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Apple ditches 32nm Arrandale, won't use Intel graphics

12/5/2009 by: Theo Valich - Get more from this author


In just a few weeks Intel will launch its 32+45nm dual-core+iGFX Fusion processor, and the OEMs have jumped onboard with the Calpella designs [codename for PM55-chipset based platform]. However, there is one company that doesn't care...

Apple is the company that is known for always going on their own way and now it seems that the divide between Apple and Intel is wider than ever. According to sources close to the heart of the matter, Apple allegedly refused to adopt Intel's Arrandale and the Calpella platform in its default form. In order for Apple to implement Calpella design with their next refresh of Mac mini / MacBook / MacBook Pro lines, Intel will have to provide Apple with the 32nm version without the integrated graphics part. Again, we cannot confirm the information about the replacement CPU, we only know that Apple rejected Arrandale.

Also worth noting is that according to available information, nVidia scored massive 80% of Calpella design wins with their 40nm based DirectX 10.1 parts, which only leaves us to wonder where things went wrong for AMD and their Manhattan line of Mobility Radeon products. As you probably know, ATI Manhattan is a codename for mobile versions of DirectX 11 parts [Evergreen family].

But it turns out that OEMs were much more interested in Hybrid Graphics mode and allegedly nVidia hardware performs much better in that switching function than ATI-based GPUs. Given that AMD has its own vision for notebooks, we're not entirely surprised at this chain of events.


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Intel 32nm Clarkdale Core i5 661 Dual Core CPU + GPU Evaluation by: Sean Kalinich
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Apple, Clarkdale, Arrandale, 32nm, 45nm, INTC, AAPL, Intel Corporation, Intel, OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturer, Calpella, nVidia, DirectX 10.1, Hybrid Graphics, Manhattan, ATI Manhattan, DirectX 11, DX11

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Comments:

Interesting by: Anonymous on 12/30/2009
This is an interesting article... A more heated comment too...


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Apple ditches 32nm Arrandale by: Anonymous on 12/10/2009
According to the rumor, Apple has rejected Intel’s 32nm Arrandale and the Calpella platform in its default form. The main issue is related to the integrated graphics, and as the rumor goes, Apple wants Intel to provide them with the processor sans the integrated graphics part.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Acai-Optimum-Review&id=3381692
by: Anonymous on 12/9/2009
Where the hell is the FTC? By not offering a low-power mainstream core i7 part without integrated graphics, Intel is abusing it's Monopolistic power, forcing nvidia out of the chipset business and a large portion of the graphics business all in one evil move.

Intel graphic solutions are worthless and they know it. This is the only way they can force the industry to buy more of their worthless technology - by making it a requirement.

Apple may be the only Manufacturer with the moxie to throw Intel under the bus for this behavior. I doubt that Dell, HP, Acer, Sony, or Toshiba will even care that they are holding back an entire Industry by being Intel stooges.
TS Raja Chennai by: Anonymous on 12/7/2009
If motherboards are "soul" of computers,"Asus is God".
Intel IGP graphics are decent IGP graphics by: Anonymous on 12/7/2009
People always forget to figure graphics performance PER WATT. By that measure, the coming Intel IGP is quite good, and will be even better in Sandy Bridge. Of course if you can spend more power budget, and require more 3d performance, then adding a discrete ATI or nVidia part is the way to go, but it depends on your graphics needs.

AMD APUs will be more interesting in 2012. In 2011, Llano will still be gimped with an aging K10.5 CPU core. Only in 2012 does AMD say they'll work BD (or bobcat) cores into their APUs. Will be interesting to see how those compare with Ivy Bridge and Haswell offerings. Probably somewhat stronger GPU but significantly weaker CPU for the AMD parts.
APU will be interesting by: Anonymous on 12/7/2009
Intel graphics is not on Apple level,I understand Apple ,Apple want better graphics for their system like Ati or Nvidia.APU from AMD will be interesting.
Fusion arrives in January by: Anonymous on 12/7/2009
And gets even more fused in H2 2010 with Sandy Bridge.

AMD intends to join the party sometime in 2011.
Release schedule by: Anonymous on 12/7/2009
Hi Theo,

Thanks for sharing the info. Are you able to shed any light on the details/timing for a MBP revision in the new year?

