Ion 2 to feature double the shaders

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 2nd July 2009
Comments (13) Stumble
Ion 2 to feature double the shaders

The next revision of the Nvidia Ion platform is expected to give netbooks a much-needed graphics boost, offering double the shaders of the current version.

The next generation version of Nvidia's Ion platform is likely to feature a significant performance boost according to industry sources.

As revealed over on Fudzilla, the as-yet unnamed second generation Ion platform will not only feature a die shrink but also see the integrated graphics chip enjoying double the shaders of its predecessor.

The original Ion, aimed at portable devices like notebooks and netbooks that needed acceptable 3D acceleration without drawing too much power, used a modified GeForce 9400M processor with 16 shaders. Industry sources are claiming that the graphics chip to be used in the Ion 2 will feature 32 or more – giving the system a significant increase in 3D rendering performance.

Thanks to a die shrink, the new platform is expected to run at around the same power draw as the original Ion – and isn't thought to require any more advanced cooling. In theory, the Ion 2 will represent a drop-in solution for OEMs that want to give their portables a bit more poke.

It's not just about the gaming, either: with Microsoft hoping to get netbook distributors hooked on the joys of Windows 7, the need for a more powerful graphics chip in the ultra-small devices is likely to become pressing. Additionally, anyone wanting to mess around with packages capable of offloading processing onto the GPU via Nvidia's CUDA will likely want to get their hands on an Ion 2 for the potential speed boost offered.

Nvidia has, for its part, not confirmed any of the rumours currently circulating regarding the successor to the Ion – but the industry expects products based around Ion 2 to be available before the end of the year.

Tempted by a netbook with a bit more poke in the graphics department, or is Ion a losing concept even with double the shaders? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote Skiddywinks 2nd July 2009, 12:53
Interesting. I might have to follow this. If a netbook comes out with a significant boost to performance for the same/similar price, I may well be tempted to buy one.
Quote Kode 2nd July 2009, 13:17
I want one of these for a HTPC, hopefully we will be able to couple it with something with more poke than an Atom :)
Quote wuyanxu 2nd July 2009, 14:11
and still no Ion netbooks avaliable to buy.

might as well wait for Ion 2........... or play the waiting game forever
Quote CSMR 2nd July 2009, 14:16
This doesn't really make sense. The GPU in the Ion is already overpowered relative to the CPU. Increasing GPU performance will have very little value, unless the atom processor is also significantly upgraded. And for HTPC increased GPU power is not needed; the Ion can already decode high bitrate 1080p in the standard formats. What they could have done instead is kept performance the same and reduced power consumption.
Quote p3n 2nd July 2009, 14:40
Stupidity? Doubling the shaders does what? Certainly not 'double' the performance that their PR seems to imply.
Quote kenco_uk 2nd July 2009, 15:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by wuyanxu
and still no Ion netbooks avaliable to buy.

might as well wait for Ion 2........... or play the waiting game forever

qft.
Quote eldiablo 2nd July 2009, 15:14
Im even more interested in the fact that the ion2 should be able to support the via nano. The nano coupled with the ion2 might actually bring a decent enough desktop replacement for the daily tasks without feeling to slow.
Quote kenco_uk 2nd July 2009, 15:15
With the Ion2, we may be 'Extreme Ion'-ing.

Thankyou, thankyou, I'm here all day, bookings available :p
Quote TESCO-Zsömle 2nd July 2009, 15:53
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSMR
This doesn't really make sense. The GPU in the Ion is already overpowered relative to the CPU. Increasing GPU performance will have very little value, unless the atom processor is also significantly upgraded. And for HTPC increased GPU power is not needed; the Ion can already decode high bitrate 1080p in the standard formats. What they could have done instead is kept performance the same and reduced power consumption.

ION 2 comes vith VIA Nano processor. If I remember good, there was a presentation, where the 1,6GHz VIA Nano CPU was compined with a 9600GT, and run Crysis playable, so double the shaders makes the platform much better for games.
Even ION 1 can run older games on a "playable" level (COD2 - 30-40FPS).
Quote TESCO-Zsömle 2nd July 2009, 15:54
Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Obx7ZYTTU
Quote CSMR 2nd July 2009, 22:47
Quote:
Originally Posted by TESCO-Zsömle
ION 2 comes vith VIA Nano processor. If I remember good, there was a presentation, where the 1,6GHz VIA Nano CPU was compined with a 9600GT, and run Crysis playable, so double the shaders makes the platform much better for games.
Even ION 1 can run older games on a "playable" level (COD2 - 30-40FPS).
It's impressive sure, but you won't appeal to gamers. Now for an HTPC can run a few games occasionally, OK, but that's a small market. And even then you only gain the ability to somewhat run the handful of games that are GPU constrained even with an Atom.
ION 1 is great for it's media capabilities, being just right for an HTPC (or media-capable netbook) at a time when the Intel Ion graphics are out of date and useless. Now Ion 2 would be much better at filling a gap in the market for casual gaming with a mainstream desktop/notebook processor... but there are problems fitting in with Intel's new architecture.
Quote SBS 2nd July 2009, 23:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSMR
This doesn't really make sense. The GPU in the Ion is already overpowered relative to the CPU. Increasing GPU performance will have very little value, unless the atom processor is also significantly upgraded. And for HTPC increased GPU power is not needed; the Ion can already decode high bitrate 1080p in the standard formats. What they could have done instead is kept performance the same and reduced power consumption.

Both successors to Atom are due out before Ion 2, no? Along with CPUs from VIA and possibly ARM.

NVidia are doing nothing more than they usually do talking up the next-generation of graphics cards to people within the industry in order to maximise it's exposure.

To declare something pointless while judging it alongside the CPUs currently available doesn't make much sense.

There are a number of bizarre things NVidia have done already with the Ion brand but I'm not sure this is one of them.
Quote Saivert 5th July 2009, 21:01
I love the bizarre stuff! Keep it coming. This is what makes life thrilling and full of surprise!
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