- It is rumored that Intel Nova Lake S desktop processors use two separate IGPU architectures
- According to reports, XE3 will be used for graphic work loads, while XE4 will be used for media related tasks
- It could be another sign of processors with powerful IGPUS replacing the discrete budget GPUs
AMD and Intel are on the front line that fight in the CPU market for mobile and desktop platforms, and the next Nova Lake Blue processors can offer a single and rare architecture configuration.
As reported by WCCFTECH, Intel Nova Lake S desktop processors will have an IGPU Hybrid architecture, using XE3 for graphics and XE4 for the screen and media related tasks, according to the reliable leak @jaykihn0 in X. The rumor suggests that Intel tries to use the potential of Xe3 in the graphic potential, while Xe4 could be essential.
It will be interesting to if Nova Lake S processors will have the same effect as Ryzen Ai Max de AMD (which are actively reaching desktop systems), in terms of their IGPU capabilities. In particular, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 provides great performance both in 1080p and in 1440p in games and Cyberpunk 2077.
Anyway, if this rumor is legitimate, it seems that Team Blue is taking a great step with the power of the GPU in all areas, especially with the rumors of a new arc B770 16GB GPU. He also raises the question once again; If Nova Lake S and Panther Lake provide an excellent IGPU performance for desktop and mobile platforms, respectively, could we see the discrete ending principle?
ANALYSIS: Maybe it’s almost the end of budget discreet GPUs …
Now, we pump the brakes here. There is almost no way that any soc or IGPU can match high -end GPUs such as RTX 4090 or RTX 5080, at least not in the short term.
However, we already have the strongest APU of AMD that has surpassed people such as RTX 4060 and even RTX 4070 in some game scenarios, so at least, I think the discreet GPUs of low budget level are in danger.
Perhaps the only factor that will save them is that they are really budget GPU, but the proposal of a PC without a discreet GPU that occupies space can be tempting for players.
It is worth noting that Strix Halo Apus was reserved for laptops and other mobile platforms, but gradually they have reached desktop computers, specifically present in mini-PC compilations.
Nor is it any secret that some of the budget GPUs such as the RTX 5060 (based on the reviews), are not good enough for consumers with their 8 GB settings, so if the desktop processors, soc or APU de AMD can continue to coincide or overcome them, I would not be surprised to see a decent part of the discreet GPU of low alternative to fade away …