Cheers

Mike
by: rvalencia on 12/7/2009
http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html
Apple iMac with ATI Radeon HD 4670 option.
AMD will be ok by: Anonymous on 12/6/2009
The design wins will come. Once Fusion arrives the whole PC industry will "HAVE TO" sit up and take notice.
glofo 32nm? by: Anonymous on 12/6/2009
Um Theo, GloFo scrapped the 32nm process, check the proces node slides
RE: Apple and Arrandale by: Theo Valich on 12/5/2009
After publication of the story, we have received information that sheds new light on the situation.

We'll try to confirm, but it looks like Apple is going to wait for Sandy Bridge, coming later in 2010.

Ed.
This story doesn't make sense as written by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
If Apple wants better graphics, but the option to save power, design a hybrid, and use Arrandale as is.

If the hybrid scheme is the problem, use Arrandale as is, and just disable the on-package integrated graphics, saving all the power anyhow.

The 45nm IGP is also the MEMORY CONTROLLER, so Intel cannot just package up the 32nm Westmere die and leave off the 45nm part.

They would either have to produce a completely new Arrandale die with the IMC at 32nm on the same die, or package the 45nm IMC alone, as a new, smaller die, without the IGP included. Again that makes no sense, just disable it.

Are you quite certain you got the rumor right? I could believe they will not use the Arrandale IGP alone (certainly not in a macbook pro), and will either replace it or hybridize it with a discrete part, but it seems pretty dumb (and unlikely) to skip Arrandale CPU tech.
RE: Posting by: Theo Valich on 12/5/2009
Hi Anonymous,

We are currently working on bringing the whole new system of commenting, which will include Facebook, Twitter and OpenID support. It will be an in-house solution because we do not trust the 3rd party e-mail collectors which claim OpenID support too.

The new comment system will preserve all of the older comments, and enable greater freedom - and keep the site safe from spammers.

Thank you for the patience while we develop it.

Ed.
Apple's plans by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
I presume this means that Apple are going to use the desktop Nehalem CPUs at laptop speeds. I wonder what effect that will have on power consumption?

Also why don't you integrate OpenID support for posting here?
Re: Pfft by: Theo Valich on 12/5/2009
Greetings anonymous, it seems that you haven't followed BSN* close enough.

AMD will not launch Northern Islands in 2010, as the move to 32nm and to GlobalFoundries requires a whole lot of time. Plus, it's a new architecture for AMD and you can expect a similar story to nVidia's NV100/Fermi architecture. Northern Islands are expected in 1H 2011 and until then, the only new GPU being launched in 2010 will be re-shaped 5870 in the form of souped-up 5890 and dual-GPU 5950 boards.

Ed.
pfft by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
> Apple already uses discrete AMD/ATI graphics. So,, the subpar AMD x86 processor is not the reason why Apple don't use ATI graphics.

Sub-par processors you say? They offer more bang per buck, also checkout the current top500 supercomputer list.

Anyways I think this decision has to do with stock. Recently was reported that Apple bought a ton of 48xx ATI stock. ATI is struggling to supply the market and even Nvidia is having issues. Both vendors rely on TSMC and I guess the capacity is not high enough to satisfy the demand.

This is probably why AMD is going to release the 32nm node video cards sometimes mid 2010 using their own foundry (GloFlo). Bulldozer is not coming until 2011.
AMD graphics cards by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
you don't need an AMD processor to use an AMD GPU on laptops of desktops. Look at the Thinkpad T400, it uses Core2 Duo and AMD Radeon HD 3470.
ATIAMD graphics by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
Apple already uses discrete AMD/ATI graphics. So,, the subpar AMD x86 processor is not the reason why Apple don't use ATI graphics.
AMD graphic cards by: Anonymous on 12/5/2009
Isn't it obvious as to why no AMD graphic cards are used?

As long as AMD processor are no good for Apple, no AMD graphics are going to be used. For AMD graphics you need an entire AMD platform. From processor to chipset. So no processor equals no graphic cards. Even if they are as good as evergreen.

On the desktop Apple you can use AMD graphic cards. Because AMD graphic cards can easily be used with Intel processors.
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