life declaration applying to variants like the GMA 3150, GMA 600, GMA 500, and Atom Z2700 series integrations, effective May 27, 2016, when self-service support began and active development ceased. No new GMA-based processors or chipsets have been released since 2011, reflecting Intel's strategic pivot to the Gen6 and later graphics generations that form the foundation of the HD and Iris Graphics families. These successors introduced programmable unified shaders, full 11 compatibility, and enhanced media processing units, enabling significantly better handling of modern workloads such as 1080p video playback and light gaming without relying on the resource-constrained design of prior GMA models. In 2025, the GMA architecture holds legacy status exclusively, with providing only archived driver downloads and no provisions for updates, feature enhancements, or mitigations following the 2016 end-of-life milestone. Although formal support ended nearly a decade earlier, GMA persists in niche deployments within older embedded systems, industrial controls, and legacy netbooks where minimal power draw and basic 2D suffice, often paired with lightweight operating systems like extended or distributions. This limited ongoing relevance underscores the technology's obsolescence in contemporary computing environments, where successors like HD and Iris dominate integrated solutions.

Third Generation Processors

GMA 900

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 (GMA 900), introduced in June 2004, marked the debut of Intel's integrated graphics processing unit series, succeeding earlier Extreme Graphics solutions and emphasizing power efficiency for mobile computing. Integrated directly into the Intel 915 Express Chipset family—such as the 915GM, 915PM, 915GMS, and 915GME variants—it paired with Pentium M processors to form the foundation of early Intel Centrino mobile technology platforms, targeting battery-conscious laptops and ultraportables. This design choice prioritized seamless system integration over discrete GPU performance, enabling thinner, lighter devices without dedicated graphics hardware. At its core, the GMA 900 featured a graphics core with 4 pixel shader units capable of Pixel Shader 2.0 operations, with vertex shading handled by software emulation on the CPU, operating at clock speeds ranging from 133 MHz for 2D tasks up to 333 MHz for , depending on the chipset variant and voltage (1.05V or 1.5V). It supported 9.0 and 1.4, including features like perspective-correct , multitexturing, , and alpha blending, though vertex shading relied on software emulation via the CPU. A key innovation was its hardware-accelerated video decoding with , which offloaded playback tasks from the processor to improve efficiency in an era of rising video content consumption. Additionally, it provided TV-out capabilities supporting /PAL formats up to 1024x768 resolution via analog signals or SDVO ports, facilitating external display connectivity—though this was disabled on lower-end models like the 915GME. The GMA 900 employed a model under Intel's Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0 (DVMT 3.0), dynamically allocating up to 64 MB from system DDR or DDR2 RAM (333–533 MT/s) for use, with pre-allocated options of 1 MB or 8 MB and a default 256 MB aperture—configurable via settings but capped by total system (up to 2 GB supported). This approach conserved space and power but introduced bandwidth contention, limiting overall throughput. Display support extended to dual-channel LVDS for TFT panels up to UXGA (1600x1200) resolution at 32-bit color, with VGA compatibility for legacy monitors. However, its 3D performance was notably constrained, rendering it unsuitable for contemporary gaming or -intensive applications due to the architecture and modest throughput, often struggling with resolutions beyond 1024x768 in accelerated modes.

GMA 950

The Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (GMA 950) represented a refinement in 's third-generation integrated lineup, launched in and integrated into the Intel 945 Express Chipset family to support the debut of Core Duo processors under the Yonah codename. This pairing enabled enhanced visual capabilities in early dual-core mobile systems, marking a step forward in integrated for power-efficient computing. At its core, the GMA 950 featured a 90 nm graphics processor with 4 pixel shader units, capable of rendering up to 4 pixels per clock cycle at speeds reaching 400 MHz in select configurations, while providing hardware acceleration for Microsoft DirectX 9.0, including Pixel Shader 2.0 support and software-emulated Vertex Shader 3.0. Key enhancements included advanced video overlay processing with high-definition hardware and 5x3 filtering for smoother playback of streams in both standard and high-definition formats, alongside support for dual independent displays with resolutions up to 2048x1536 at 75 Hz, accommodating wide-screen and HDTV outputs. Designed primarily for Intel Centrino Duo mobile platforms, the GMA 950 was embedded in the Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset, delivering improved and media acceleration tailored to notebook PCs powered by Yonah-based Core Duo CPUs, such as the T2700 model. Despite these advances, the remained constrained by shared allocation, limited to a maximum of 256 MB dynamically borrowed from main RAM via Dynamic Video Memory Technology, which could impact performance under heavy graphical loads. Additionally, in mobile implementations, thermal limitations inherent to integrated designs and the platform's power envelope often necessitated clock throttling to maintain stability in compact .

