S3 Graphics unveils the Chrome 400 Series - Energy-Efficient HD Multimedia and DirectX 10.1 Gaming
Written by Andreas G 18 February 2008 18:29

Out of nowhere, S3 Graphics has announced a new line of graphics cards called the Chrome 400 series. It can output the very latest graphics through its DirectX 10.1 support, but the overall performance might cripple it from actually outputting the necessary amounts of frames per second. As with previous S3 GPUs, the target is not the high-end users but the mainstream segment. People looking for affordable GPUs with lots of features. And when it comes to features, the Chrome 400 series does not disappoint.

The Chrome 400 series uses a 65nm GPU with a remarkably low power consumption and heat output. The target market isn't just desktops, but also portables. Even though the gaming performance may not be on top, e.g. 64-bit memory bus, the multimedia capabilities certainly are. VIA touts, full HD video support and the latest in display connectivity.

"S3 Graphics has developed a product that will deliver incredible, high quality 1080p HD playback for Home Media Centers, Desktop PCs and Ultra Thin and Light Notebook PCs without creating the unwanted noise and heat often associated with high performance components," said Dr. Ken Weng, GM of S3 Graphics. "The feature-rich capabilities in the Chrome 400 Series will provide the end-user with a broad spectrum of new visual capabilities in a leading performance-per-watt product."

As you may have guessed by now, the Chrome 400 series will be integrated and used along the side of the chipset on motherboards. The first GPUs will be available later this month.

• DirectX 10.1 Support: An S3 proprietary unified shader architecture supports the latest additions to DirectX 10.1 allowing realistic 3D rendering and increased visual acuity through improved Anti-aliasing (AA), Image/Texture improvements, higher precision formats, and programmable lighting effects. These improvements will allow users to experience life-like rendering and image quality in supported DirectX 10.1 applications.
• ChromotionHD Video Technology: Featuring a fully programmable video architecture with true HD quality 1080p playback for Blu-ray and HD-DVD content, the ChromotionHD engine supports the latest HD standards including H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1, WMV-HD, and AVS, for a stunning movie experience. The video engine is also highly optimized with the decoding and post processing display pipeline that allows simultaneous acceleration of single and multiple video streams in HD format with vibrant colors and picture clarity.
• S3 Graphics PowerWise Technology: Sophisticated algorithms and power control mechanisms will allow Chrome 400 Series GPUs to deliver the optimal balance between performance and power on-the-fly, to meet performance and application requirements for power efficient graphics computing on thin and light notebook PCs and small form factor (SFF) PCs. Additional benefits allow users to increase time-between-charges by extending battery life and superior performance-per-watt operation, giving users a true mobile graphics platform for the latest 3D and HD video technologies. Enabling PowerWise on consumer desktops will provide an ideal platform for silent, fanless solutions in HD multimedia home systems. In the corporate market, PowerWise will reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO), minimizing electricity usage and cooling costs.
• PCI Express 2.0: Chrome 400 Series GPUs support the latest advances to the PC component interconnect by offering users the ability to boost the graphics performance of their current systems with the high throughput PCI Express 2.0 bus technology. The faster connection speed also allows users to take advantage of additional S3 Graphics technologies such as AcceleRAM which leverages system memory for image data storage, and MultiChrome Multi-GPU technology to unleash higher 3D rendering performance.
• Advanced Display Connectivity: Integrated digital display support with HDCP content protection will allow users to connect to a multitude of monitors, displays, and consumer electronic (CE) devices for HD content viewing across a secure display path. Built-in HDMI transmitters with HD Audio controllers allow seamless HDMI connectivity, without requiring external cable connectors for audio inputs into the GPU. Display interfaces include HDMI, dual-link DVI, DisplayPort, HDTV, and VGA. Supporting the latest display technologies ensures S3 Graphics can deliver an optimal viewing experience to the user for 3D and HD video.
• AcceleRAM: Chrome 400 Series GPUs allow users to dynamically manage the total video memory size by using a combination of local and system memory. Data transfers between system memory and the graphics processor take place on-the-fly across the PCIe bus.
• Advanced Display and Audio Integration: Chrome 400 Series processors incorporate two dual-link DVI transmitters each with integrated HDMI and HDCP, an integrated dual channel LVDS transmitter, an integrated TV/HDTV encoder, and support for two analog CRTs. Chrome 400 Series processors also introduce S3 Graphics’ new integrated HD Audio controller and codec. DisplayPort is supported through an external transmitter.
• Advanced power management: Chrome 400 Series processors support advanced power management technologies for desktop and mobile implementations, including dynamic clock controls and integrated temperature sensor technology. Individual execution units can also be turned-off when idle which allows additional power savings. Chrome 400 Series products support PCIe ASPM which helps minimize power consumption dynamically.

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