Scientists say silicon chips that power computers and games consoles have reached their peak in terms of speed and ability.

Now an international team of experts is working on a new breed that will allow game designers to create more complex, lifelike graphics.

The new chips could also lengthen battery life for mobile phones and digital cameras and increase the speed of computers.

The project, supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is the result of a £1.2m partnership between electronics specialists at Glasgow University and the US Semiconductor Research Corporation.

Lead researcher Professor Iain Thayne said: "A lot of computer games still feel very unrealistic and flat. What gamers want is to develop games that make you feel as though you are part of the synthesised world.

"It is the silicon chips installed in games consoles which are holding this development back and so by increasing the power of chips a whole new generation of computer games can be launched."

Games makers could get them within three years.