GMA 3100

The (GMA 3100) represents a desktop-focused iteration of third-generation integrated , released in May 2007 and integrated into the G31, G33, and Q33 chipsets to support Core 2 Duo processors in entry-level systems. This design emphasized cost-effective performance for mainstream , sharing core architecture with the prior GMA 950 while targeting budget-oriented platforms without requiring additional hardware. At its core, the GMA 3100 operates at a 400 MHz clock speed on a , delivering up to 1.6 Gpixel/s fill rate through its fixed-function pipeline with 4 pixel s but no hardware vertex s. It supports 9.0c including Model 2.0 and 1.4, enabling basic suitable for tasks and light . is shared from system DDR2 RAM, up to 384 MB dynamically allocated, prioritizing efficiency over high-bandwidth demands. Key enhancements focus on 2D acceleration, providing responsive rendering for office applications, web browsing, and the Aero graphical interface. Video capabilities include hardware-accelerated decoding for standard-definition playback, with basic H.264 support available through software-assisted methods. These features position the GMA 3100 for desktops and all-in-one PCs, where low power consumption (around 13 W TDP) and simple integration reduce overall system costs. A notable limitation is the absence of advancements in hardware transform and , relying on legacy fixed-function units that constrain 3D performance and prevent support for more demanding shaders or effects. This keeps the GMA 3100 firmly within third-generation constraints, suitable for non-gaming, but outpaced by emerging discrete options even at launch.

GMA 3150

The Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 (GMA 3150) is an integrated tailored for ultra-portable netbooks, released in early 2010 as part of Intel's Pine Trail platform. It was specifically designed for the N4xx series processors, such as the N450 and N470, enabling compact, battery-efficient devices aimed at basic computing tasks like web browsing and light media consumption. Unlike higher-performance third-generation GMAs, the 3150 prioritizes extreme power savings over graphical capability, integrating directly into the processor die to minimize latency and footprint in sub-10-inch mini-laptops. At its core, the GMA 3150 employs a Generation 4 architecture derived from the i965 family, featuring two pixel units operating at a base clock of 200 MHz, with shared system memory allocation up to 256 MB. It supports 9.0c with Model 3.0 for basic and 1.5, but lacks hardware acceleration for 10 or higher, relying on software emulation for limited advanced effects. The design includes an integrated display engine for efficient 2D acceleration and video processing, supporting formats like decode and Intel Clear Video technology for standard-definition content. Key enhancements in the GMA 3150 focus on power efficiency, contributing to the overall 5.5 W TDP of paired Atom N4xx processors through features like dynamic clock scaling and deeper sleep states, effectively limiting graphics power draw to approximately 2-3 W under load. This low-power profile, combined with an on-die , improves responsiveness in power-constrained environments without requiring discrete cooling. It targeted platforms such as the 1015 series and Mini 10, where extended battery life—often exceeding 6 hours for light use—was a primary selling point. Despite its optimizations, the GMA 3150 exhibits notable limitations suited to its entry-level role, capping hardware-accelerated video playback at resolution for smooth H.264 decoding while struggling with full without external assistance. 3D performance is minimal, handling only legacy titles like older strategy games at low resolutions and frame rates below 30 FPS, making it unsuitable for modern gaming or graphics-intensive applications at the time. Display output is restricted to analog VGA or LVDS interfaces, with maximum resolutions of 1400x1050, further emphasizing its focus on basic portability over multimedia versatility. These third-generation processors, per Intel's , provided foundational integrated capabilities, though official support as of 2025 is limited to legacy operating systems such as Windows 7.

Fourth Generation Processors

GMA 3000

The Intel GMA 3000 is the entry-level model in Intel's fourth-generation Graphics Media Accelerator series, introduced in June 2006 as part of the Broadwater platform to support the launch of Core 2 Duo Conroe processors in desktop systems. It is integrated into the Intel G965, Q965, and Q963 Express chipsets (collectively known as the i965 family), targeting basic needs in budget-oriented PCs. The GMA 3000 graphics core, built on a , employs a Broadwater-G variant with 4 pixel shaders functioning as execution units and a core clock speed of 667 MHz. It supports 9.0c, Shader Model 2.0, and 2.0, while sharing system memory up to 256 MB for graphics operations and drawing 13 W of power. Relative to the third-generation GMA 950, the GMA 3000 delivers an improved fillrate through its elevated clock speed and refined , resulting in enhanced efficiency for 2D rendering and light 3D workloads. This positions it as a modest within the Gen4 architecture's design, though it remains optimized for non-gaming applications. Key features include hardware motion compensation for video decoding and support for dual independent displays on select chipsets like the Q965, making it suitable for entry-level desktop environments focused on , web , and standard-definition media playback.

