Can integrated graphics do antialiasing and anisotropic filtering?

Having looked at a Toshiba M305D's screen properties, I know that at least a Radeon 3200 can do them at the driver level. However, I don't know if IGPs like the 9400M/Ion, GMA 4500MHD or GMA HD can do them, be it via driver settings or application settings. Feasibility of using them aside, do you know if they can perform them?

 

I don't think the intel ones support AA but I'm pretty sure they support AF.

 

Even if they did wouldn't want to do it.

Put it this way. Why do people buy Cross Fire or SLI, spending about $900 to $1,000 for video cards?

Is it because a single HD5770 isn't enough and they need more framerate?

The single HD5770 can't crank out high detail shading?

Nope, the reason is for that extra bit of eye candy. Essentially the second card, in the Cross-Fire or SLI setup is there purely to crank out AA, SAO, HBAO, etc etc, for all those small little eye candy.

I don't use AA on my HD5870M just because of the hardware limitation. That's why the xBox360 pretty much has a dedicated chip to crank out 4X AA.

 

Well, what is an acceptable eyecandy/framerate tradeoff is highly subjective. And while AA and AF on IGPs are most likely outrageous ideas for modern games, they should be useable on <=DX7-era games and console emulation. It's nice to at least have the option.

 

Intel's GMAs don't support FSAA at all; not even the new GMA HD. nVidia's and AMD's do, but you're going to have to go back pretty far to find a game that won't bog-down integrated graphics with AA applied, especially since FSAA shows it's main impact on the framebuffer, and integrated GPUs share system memory for that duty.

AF, however, is fully supported across all modern GPUs, and the performance impact is generally pretty minimal.

 

The nVidia ION definitely supports AA and AF.

 

I think we can pretty much give up on discrete cards on CULV systems, and Ion on iX is a no-go. I wonder what are the chances of a SU9400 with Ion/320m, or that AMD's Nile turns out good...

 

I think its weird you don't use AA on your hd5870. I use it on my 8600m gt, even if I have to tune down other settings (lower resolution for example). AA makes games look so much better IMO.

 

Why do you say that? There are several CULV based notebooks that come equipped with discrete cards.

-Alienware M11X (SU7300 + Nvidia 335)
-Asus UL30/80/50VT (SU7300 + Nvidia 210m)
-Asus UL30/80/50JT (Core i5-520UM CULV + Nvidia 310)

There may be more...but those are a few examples of CULV processors paired with discrete graphics.

 

I kinda agree...if I can play with AA I will, but I would NEVER sacrifice better textures, draw distance, effects, etc just to turn on AA...I mean, yeah AA looks nice, but come on, its not THAT awesome and doesnt change things that much besides some edge smoothing.

 

What I meant was 11.6", should have clarified that. To be more specific, the question is whether CULV + discrete graphics on a 1810T-like envelope is even a possibility without some outrageously expensive cooling solution.

 

The M11x is 11.6"...

 

Ah, I see. I don't know that there is a notebook out that is truly the size (and weight I assume) of the 1810T or the like, but...

Thanks Mastershroom. The M11X does indeed have an 11.6" screen...though its "footprint" is closer to that of a 13" or 14" notebook if thats what you are most concerned about Ordacle.

 

I'm the same way, but honestly I do not play any games that old that I can afford to crank up the AA along with every other setting. AA at 1920 by 1080 is barely noticable on a static screen image, and even less so while moving.

For reference even World of Warcraft (in newer areas) at ultra settings and max res - then cranking AA will bring the 5870 to it's knees.