The capabilities of the latest generation Intel integrated video processor are impressive. In many current and past games, the Intel HD Graphics 3000 delivers performance on par with entry-level discrete graphics cards. The performance potential of the novelty is many times greater than the potential of the previous generation Intel integrated graphics - Intel GMA HD, which in practice means the ability to use higher graphics settings in undemanding games and the ability to run modern games, as a rule, in low quality settings.

During testing, it was noticed that the Intel HD 3000 does not cope quite well with some games. In particular, there were problems with the brightness level: in Left 4 Dead 2 and Supreme Commander, the game scene turned out to be too dark, and scenes in The Sims 3 and HAWX 2, on the contrary, turned out to be too bright after changing the resolution setting. Meanwhile, Mafia II didn't launch at all. Let's hope that with the advent of new versions of the driver, the problems that have arisen will be solved.

Considering the excellent performance level of the new quad-core Intel processors of the Sandy Bridge architectural generation, one cannot help but talk about the positive influence of the central processor on the results of integrated graphics performance testing.

Speaking of Intel HD Graphics 3000, keep in mind that the frequency of its operation may vary depending on the specific processor model. While the video core built into the Intel Core i7-2720QM processor operates at a frequency of 650 MHz to 1300 MHz, the same range of values ​​​​for the Intel Core i7-2635QM CPU is 650-1200 MHz, and for the Intel Core i7-2630QM model - 650- 1100 MHz.

ULV (ultra low power) class processors have even lower frequency responses, from 350 MHz to 900 MHz, indicating a correspondingly lower level of performance. The same applies to configurations that are limited by the cooling system, since this factor can act as an obstacle to achieving the maximum performance achieved through the use of Intel Turbo Boost Technology.

The motherboard can hardly be called a novelty, since it is based on the AMD 760G northbridge introduced in early 2009. Initially, it was intended to replace AMD 740G as a budget model for the Socket AM2/AM2+ platform, but later it was adapted for subsequent Socket AM3/AM3+ sockets. The main distinguishing feature of the AMD 760G is the presence of an integrated graphics core AMD Radeon HD 3000, operating at 350 MHz and compatible with DirectX 10. It supports a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 and is intended more for multimedia needs, since it will provide at least some acceptable performance in modern games it is not capable.

As for the GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 itself, it acts as an affordable and compact model for assembling entry-level systems. At the time of writing, it is offered at a price of about $70.

Let's take a look at the detailed specifications of GIGABYTE's solution.

GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 motherboard specification:

ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX Base Motherboard for Socket AM3+ Processors

The ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX motherboard is an entry-level compact microATX solution that allows you to build a system based on AMD FX, Phenom II or Athlon II processors. It is based on a pair of well-known microcircuits - AMD 760G / SB710.

The RAM subsystem of the ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX model consists of two 240-pin DIMM slots that support dual-channel operation of 8 GB DDR3-1866 MHz modules. And for connecting drives and optical drives, four SATA 3 Gb / s ports are used.

The video subsystem of the ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX board contains an integrated graphics core from the AMD Radeon HD 3000 series, and also allows you to install discrete graphics cards with PCI Express 2.0 x16 interface. And in the set of external interfaces of the novelty there are USB 2.0, D-Sub, PS / 2, RJ45 ports and audio outputs.

Other interesting features of the ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX include:

the use of exclusively solid capacitors in the processor voltage stabilization system;

the presence of a 5.1-channel audio subsystem;

support for one gigabit network controller;

support for automatic processor optimization technology - ASRock X-Boost;

the ability to store optimized system settings in a separate file and use it in another system for the purpose of overclocking it (OC DNA technology);

support for a number of useful technologies: ASRock XFast 555, App Charger, OC Tuner and others;

Fully compatible with Windows 8 operating system.

ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX motherboard detailed technical specification table:

ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX New Motherboard for AMD "Scorpius" Platform

Announced a new motherboard, which is based on a pair of AMD 760G / SB710 chips. The novelty is equipped with an AMD AM3 + processor socket, which allows you to create budget systems based on it using AMD FX, Phenom II or Athlon II solutions.

Other key components of the model include:

the presence of two 240-pin RAM slots that support dual-channel operation of eight-gigabyte modules of the DDR3-1866 MHz standard;

support for two high-speed SATA 6.0 Gb / s ports, four SATA 3.0 Gb / s interfaces and one ATA133 IDE connector, which are used to connect drives and optical drives;

the presence of an integrated graphics core AMD Radeon 3000;

the presence of one PCI Express x16 slot, which allows you to install a discrete video card;

support for a 6-channel audio subsystem, which is based on the Realtek ALC662 codec;

two high-speed external USB 3.0 ports.