GMA X3000 and GMA X3100

The Intel GMA X3000 was released in July 2006 as part of Intel's fourth-generation integrated lineup, integrated into desktop chipsets such as the G965 and P965 Express. It featured a unified architecture with 8 scalar execution units, operating at up to 667 MHz, and provided partial support for advanced rendering through Model 3.0 capabilities, including hardware transform and lighting for . This enabled enhanced 3D performance for consumer applications like gaming and video playback, while supporting 9.0c with extensions for (HDR) imaging and 32-bit floating-point precision. In contrast, the GMA X3100, launched in May 2007, served as the mobile counterpart, embedded in the GM965 and 960GM Express s for laptops. It utilized a similar unified design with 8 programmable pipelines, clocked at 400–500 MHz depending on the variant, and supported 9.0c with Model 3.0, with vertex shading handled in software by the CPU. Both models supported up to 384 MB of shared dynamic video memory and improved configurations, allowing dual independent displays through interfaces like SDVO and LVDS for extended desktop setups. Targeted at processor platforms, the X3000 paired with desktop Conroe CPUs for mainstream systems emphasizing cost-effective multimedia, while the X3100 integrated with mobile Merom (and later Penryn) processors in Duo laptops like the Santa Rosa platform, prioritizing balanced performance for portable computing. These mid-tier implementations shared key advancements over third-generation models like the GMA 3100, including a shift to a node for better power efficiency—rated at around 13 W TDP—and reduced thermal demands, enabling in many designs without sacrificing core functionality. This efficiency gain stemmed from optimized execution and integrated video decode engines, such as Clear Video Technology, which offloaded HD content processing from the CPU.

GMA X3500

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3500 served as the high-end offering in Intel's fourth-generation integrated graphics lineup, introduced in 2007 and integrated into the GM45 chipset for the Montevina platform, which underpinned the 2 mobile technology. This release marked a step forward in mobile graphics performance, targeting premium laptops with Duo processors and emphasizing enhanced rendering for multimedia and light gaming applications. At its core, the GMA X3500 featured 8 programmable execution units, enabling parallel processing for vertex, geometry, and pixel shaders, with a dynamic clock speed adjustable from 200 MHz up to 800 MHz depending on thermal and power conditions. It provided full hardware support for DirectX 10, including Shader Model 4.0 capabilities, allowing for more complex visual effects compared to prior generations. Key enhancements included advanced texture sampling options, such as support for up to 16 anisotropic samples, 8K x 8K maximum 2D textures, and compressed formats like BCx for DirectX 10, which improved rendering efficiency and image quality in supported applications. Additionally, it incorporated hardware acceleration for 1080p video decoding via support for H.264 (AVC) and other codecs through DXVA, facilitating smooth playback of high-definition content on battery-powered systems. Designed specifically for premium Core 2 Duo-based laptops within the Montevina ecosystem, the GMA X3500 optimized power efficiency for mobile use, sharing system memory up to 384 MB while prioritizing balanced performance in and 3D acceleration. Despite these advances, the architecture retained limitations in its Shader Model 4.0 implementation, notably the absence of fully unified shaders, which restricted compatibility with certain DirectX 10 titles requiring more advanced programmable pipelines.

GMA 4500 Series

The GMA 4500 series, introduced in 2008 as part of the Intel 4 Series Express Chipsets, represented a desktop-oriented refresh of the fourth-generation integrated graphics architecture, featuring an integrated for improved system efficiency. It debuted in the Q45 chipset, designed specifically for Core 2 Duo-based desktop systems, enabling enhanced graphics capabilities in business-oriented platforms without discrete GPUs. This series marked Intel's continued push toward mainstream 10 support in integrated solutions, building on prior generations while prioritizing stability and compatibility for professional environments. At its core, the GMA 4500 series utilized a unified architecture with 8 execution units, operating at clock speeds ranging from 200 MHz to 800 MHz depending on system configuration and thermal constraints. It supported 10 and Shader Model 4.0, allowing for more advanced programmable shading effects compared to earlier GMA iterations. Memory handling was unified, leveraging system RAM through Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) with up to 512 MB allocatable, and it included native support for DDR3 memory types at speeds of 800, 1066, or 1333 MHz, which facilitated better bandwidth for graphics tasks. Key enhancements in the GMA 4500 series focused on elevating 3D performance, with a 25% increase in overall compute capability over predecessors, including improved rasterization pipelines, shaders, and stream-out functionality for more efficient rendering of complex scenes. These upgrades were particularly beneficial for applications requiring smooth 2D/3D acceleration, such as CAD viewers or playback, without compromising power efficiency in desktop setups. The series targeted business desktops and workstations, where reliability and integrated features outweighed high-end gaming needs, often appearing in enterprise systems like Dell OptiPlex models paired with the Q45 chipset. A primary variant, the GMA X4500, served as the direct successor to the GMA X3000, offering incremental performance gains in rasterization and memory access while maintaining compatibility with Intel's Core 2 architecture.

