AMD to launch DirectX 10 integrated chipsets next January?

780G debut

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

17th October 2007 10:09 GMT

AMD will roll out DirectX 10-compatible integrated chipsets for its desktop processors early next year, it has been claimed.

We've already heard of the 780G chipset - aka 'RS780' - but according to an X-bit Labs story, it'll be accompanied by the 740G and, later, the 790G. The report cites unnamed sources said to be familiar with AMD's plans.

It's claimed the 780G will launch in January, possibly alongside the 740G, though there's a question mark over the latter's exact release schedule. The 740G is presumably the 'RS740' chipset that won PCI Express approval in July this year.

The 780G incorporates a HyperTransport 3 bus to allow it to work with Socket AM2+ processors. It also has PCI Express 2.0 technology on board so that mobo makers can offer boards that feature slots for external graphics cards. The chipset's integrated GPU will feed a DisplayPort connector as well as the more commonplace HDMI, DVI and VGA.

Interestingly, the mobile version of the 780G, the M780, will feature the ability to switch at will between the on-board graphics engine and an external one. In a laptop, it's done to conserve battery power, but we wonder if AMD will also implement the feature on the desktop to help reduce systems' overall energy consumption.

The 780G is also expected to use AMD's upcoming SB700 southbridge chip. The SB700 has ports for 12 USB 2.0 devices, two USB 1.1 add-ons, six SATA drives, parallel ATA and PCI add-ons. It also has the usual power management and HD audio support. Interestingly, the reference design also incorporates a Flash module on the ATA bus.