Intel today unveils its first Iris Xe graphics card. Originally codenamed “DG1”, these new desktop GPUs are primarily aimed at small and medium sized enterprise and mainstream computers. Intel is working with Asus and other partners to sell these cards to system integrators who will integrate them with pre-built systems.
Like the Iris Xe Max graphics cards that launched on laptops in October, these desktop GPUs are not really designed for gaming. Intel is marketing it as a way to improve what is being offered on regular desktop computers, with better graphics, support for multiple screens and improved hardware acceleration for certain codecs.
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The cards feature three 4K screen outputs for multiple monitors, along with HDR support and AI features. They also support the decoding of AV1 content and are equipped with 4 GB of video memory and 80 output units. Intel even offers Adaptive Sync support, so you will have a much smoother experience with higher refresh monitors with these cards.
While these initial cards are not designed to compete with Nvidia and AMD’s latest and greatest games, Intel is also working on its Xe-HPG architecture. It promises to be focused on high-performance gaming tasks, and it could usher in an era of Intel competing with AMD and Nvidia later this year.
The Iris Xe is also not Intel’s first attempt at a desktop GPU. Intel scrapped its Larrabee project ten years ago, and it also launched its Intel i740 series back in 1998. This is the first time in 20 years that we have launched Intel a desktop GPU, but you have to wait a little longer to see if Intel can really take on Nvidia and AMD.