Re: Intel releases new graphics driver
Originally Posted by
beuno
Well, I hope this puts some pressure on ATi and Nvidia to start opening up their own drivers so we can start making better use of the hardware we pay for
It won't for a few reasons.
1) Intel is a niche manufacturer when it comes to graphics hardware. It is mostly confined to mobile and low cost PC's that have no need for powerful graphics.
2) Intel's graphics chips are very basic and while they do have OpenGL and DD/D3D capabilities they are strength is mostly in 2D office stuff.
3) Intel doesn't get significant revenue from the graphics sales, their cash cow is the CPU's they also have a very established market for the intergrated video solutions and have virtualy no competition in it.
4) ATI and nVidia make their money mostly on their graphics cards (both also make chipsets). They are in a huge competition in both high end and budget markets. The biggest difference between the two lies in software not hardware. Opening up their drivers would be akin to shooting themselves in the foot, as it would enable the competitor to discover what makes the other one tick. Right now there is massive reverse engineering going on in both camps but as we know it's not the same as actual open specs (re: NTFS write, .doc in OO and so on).
Since I get asked alot, I am originally from Ukraine but am Russian by nationality. My nick means specter in Russian.
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