Mobile Variants

The mobile variants of the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) in the fourth-generation lineup, such as the GMA 4500MHD, X4500MHD, and X4700MHD, were introduced between 2008 and 2009 as part of Intel's 2 (Montevina) platform. These integrated graphics solutions were integrated into the PM45, GM45, and GM47 chipsets, designed primarily for mobile Duo and Core 2 Quad processors, with compatibility extending to early mobile Core i7 models like the Clarksfield series launched in 2009. The platform emphasized enhanced portability and battery life for notebook computers, marking a shift toward more efficient mobile graphics before the transition to Arrandale-based processors in 2010. These variants featured 10 execution units based on the Generation 4.5 architecture, with 80 unified shading units supporting 10 and partial 10.1 compatibility for improved performance. Clock speeds varied by model, reaching up to 640 MHz in the X4700MHD (used in GM47 chipsets) and 533 MHz in the X4500MHD, enabling better handling of and video playback compared to prior generations. Power consumption was optimized for mobility, with a graphics TDP of 7-13 W and core voltages as low as 1.00 V in low-power modes, contributing to overall platform TDPs around 35 W for ultrathin designs. A key feature was hybrid graphics support through interfaces, allowing seamless switching to discrete GPUs for demanding tasks while prioritizing the integrated GMA for lighter workloads to extend battery life. Targeted at portable computing, these GMA variants powered a range of pre-Arrandale laptops, including thin-and-light models like the X200 series and mid-range gaming-oriented notebooks such as the Novatech X20mv, which benefited from the 2's integrated and improved graphics for everyday productivity and light multimedia. However, in slim designs with limited , users reported overheating issues during prolonged graphics-intensive use, often mitigated by throttling mechanisms but occasionally leading to performance degradation in compact form factors.

PowerVR-based Processors

GMA 500

The Intel GMA 500, introduced in March 2008, represented Intel's initial foray into licensing external graphics IP, integrating the from into the Poulsbo (SCH) chipset for the Menlow platform. This ultra-low-power design targeted the Z5xx series processors, aiming to enable compact, battery-efficient in emerging mobile segments. Unlike prior GMA generations with Intel-developed fixed-function pipelines, the GMA 500 adopted a unified shader architecture to support more flexible rendering while maintaining low power consumption. At its core, the GMA 500 operates at 200 MHz with four unified shaders, delivering support for 10.1 (Shader Model 4.1), 2.0, and 2.0, suitable for basic 2D/3D acceleration in embedded applications. The PowerVR SGX535 employs tile-based deferred rendering, dividing the screen into small tiles for processing to reduce and enhance efficiency in power-constrained environments. It also features dedicated hardware for decoding H.264 (AVC) high-definition video, alongside support for and formats, allowing efficient playback of multimedia content without overburdening the CPU. Primarily deployed in mobile internet devices (MIDs) such as early ultraportables and netbooks like the Asus Eee PC series, the GMA 500 prioritized video playback and web browsing over intensive graphics workloads. Despite its theoretical capabilities, real-world 3D performance under Windows was underwhelming, with benchmarks showing frame rates as low as 16 fps in demanding titles like F.E.A.R. on low settings, largely attributed to immature driver optimizations that limited feature utilization.

GMA 600

The Intel GMA 600, released in 2010, represented a refined iteration of Intel's PowerVR-based integrated graphics for low-power devices, announced on May 1 of that year as part of the Lincroft platform. It was integrated into the Intel Atom Z600 series processors, such as the Z670 and Z690 models, targeting ultra-mobile computing with a focus on efficiency over performance. At its core, the GMA 600 utilized the PowerVR SGX535 graphics core, clocked at 400 MHz, which doubled the speed of its predecessor, the GMA 500. This architecture supported OpenGL 2.0, along with DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0, enabling basic 3D rendering and vector graphics acceleration through features like OpenVG 1.0. Enhancements included advanced power management with improved gating techniques to reduce idle consumption in battery-constrained environments, as well as support for efficient texture compression formats to optimize memory usage without sacrificing visual quality. Designed primarily for affordable netbooks and mobile internet devices (MIDs), the GMA 600 powered entry-level systems emphasizing portability and extended battery life over graphical demands. However, its capabilities were constrained, limiting playable gaming resolutions to around 800x600 with low detail settings, making it unsuitable for modern or resource-intensive titles. It also provided for video decoding, supporting formats like H.264 for HD playback, though full details on this are addressed in the video acceleration section.

