Intel (Nasdaq:INTC), AMD (NYSE:AMD) Unveiling "Combination Chips"

Intel (Nasdaq:INTC) and AMD (NYSE:AMD) are going to unveil what is being called one of the more powerful advances in desktop and laptop technology in years: combination chips.

What it basically entails is combining microprocessors and graphics processing units, which have in the past been separated.

The Wall Street Journal said, "Putting the two technologies on one piece of silicon reduces the distance electrical signals must travel and speeds up some computing chores. It also lowers the number of components computer makers need to buy, cutting production costs and helping to shrink the size of computers. Such integrated chips are expected to allow low-priced systems to carry out tasks that currently add hundreds of dollars to the price of a personal computer, such as the ability to play high-definition movies and videogames and to convert video and audio files to different formats quickly."

Confirmation of the benefits of the chip aren't expected to be known until they're revealed at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show

Intel was trading at $20.76, down $0.08, or 0.36 percent, as of 12:57 PM EST. AMD was trading at $8.03, down $0.01, or 0.12 percent.