In addition, the solution has a number of additional advantages that effectively distinguish it from the background of competitive analogues. Chief among them are:

the use of solid capacitors in power units of key components;

support for XFast RAM technology, which optimizes the use of RAM;

support for XFast LAN technology, which allows you to increase the efficiency of using the bandwidth of the network communication channel;

support for XFast USB technology, which speeds up file transfer using the USB 3.0 interface;

using the unique C.C.R. (Combo Cooler Retention), which improves CPU cooling efficiency and makes the new socket compatible with AM3 / AM2+ coolers;

support for OC Tuner technology, which allows you to optimize and monitor key parameters.

The summary table of the technical specification of the new motherboard is as follows:

Announcement of the new motherboard ASUS M5A78L-M LX3

The range of ASUS motherboards has been replenished with another new product, which is called M5A78L-M LX3. It was created in the Micro-ATX form factor based on AMD 760G (780L)/SB710 chips and equipped with an AM3+ processor socket. Thus, the new product can effectively work in tandem with AMD FX, Phenom II, Athlon II and Sempron 100 processors, the thermal package of which does not exceed 95 W.

The RAM system of the model consists of two 240-pin slots. They support dual-channel operation of installed DDR3 modules, the total volume of which should not exceed 16 GB, and the clock frequency is 1866 MHz.

The solution's disk system is exclusively served by a southbridge chip (AMD SB710) and includes four SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports. The video subsystem of the novelty is based on two components: the integrated graphics core ATI Radeon HD 3000 (support for DirectX 10 instructions) and one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, which allows you to install an additional discrete video card.

The set of external interfaces of the motherboard is characterized by the presence of only the most necessary interfaces: USB 2.0, PS / 2, D-Sub, RJ-45, COM and audio outputs.

Among the additional advantages of the novelty, we note the support for a number of useful technologies:

ASUS EPU - provides optimization of power consumption;

ASUS Anti-Surge Protection - ensures that internal components are protected from excessive voltage;

EMI - protects the user from harmful electromagnetic radiation of system components;

ESD - provides protection of internal components from static discharge;

ASUS Core Unlocker - simplifies the process of unlocking additional processor cores;

FAN X-pert - allows the user to control the parameters of the internal fans.

The table of the technical specification of the new motherboard is as follows.

Owners of ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics cards will need to install a basic driver and, possibly, additional software to fine-tune the component in order to increase its performance. You can install the necessary files in different ways, and in this article we will consider 4 available options.

Information before installing the driver for ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics

After ATI was bought out by AMD, all previously released products and their support continued to be released and updated, slightly changing their name. For this reason, the name "ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics" likewise ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series, so next we will talk about installing the driver, titled that way.

Due to the fact that these graphics adapters are quite outdated, you should not wait for firmware updates - the latest version was released several years ago with the addition of support for Windows 8. Therefore, if you are a Windows 10 user, the correct operation of the driver is not guaranteed.

Method 1: AMD Official Site

AMD keeps the software for all of its graphics cards, whether they're the latest models or the early ones. Therefore, here you can easily download the necessary files. This method is the safest, since quite often drivers saved from unverified sources are infected with viruses.

1. Go to the AMD support page from the link above. Using the product list, select the following option:

   Graphics > AMD Radeon HD > ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series> model of your video card > "Send".



2. A page with a list of supported operating systems will open. As mentioned above, there is no adapted version for Windows 10. Its owners can download software for the G8, but the developers do not guarantee that it will work 100% correctly.

   

   On the plus, expand the appropriate tab and select the desired driver version. The stable version is called Catalyst Software Suite, and it is recommended that most users download it. However, in certain cases it may be preferable to download Latest Beta Driver. This is an updated version of the software, in which isolated errors have been eliminated. You can view their list by expanding the spoiler Driver Details.



3. Having decided on the version, click on the button "Download".



4. Run the downloaded installer. Change the decompression location, if necessary, and click Install.



5. Wait for the files to unzip.



6. In the Catalyst Installation Manager that appears, specify the interface language, if required, and proceed further.



7. To perform a quick installation, select "Install".



8. First of all, specify the path where the directory with the driver will be installed. It is recommended to leave the default location. after that mark active installation type - "Fast" or "Custom". Then - "Further".



9. The configuration will be analyzed.



10. The steps vary depending on the type of installation you choose. If "Custom", you will be prompted to cancel the installation of an additional PC component AMD APP SDK Runtime, with "Fast" this stage is absent.