GMA 3600 and GMA 3650

The Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 3600 and GMA 3650 represent the culminating models in Intel's PowerVR-licensed integrated graphics lineup, integrated directly into the Cedar Trail platform's dual-core Atom processors, specifically the D2500 and D2550, which launched in 2011. These graphics solutions were tailored for ultra-low-power , emphasizing in compact systems rather than high-performance rendering, and marked Intel's shift away from custom s toward licensed IP for certain low-end segments. Built on a , both variants leverage the PowerVR SGX545 core, featuring a unified that combines vertex and processing for improved flexibility in 3D workloads compared to prior fixed-function designs. At their core, the GMA 3600 operates at a base frequency of 400 MHz when paired with the Atom D2500, while the GMA 3650 runs at 640 MHz alongside the Atom D2550, enabling modest enhancements in rendering throughput for the latter. Both support shared system memory up to 2 GB (DDR3-1066), with four pixel pipelines and unified shaders capable of handling basic 3D acceleration. API compatibility includes OpenGL ES 2.0 for embedded and mobile graphics standards, alongside partial DirectX 10.1 support—encompassing geometry shaders and data assembly but lacking full tessellation or advanced compute features—though initial drivers emphasized DirectX 9.1 compliance for broader legacy compatibility. Video processing stands out as a key strength, with hardware acceleration for 1080p H.264 and MPEG-4 decoding via an integrated decoder block, supporting dual-display outputs up to 1920x1200 resolution and HDMI connectivity for media-centric applications. Primarily targeted at all-in-one nettops, , and embedded industrial devices, these GMAs prioritized power efficiency—drawing a maximum of 13 W TDP within the 10 W SoC envelope—over gaming or intensive tasks, making them suitable for web browsing, video playback, and light productivity in fanless, space-constrained form factors. As Intel's final GMA releases, production and support for the 3600 and 3650 series were discontinued on May 27, 2016, with legacy options limited to 32-bit and select distributions thereafter.

Technical Specifications

Core Architectures and Pipelines

The third-generation Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) cores, integrated in the i915 and i945 chipsets as the GMA 950, utilized a fixed-function with 4 pixel pipelines capable of processing 4 pixels per clock cycle. These designs lacked dedicated unified shaders, relying instead on the host CPU for vertex processing and transformations, which constrained 3D rendering efficiency but enabled support for 9 pixel shader model 2.0. The fourth-generation architecture, debuting in the i965 chipset family, introduced a unified shader model. The GMA X3000 (desktop, G965) comprises 8 scalar execution units for programmable vertex, geometry, and pixel processing, supporting Shader Model 3.0 and 9.0. Subsequent mobile (X3100, GM965/GL960) and desktop (X3500, G35) variants offered full Shader Model 4.0 compatibility with 10 support. Dedicated geometry engines were incorporated to handle transformations independently of the CPU, reducing latency and improving scalability; the GMA 4500 series expanded to 10 execution units for higher throughput while supporting 10. PowerVR-based GMA processors, including the GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650, adopted ' SGX cores featuring tile-based deferred rendering, which divides the into small tiles (e.g., 16x16 pixels) and performs hidden surface removal before to minimize overdraw and bandwidth usage. These cores included 4 to 8 arithmetic logic units (ALUs) for execution, emphasizing low-power operation suitable for embedded and mobile systems. GMA generations progressed through process shrinks from 90 nm in the i915/i945 to 90 nm in mobile variants like the GMA X3100 and 65 nm in the GMA 4500 series, enabling denser integration and efficiency gains. Core clocks employed , typically starting from a base of 166–200 MHz and multiplying up to 400–667 MHz under light loads, constrained by (TDP) via formulas such as effective_clock = base_clock × multiplier where the multiplier is adjusted to maintain TDP limits (e.g., 6–10 W for integrated variants). Early GMA implementations in chipsets such as i945 connected to the CPU and system memory via the (FSB), a shared multi-drop interface operating at 266–800 MHz. Later consumer platforms transitioned to (DMI) for higher bandwidth, while most GMA designs remained FSB- or DMI-based due to their single-chipset integration.

