Intel Releases Their First Discrete Desktop GPU

Graphics processors aren’t exactly new to Intel. There’s a good chance that if you’ve ever bought a budget PC or laptop, it comes with Intel’s onboard graphics, which admittedly aren’t exactly very good for hardcore gamers, but they are usually good enough to get the job done, for the most part.

However, it seems that Intel is now diving into the world of discrete GPUs as the company has since released the Intel Iris Xe. For those unfamiliar, Intel teased their upcoming GPU back at CES 2020, and it looks like the GPU is finally ready for the market. Intel won’t actually be making the GPU themselves, but rather the company will be teaming up with manufacturers like ASUS.

This is pretty standard because companies like AMD and NVIDIA also rely on other manufacturing partners, like ASUS, to help produce their GPUs. However, before you get too excited at seeing another prospective competitor in the GPU scene, Intel’s Iris Xe GPUs aren’t really designed for gaming, but rather they’re designed to improve what’s already available, essentially putting them a step above onboard graphics.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it means that computer makers can include these GPUs to allow for support for multiple 4K monitors, HDR support, AI, decoding AV1 content, Adaptive Sync, and more. At the moment, the Intel Iris Xe isn’t available for consumers to purchase just yet as a standalone GPU, but maybe that could change in the future.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Computers
Tags: Intel