Intel has revealed the specifications for Xe HPG GPUs - should Nvidia be worried?

Intel has revealed the specifications for Xe HPG GPUs - should Nvidia be worried?

Last week, we were hoping that Intel would find some clues from the scavenger hunt to learn more about the Xe HPG graphics card. Now, Intel has accidentally made things easier by publishing a number of references on its website.

Twitter user @Komachi_Ensaka (via Videocardz) discovered that the card could be found on the Intel.com homepage, searching for "DG2" (working code name: Discrete Graphics 2) and finding information I was able to do so. While no further information is available without logging in, a summary of the locked pages revealed some interesting information for those looking for alternatives to Nvidia and AMD cards.

First, Intel seems to have inadvertently identified several discrete graphics cards with execution units (EU) ranging from 96 EU to 512 EU. The more execution units, the faster the card will be, and for comparison, 512EU would be up to 4096 cores, meaning that this mystery card could theoretically offer performance similar to AMD's Radeon RX 6700 XT. Of course, limited clues about the Xe HPG's architecture make it difficult to know whether actual performance will be better or worse.

Overall, the document names seem to indicate five laptop GPUs (96, 128, 256, 384, and 512 EU) and two desktop cards (512 EU). Multiple listings suggest 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, and 16GB memory configurations, depending on the SKU, suggesting that Intel is targeting all budgets.

No release date is given, but there is a reference to Tiger Lake H laptops, which suggests that the first Xe HPG will be available this year; given Intel's control over many Intel Evo certified laptops, it is likely that Intel will first test the mobile chipset, it certainly makes sense to test it on a chipset, which would allow the GPU to debut in the most performance-friendly conditions.

Market conditions may work in the company's favor. While many may prefer to stick with what they know in Nvidia and AMD GPUs, the graphics card shortage is well known and has made them nearly impossible for gamers to obtain. Even used cards fetch high prices on eBay, partly due to their superior performance in cryptocurrency mining.

If the shortage continues for the foreseeable future, more gamers may be motivated to challenge Intel--especially if future benchmarks prove that the Xe HPG is a serious contender.

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