Model Comparison

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series evolved across multiple generations, with key specifications varying by model to balance power efficiency and in integrated solutions. The following table summarizes representative models, highlighting differences in , capabilities, and support features based on verified hardware databases.
ModelGenerationCore Clock (MHz)Shaders/PipelinesMemory SupportDirectX/OpenGL VersionTDP (W)Release Year
GMA 900Gen 3133–3334 pipelinesShared9.0c / 1.4~12004
GMA 950Gen 3166–4004 pipelinesShared9.0c / 2.0~12005
GMA X3000Gen 4400–6678 EUsShared9.0c / 2.0~62006
GMA X3100Gen 4133–5008 EUsShared10.0 / 2.0~62007
GMA X3500Gen 4200–6678 unifiedShared10.0 / 2.1~62007
GMA 4500Gen 4.5200–80010 unifiedShared10.0 / 2.1~62008
GMA 500PowerVR100–2004 unified (SGX535)Shared10.1 / ES 2.0~12008
GMA 600PowerVR200–4004 unified (SGX535)Shared10.1 / 2.0~22010
GMA 3650PowerVR533–6404 unified (SGX545)Shared9.0c / ES 2.0~22010
Across the GMA lineup, core clocks generally increased from early Gen 3 models at around 300 MHz to peaks near 800 MHz in later Gen 4.5 variants, reflecting improvements in process technology from 90 nm to 65 nm. However, and counts remained relatively stagnant at 4–10 units, lagging behind discrete competitors like NVIDIA's series, which scaled to hundreds of shaders by the late 2000s and prioritized parallel processing for emerging workloads.

Key Features

Protected Audio Video Path

The Protected Audio Video Path (PAVP) is Intel's digital rights management (DRM) technology designed to provide a secure pathway for high-definition audio and video content playback within the system, preventing unauthorized copying or interception. Introduced with the fourth-generation Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) architecture, specifically in the Intel 4 Series chipsets featuring GMA 4500, PAVP ensures compliance with content protection standards required for premium media formats. PAVP implements hardware-based that secures from decoding through to display output, meeting industry content requirements for high-definition media. The technology operates in modes such as PAVP Lite, which meets basic industry requirements for hardware-accelerated decoding while minimizing resource overhead. It supports protected playback of premium codecs including H.264 (AVC) and , enabling secure decoding of encrypted streams common in high-definition media. PAVP is essential for applications requiring robust DRM, such as native Blu-ray Disc playback, where it offloads decoding to the GMA hardware to reduce CPU load while maintaining content integrity. Integrated in GMA 4500 and later variants, it was a core feature for certified HD playback on compatible systems. PAVP functionality is limited to Windows operating systems, with no native support on other platforms, and relies on specific configurations, drivers, and licensed media players for activation. Support for PAVP ended alongside the broader discontinuation of the GMA product line on May 27, 2016, as transitioned to the Intel HD Graphics branding with newer integrated solutions.

Video Decode and Acceleration

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series incorporated hardware video decode capabilities starting with its third generation (Gen3), primarily supporting decoding with hardware for standard and high-definition content up to resolution. This enabled efficient playback of DVD-quality video and basic HD streams, such as , by offloading inverse (iDCT) and tasks from the CPU, though support for more advanced formats like full MPEG-4 ASP (including ) was limited to software assistance rather than full . For higher bit-rate content, Gen3 implementations like the GMA 950, clocked at around 400 MHz, provided for processing. Advancing to the fourth generation (Gen4) and Gen4.5 variants, such as the GMA X3000 and X4500HD, introduced comprehensive for H.264 (up to Level 4.1) and codecs, supporting full playback at 30 frames per second. These enhancements allowed seamless decoding of high-definition Blu-ray and content, with dedicated pipelines handling entropy decoding, , and deblocking filters to minimize CPU utilization during multi-stream playback. Resolutions up to were achieved via interfaces like and , marking a significant improvement over Gen3 for mainstream HD adoption. In the PowerVR-based GMA variants, including the GMA 500 and GMA 600 (powered by Imagination Technologies' SGX535 and SGX545 cores), video decode leveraged a unified media engine supporting H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and MPEG-2, with capabilities extending to 720p and 1080p resolutions. These implementations provided hardware-accelerated decoding for VC-1 and WMV9 as well, optimized for low-power mobile devices like netbooks, enabling efficient 1080p@30fps playback in battery-constrained environments. Across GMA generations, Intel Clear Video Technology augmented decode performance with post-processing features, including hardware-accelerated (e.g., pixel-adaptive weave/bob) and , to enhance image sharpness and color accuracy without additional CPU overhead. This suite improved perceived video quality for both SD and HD content, applying filters like ProcAmp adjustments for , contrast, and saturation directly in the .

