Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

[rory 0]

As I came across this technology in 2 Micro ATX Motherboards, a GigaByte and an MSI, and my PCI Express x16 did not work in either, i was "forced" to do some minor research. Onboard video has definately improved.

 

These are the 2 Micro ATX Motherboards i used.

http://tw.giga-byte.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2304&ProductName=GA-8I945GZME-RH

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=915GVM3-V&class=mb

 

So actually, I installed an MSI GeForce 6200 64MB Video card (with Turbo Cache) in both, and it worked, but could only get blue video screens with Geo. So I took out the card and used the onboard video (with the MSI), the Intel 950 with the latest updates. Amazingly it actually performed the same, and almost better. The whole system felt faster, could it be due to the DDR2 Memory Modules compared to DDR, probably not, possibly just the newer Intel Technology, but either way it worked with a Geo Vision GV-1120-16 overnight testing, without failure. I haven't tested on the GigaByte Board yet, but its the same technology. In fact, this is found on many other motherboards now.

 

Here is a review of the same GigaByte motherboard I have, and the page linked has a decent explanation on this Intel 950.

http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=131949

 

Also, it notes that the PCI Express on this particular motherboard runs at 4x, and in fact the MSI version also does this, yet this is not mentioned on the Retailers sites where the Motherboards are listed. So before purchasing a MicroATX board to be used with a seperate PCI Express Video card, check the manufacturer's site of the Board and the Card, to make sure they will work together.

 

The Video Card manufacturer should have a message or other information posted in their specs if it only does the full 16x, such as the example in this Asus PCI Express Card (the one I had) - http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=2&l2=8&l3=0&model=399&modelmenu=1.

And in the case of the MSI Motherboard, it actually said it only does 4x on the PCI Express slot .. ofcourse being new to PCI Express technology I didnt know to even check this out before i made the purchase, and it did not say this on the box.

 

Bottom line is when dealing with Micro ATX boards and PCI Express for the first time, read all the manuals and reviews before you buy the products. Maybe this post will save someone else from the extra expense I was forced to spend on additional Motherboards and Video cards.

 

And in case anyone is asking why the cheapo Motherboard (?), well that is basically double the price time as it lands here, so its not exactly cheap anymore .. yep .. a $150 motherboard is essentially a $350 Motherboard here after Shipping and Customs. So we have to cut costs on certain systems especially if they dont require the ultimate PC, and moreso with the small CCTV Market we have here.

 

Rory