Top market research firm Jon Peddie Research (JPR) on Tuesday unveiled results of its preliminary research of the graphics cards market in the fourth quarter of 2004. The results showcase Intel Corp. and ATI Technologies leading the market, NVIDIA Corp. climbing and VIA Technologies and the rest losing their positions.

Desktops ?Led by Intel

According to the data provided by Jon Peddie Research, Intel Corp.'s market share in the graphics sub-systems market rose nearly 1 point in Q4 2004 to 40.2% in the Q4 2004. ATI Technologies?market share increased modestly to 27.6% in the Q4 2004, while NVIDIA Corp.'s share skyrocketed a bit less than 3 points to 18.6% from 15.9% in the third quarter of the year. VIA's share dropped more than 3% sequentially to 7.3%, SiS?share decreased to 5.7% from 6.9%. Matrox Graphics supplied 0.35% of graphics solutions. Companies like XGI Technologies and 3Dlabs provided 0.28% and 0.02% of graphics products in the Q4 2004 respectively.

Jon Peddie Research estimates that approximately 64.1 million PC graphics devices shipped from eight suppliers in Q4 2004, a 1.5% increase over the previous quarter and a 3.3% increase over the same period the previous year. The desktop graphics segment saw a 2.2% decline in quarterly shipments, but discrete desktop shipments increased 12.3% sequentially. Integrated desktop shipments fell 11.0% on a quarterly basis.

ATI Technologies maintained its lead in the discrete desktop segment, but by a narrower margin than in the third quarter, according to JPR. ATI's discrete desktop shipments increased 5.7% sequentially and its share in the segment fell from 55.1% in Q3 2004 to 51.9% in Q4 2004. In contrast, NVIDIA Corp.'s discrete desktop shipments increased 21.6% sequentially and its segment share grew from 43.2% to 46.7% during the same period.

Mobiles ?Led by ATI

A record 14.7 million mobile graphics processors shipped from six suppliers in Q4 2004, up 16.3% from the previous quarter and up 21.3% year-over-year. Mobile graphics also held a record 22.9% share of the total graphics market during the period.

?Although overall industry growth was modest in the fourth quarter, several segments and suppliers displayed strong performance. The mobile segment saw record shipments and share of the total graphics market, and discrete desktop shipments rebounded on increased shipments from both ATI and Nvidia. The only drag on the market was the desktop IGC segment, with shipments falling sequentially but growing year-over-year,?said Lisa Epstein, a senior analyst at Jon Peddie Research.

Shipments of integrated graphics chipsets for notebooks outpaced those of discrete mobile graphics processors in Q4?4, showing sequential growth of 21.5% and annual growth of 32.3%. Discrete mobile controller shipments grew at a more modest 10.5% sequentially and 10.2% year-over-year.

ATI was the largest supplier to the mobile segment in the fourth quarter, but with its share falling from 49.9% to 42.9% sequentially. ATI's loss of share came on increased shipments from Intel of integrated chipsets for notebooks and increased shipments from NVIDIA of discrete mobile graphics. NVIDIA Corp. grew its shipments of discrete mobile graphics more than 25% during the period and increased its segment share more than three points, from 22.6% to 25.7%. Intel grew its share in the mobile IGC segment more than seven points, from 64.7% to 71.8%.

Intel Corp., ATI, NVIDIA Boost Shipments

Intel saw a 6.2% sequential increase in graphics shipments in Q4 2004, was the largest supplier of PC graphics devices worldwide, and claimed an increased share of the total graphics market. ATI was the second largest supplier in Q4 2004 with 2.3% shipment growth and approximately flat share of the total graphics market.

NVIDIA was the third largest supplier in Q4 2004, with 18.1% shipment growth and increased market share.

More Details ?at Jon Peddie Research

Jon Peddie's Market Watch for Q4 2004 will be available in February 2005 in both electronic and hard copy editions. A condensed version of Market Watch, entitled First Look, is available now.

The annual subscription price for Jon Peddie's Market Watch is $2750 and includes four quarterly issues. The annual subscription price for First Look is $1000. Full subscribers to JPR services receive Tech Watch, the company's bi-weekly report and a copy of Market Watch as a part of their subscription.

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