Software and Driver Support

Microsoft Windows

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) support on Microsoft Windows began with the initial 6.x series drivers released in 2004 for , providing basic functionality for early generations like GMA 900 and 950. Driver development progressed through versions supporting subsequent Windows releases, culminating in the 15.28 series for in 2015, after which Intel transitioned to legacy mode with no new feature releases post-2016. In legacy mode, systems rely on the last available drivers, with any subsequent updates limited to security patches delivered via Microsoft Update. Compatibility varies by generation: GMA 900 and 950 are restricted to 9 support up to , lacking hardware acceleration for later features. Generation 4 architectures, such as GMA 4500, achieve full 10 compatibility on with official drivers. However, PowerVR-based models like GMA 3600 and 3650 exhibit significant bugs and instability on and later, often requiring fallback to the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter. There is no official support for on any GMA hardware, resulting in forced software rendering for modern applications and potential incompatibility with . As of 2025, provides no new drivers or features for GMA on Windows, confining updates to critical security fixes through channels if applicable. Installation of GMA drivers often requires model-specific INF files to ensure proper hardware detection, as generic installers may fail to recognize device IDs without manual selection during setup.

Linux

Support for Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) hardware on Linux primarily relies on open-source drivers integrated into the mainline kernel and Mesa graphics stack. For Generation 3 and 4 GMA variants, such as the GMA 950 and X3000 series, the i915 kernel module provides core functionality including Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) for display management and basic 2D acceleration, while the i965 driver in Mesa handles rendering and OpenGL support. PowerVR-based GMA models, including the GMA 600, 3600, and 3650 found in certain Atom processors, historically used the proprietary PVRSRV driver, which was an out-of-tree module released by Intel around 2012 but has been deprecated and unmaintained since approximately 2016, leaving no viable open-source alternative for full acceleration. Video acceleration on Linux for GMA hardware leverages the VA-API through the libva library. Generation 4 GMA chipsets, like the GMA X4500, achieve full hardware decoding for H.264 via the libva-intel-driver, enabling efficient playback in applications such as VLC and mpv when paired with the i915 module. In contrast, PowerVR-based GMA implementations offer only partial acceleration, dependent on closed-source userspace blobs from the legacy PVRSRV stack, which limits integration with modern media frameworks. As of 2025, mainline Linux kernel versions in the 6.x series continue to provide basic support for Generation 3 and 4 GMA via the i915 module, ensuring out-of-the-box 2D operations and display functionality on distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora without additional configuration. Gaming capabilities remain limited, with Mesa 22 and later versions offering basic OpenGL rendering through the i965 driver, though performance is constrained by the aging architecture and unsuitable for demanding titles. No new acceleration features have been added for PowerVR GMA since kernel 4.19, reflecting the absence of ongoing development. Key challenges in utilizing GMA on include the requirement for proprietary blobs to enable full video decoding capabilities in the i915 driver, which must be manually installed from the linux- repository to avoid errors during hardware initialization. For PowerVR variants, the end of upstream development efforts around —marked by ' shift to open-sourcing newer architectures without retrofitting legacy Intel implementations—has solidified their obsolescence in modern kernels.

Other Operating Systems

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) hardware received native support in Mac OS X on Apple MacBooks from 2006 to 2008, which featured the GMA 950 and GMA X3100 integrated graphics processors integrated via EFI firmware. This support enabled basic 2D acceleration and limited 3D rendering in versions up to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, though the 64-bit kernel in Snow Leopard lacked dedicated drivers for the GMA X3100, restricting full functionality to 32-bit mode. Support was discontinued after Snow Leopard with the release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion in 2010, as subsequent versions required more advanced graphics capabilities incompatible with these older GMAs. In , ports of the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) drivers provide foundational support for GMA hardware, enabling Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) for basic 2D and 3D acceleration through the i915kms kernel module and Mesa libraries. Video acceleration via VA-API became available starting around 2015 with the integration of the libva-intel-driver port, which bridges GMA GPUs for hardware-accelerated video decoding and reduces CPU overhead in applications like media players. This setup relies on the drm-legacy-kmod for older generations, ensuring compatibility without native Xorg configuration in modern releases. Oracle Solaris incorporates patches to the i915 kernel driver for GMA support, primarily limited to Generation 3 (GMA 950 on i915 chipsets) and Generation 4 (GMA X3100 on i965 and GMA 4500 on G45) integrated graphics controllers, providing (DRI) for . These patches enable basic display output and 2D operations but do not extend to later PowerVR-based GMA variants like the 3600 series, leaving advanced 3D or video features unsupported. Across these operating systems, GMA hardware persists in legacy embedded systems for industrial and point-of-sale applications, where stability outweighs performance needs, but receives no modern driver updates as of 2025 due to Intel's focus on newer architectures. For experimental enhancements on GMA across platforms, the Gallium3D framework in Mesa offers alternative drivers like for Generation 4 and older, enabling software-emulated or partial hardware-accelerated rendering where classic drivers fall short.

