Graphics chip manufacturers enjoyed an excellent third quarter as shipments of the
processors rose by more than 20 per cent. A record high of almost 120 million units were shipped in the third quarter, representing a 21.2 per cent increase on the previous quarter. The figure also exceeded the 111 million unit shipment record set in the same quarter of 2008.
It proved an excellent quarter for
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and
Intel, who both extended their market share. Intel now enjoy a 52.7 per cent market share, up from 51.1 per cent, while AMD’s market share rose from 18.4 per cent in the second quarter to 19.8 per cent.
Nvidia didn’t enjoy such a good quarter, seeing their market share fall from 29.2 per cent to 24.9 per cent, but remain ahead of AMD.
The rising popularity of
netbook PCs has been cited as a major factor in the improving figures, while the sale of
laptops offers
graphics chip manufacturers a steady stream of demand. Integrated graphics in
notebooks, including laptops and
netbooks, rose by 27 per cent on the previous quarter.
Analysts have warned that fourth quarter shipments may not be as strong as the third quarter, or at least won’t experience such a vast increase again.