Everyone go and search for "Intel 8087" on Wikipedia. Sounds familiar? We are back where we were three decades ago only on a much larger scale. The future is definitely "fusion". Does Intel's Sandy Bridge integrated graphics support DirectX 11 in order to be compatible with DirectCompute (Microsoft's API) or OpenCL (everyone else's API) for GPGPU applications? If not, will Intel's AVX performance be enough to match DirectCompute/OpenCL implementation? How about in terms of robustness in implementation and reachness in features from software development perspective? By the time AMD Fusion APUs arrive, AMD would have full OpenCL software framework support already available to developers for over a year. It can be done in two ways too: 1. using Fusion APU, or 2. using AMD CPU and Radeon HD 5000 series GPU in PCIe slot. AMD already has GPU market share. The future of x86 is homogeneous GPGPU (somewhere along the lines of Intel's own Larrabee) and what AMD is preparing with Fusion 2.0 by 2015. Both Intel and AMD know it but the software support is what makes it or brakes it. Software support is crucial and a lot still has to be learned about GPGPU computing before it can become homogeneous. This is why Larrabee got scrapped - it was ahead of its time.

...one underestimates the impact of software on a successful product. Intel has proven time and time again it does not know how to do software. There is no reason to expect that their drivers for this GPU will be any better than past unsuccessful efforts from Haifa, Chandler, Hillsboro or Folsom.

Ok, so we're talking about integrated GPUs here, and people are posting about how long a socket lasts. Here's the thing, there are two types of users involved here:

1) People using an integrated GPU. People upgrade these machines sometimes, but they aren't know as the big upgrade crowd. Keep in mind, this article is about integrated GPUs.

2) People using discrete GPSs. First, why are they commenting on this article? Second, just because they will support future CPUs doesn't mean they will support future RAM specifications.

If u want a socket system that will last go with AMD.

Their boards have a really long life. For example they released boards with support for the Phenom 2 about 6 months before any CPU's came out. These boards were widely available for only 75$. The fact that they weren't needed yet avoided the usual price hike and shortages, and when the CPU's finally came out, there was a large enough supply of MOBO's available that the resulting price hike was minimal.

Add on the fact the boards support chips way back (original Athlon x2's or earlier), and far into the future (Like the new 2.8 GHz 6 core for 200$) and these boards have a life span of 5 years easy.

Intel doesn't even need Sandy Bridge to compete with AMD. As soon as Otellini resumes his under-the-table bribes and threats to HP and other computer manufacturers, AMD will be kicked to the sidelines of the market again.

Cheating pays. Intel is the master.

Since Intel are pulling the douche one-socket-per-generation move, I'm going to wait until Sandy Bridge and Fusion hit the market to upgrade. Hopefully I can look forward to a socket that won't be obsolete the minute I buy it.