We were promised to have the first discrete Intel Xe based graphics cards in 2020. Originally developed by Raja Koduri and his team, the Xe GPU is a new graphics architecture that will support Intel’s next-generation discrete and integrated graphics solutions in desktops, notebooks, workstations, and server-based (HPC/AI) products.
Intel Xe Vs. Nvidia & AMD?
The rumor once again comes from chiphell user “wjm47196”, who announced some important details about the Intel Xe GPU next year. The first thing he points out is that the progress on the Intel Xe GPU isn’t going well.
Here’s what’s said about Intel Xe:
- The progress on the Xe GPU is not good.
- Ponte Vecchio HPC GPU may only come on the market in the next 2 years (2022).
- The efficiency of the Xe GPU is very low compared to the competition (Nvidia-AMD).
- There is no support for AIB at startup, only reference models for discrete graphics cards sold by Intel.
- Drivers need a lot of time to improve.
- The first iteration of Xe GPUs will be presented on Tiger Lake CPUs scheduled to arrive next year, together with discrete graphics solutions expected in late 2020 under Chris Hook, former head of graphics marketing at Intel.
It is further noted that the efficiency of the Intel Xe GPU architecture is currently relatively low and cannot be easily compared with NVIDIA GPUs or even AMD’s current GPUs based on 12 nm or 7 nm nodes. Intel Xe GPUs for consumer solutions can be based on 14 nm or 10 nm processes, but Intel has not confirmed this yet.
At the moment we know that it will be available in Tiger Lake processors manufactured in 10 nm. We will keep you informed.