AMD on Wednesday introduced on the AMD 690 series chipset, the company?s first chipset to bring together the combined strengths of AMD CPU and platform technology with the features of the ATI Radeon X1250 GPU.

Integrating the graphics processor into the 690 chip set means that PCs based on the chip set will not require a separate graphics card.

"As a result of the ATI merger, AMD is delivering innovative platforms for the commercial and consumer markets featuring best of breed performance, visual computing experience, energy efficiency and stability," said Dirk Meyer, AMD president and COO.

The AMD 690 series chipset incorporates ATI Radeon X1250 graphics into its design to ensure The Ultimate Visual Experience for Windows Vista.

AMD will offer two versions of the chipset. Both the high-end 690G as well as the low-end 690V are built in a 80 nm process by TSMC.

Working together, AMD?s chipset, CPU and GPU hardware and software teams have optimized the AMD 690 platform to provide stability and image quality and will soon support select platforms in the AMD Validated Solutions program. Commercial customers will appreciate the energy-efficient design of AMD 690 series-based platforms, in a compact package suitable for multiple form factors and configurations, supporting up to four monitors with the addition of a dual-DVI ATI Radeon graphics card.

The AMD 690 family is the first AMD chipset with ATI graphics that supports ATI Avivo technology for smooth video playback and true-to-life images for all multimedia, including high-definition content. The AMD 690 series chipset also provides more display choices than any other chipset today, being the first chipset with integrated HDMI and a separate DVI output. Protected content can also be played through on-chip HDCP support. In addition, both chipsets also share support for DirectX 9, Shader Model 2.0, acceleration for H.264 and VC-1 HD video, as well as the connected SB600 Southbridge with 10 USB and four SATA ports as well as support for PATA-based hard drives.

The new AMD 690 series chipset is also a new addition to the AMD Better by Design program. Launched earlier this year, the Better by Design program is an industry-wide initiative highlighting outstanding performance and superior technologies in PCs designed by global OEMs.

The AMD 690 series chipset will be widely available from AMD partners, including Albatron Technology Co., ASUS, Biostar, ECS, ELITEGROUP COMPUTER SYSTEMS CO., LTD, EPoX Computer Company, Foxconn Technology Group, GIGABYTE United Inc, Jetway Info Co. Ltd., MSI Computer Ltd., PCPartner Ltd. and Sapphire. In addition, numerous system integrators are on board including Atelco, Bas Group, Formoza, Multimedis, Onda, PC Box, Seethru, Systemax, Unika, Unika Multimedia and ZT Group.

AMD seems to be ready to position the new RS690 chipset against Nvidia. The company puts the RS690 right against Nvidia's MCP61, while it claims that it will outrun not only Intel, but also Nvidia in video quality and benchmarks.