Performance Analysis

Benchmark Results

Benchmark results for Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) models reveal consistent improvements across generations in synthetic graphics tests, though overall performance remained modest compared to discrete GPUs of the era. Early third-generation models like the GMA 950 achieved average scores of 932 in 03 and 140 in 06, reflecting limited 9 capabilities suitable only for basic 2D tasks and light 3D workloads. Fourth-generation variants, such as the GMA X3100, showed gains with averages of 1,520 in 03 and approximately 445–528 in 06, enabling smoother handling of Model 3.0 effects. The GMA X4500 and its HD variant further enhanced these metrics, averaging 2,020 in and 793 in , representing roughly a 2x uplift over third-generation models in scenarios due to increased units and higher clock speeds. These scores positioned GMA integrated graphics as viable for office productivity and legacy applications but inadequate for demanding . The following table summarizes representative results across key models:
Model3DMark 03 (Avg)3DMark 06 (Avg)
GMA 950 (Gen3)932140
GMA X3100 (Gen4)1,520486
GMA X4500MHD (Gen4 HD)2,020793
In application-specific benchmarks like SPECviewperf 10 for CAD and engineering workloads, GMA models demonstrated entry-level viability but trailed discrete options significantly. The GMA 4500MHD scored around 4.5 in , 2.2 in , and 1.3 in , indicating 10–20% of the performance seen in mid-range discrete GPUs like the NVIDIA 8600 series, which often exceeded 20 fps in similar tests. These results highlight the GMA's focus on efficiency over high-fidelity 3D modeling, with frame rates dropping below 5 fps in complex scenes. Video playback benchmarks underscored generational strides in media acceleration. Third-generation GMA 950 struggled with 1080p content in tools like VLC, often requiring CPU fallback and resulting in frame drops due to partial hardware support for and WMV9. In contrast, fourth-generation GMA X4500HD achieved smooth 1080p H.264, , and decoding via Intel Clear Video Technology, handling Blu-ray playback flawlessly over with minimal CPU utilization (under 10%). Cross-generation comparisons confirm the GMA X4500 series delivered 2–3x the 9 performance of third-generation models, driven by architectural refinements like unified shaders and improved . Later PowerVR-based variants, such as the GMA 3650 (SGX545 core), excelled in workloads typical of mobile environments, outperforming prior GMAs in low-power scenarios but lagging in desktop applications, where scores remained below 3,000 in 2001SE. Official driver support for GMA ended with version 15.36.x in 2016, supporting up to ; on , it uses the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, resulting in no and significantly reduced performance compared to native-era systems. On , the open-source i915 driver in the kernel provides basic 2D/3D support, but video acceleration is limited.

Gaming Capabilities

The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) series, particularly Generation 4 models like the GMA X4500, demonstrated limited suitability for gaming during its era, capable of running select 2008 titles at reduced settings and resolutions. For instance, could achieve 15-30 frames per second (FPS) at 800x600 resolution with all settings on low, often requiring modded drivers for optimal performance. This playability was era-appropriate but highlighted the GMA's constraints compared to contemporary discrete GPUs, as higher resolutions or medium settings typically dropped below 10 FPS. The PowerVR-based GMA 600, based on PowerVR SGX535 architecture, found a niche in lighter mobile and Android-ported games due to its native support for 2.0, enabling smooth execution of 2D and simple 3D titles. Examples include casual games like , which ran fluidly at native resolutions without stuttering, leveraging the ES 2.0 compatibility for efficient rendering on low-power embedded systems. However, more demanding 3D games from the period, such as , were capped at around 24 FPS on high settings at 1024x768, underscoring its focus on basic multimedia over intensive gaming. By 2025 standards, GMA hardware remains unsuitable for post-2010 AAA titles, which are unplayable even at minimum settings due to insufficient units, , and support. Indie games via compatibility layers like Proton or Wine on can achieve 10-20 FPS for Generation 4 on very low settings and sub-720p resolutions, but performance varies widely by title and requires extensive tweaks. Optimizations such as drastically reduced resolutions and disabled effects are essential, though advanced features like ray tracing or are entirely unsupported owing to the lack of for 12 or extensions. This gap persists across generations, positioning GMA primarily for legacy or ultra-light gaming rather than mainstream use.

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