11. Agree to the terms of the license agreement with the button "To accept".

The driver will be installed along with Catalyst. During the procedure, the screen will dim several times for a short period of time. At the end of the installation, restart your computer - now you can configure the video card settings through Catalyst or immediately begin to fully use your PC.

Method 2: Programs for installing drivers

An alternative to the above method would be to use software from third-party developers. Such software installs drivers for any number of computer components and peripherals that need to be connected or updated.

Such a solution is especially relevant if you are going to reinstall the operating system or just want to update the software part of the equipment. In addition, it is absolutely not necessary to install all drivers at the same time - you can do it selectively, for example, only for a video card.

In our other article, the best of these programs are discussed in detail.

The most popular applications from this list are DriverPack Solution and DriverMax. Despite the fact that the principle of working with them is simple, novice users may have certain questions. For this category, we have prepared instructions on how to install drivers through these programs.

Intel HD Graphics 3000 is an integrated graphics core built into central processing units. Basically, this graphics chip is built into older Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 models of the Sandy Bridge generation (the second generation of intel core i).

Specifications

The characteristics of the HD Graphics 3000 are slightly higher than those of its younger brother (HD Graphics 2000), although not by much. But in general, the chip still does not stand out with anything special.

The maximum operating frequency of the video adapter reaches 1350MHz (the actual value depends on the processor paired with the graphics chip). HD Graphics 3000 is equipped with a good number of universal processors (12).

Memory

The amount of memory depends on the RAM allocated to the graphics core, because integrated video cards do not have their own video memory. How much RAM will be given to the needs of the graphics adapter depends on the BIOS settings, but you won’t be able to allocate too much, no matter how much you want it.

The speed of the video card depends on the frequency and timings of the RAM sticks used on the computer. This is the weak point of all integrated solutions, and the Intel HD Graphics 3000 is no exception. The bus width is 64 bits, which is incredibly small.

In terms of supported APIs, everything is rather sad, you can use DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.3 (only OpenGL 3.1 is supported on Windows). At the moment, the API data is hopelessly outdated. In terms of editing and working with graphics, everything is also bad, there is no support for Cuda or OpenCL, it remains only to be content with the presence of Quick Sync, and this decoder is not supported by all programs. Although the capabilities of integrated graphics are not enough for full-fledged video editing.

What tasks can such a video card handle?

Working with office applications, using a computer to access the Internet, watching HD / FullHD videos, movies or cartoons, basic work with graphics or editing applications, running old games - about the entire list of what the Intel HD Graphics 3000 can do.

You can’t even count on more, such chips of discrete video cards as overclocking are completely absent here. Turbo Boost technology can partially replace overclocking, although you should not pin high hopes on it, it will not give an impressive increase in performance.

Gaming capabilities of the video adapter

If we are talking exclusively about the novelties of the gaming industry, then you can completely forget about it. Very few games will run on the Intel HD Graphics 3000 due to the lack of support for modern APIs and poor performance.

With older games, the situation is much better, most of them will start and work without problems. But there are some exceptions that work fine on weaker and older discrete solutions, but refuse to run normally on Intel HD Graphics.

What's with the drivers?

An insufficiently high-quality driver is the reason why a small part of old games refuses to work on this video card. If Intel tried to correct the situation for the latest versions of HD Graphics, then this video card has already been forgotten.

Although installing the driver is very easy, all you have to do is go to the intel website and download the necessary software. Updating drivers will also not cause problems, everything is intuitive. To install a new version of the driver, you can use the Intel settings or manually download the updated installation package from the official website.

For Linux, there is no driver from the manufacturer, instead, a free solution is used, which comes with the Mesa3D libraries. The update is automatic, but if you want to update manually, you will need to install the latest version of Mesa3D and the Linux kernel.

Comparison with discrete counterparts

If we compare with video cards, then the budget models of the 4th or 5th generation of Nvidia, as well as the budget models of the 5th or 6th generation Radeon HD, are approximately equal in performance. With these video adapters, Intel HD Graphics 3000 is in parity, faster and more powerful solutions will not leave even the slightest chance for an integrated chip, but such video cards will also cost quite a lot.

Conclusion

The Intel HD Graphics 3000 is a great choice if you need an office workhorse but don't want to buy a separate graphics card. If you don't want to play new games or other demanding projects, a computer with an integrated graphics chip will keep you happy for a long time.

Hardcore gamers and other game lovers should not even look at the HD Graphics 3000, the graphics card will not be able to meet your needs.