20 Intel ARC GPU IDs Listed in Upcoming Linux Mesa Driver Update

Intel still has a lot to reveal about its upcoming lineup of ARC Alchemist GPUs later this year, but a Linux Mesa driver update has revealed a few more clues as to how many products we can expect. expectation. As discovered by Phoronix, Intel’s open source Linux graphics driver developers have revealed plans to support 20 different models, although that doesn’t necessarily mean we should expect as many options.

We know that Intel plans to release desktop and mobile for its first wave of graphics cards, but 20 different device IDs sounds like a tall order. The list can include technical samples, low-end variants, models that are not guaranteed to release, and of course mainstream gaming-grade entries for sure like the rumored 512 execution unit model. will challenge Nvdia’s RTX 3070 series.

Looks like Intel doesn’t have anything important related to ARC to show at CES 2022, it’s still unclear if the graphics cards will still launch in Q1 this year. But Intel is at least sampling GPUs for laptop makers, which is a good sign of progress. However, graphics cards are complex components, so it would be better if Intel decided to speed up the launch and get things right at both the hardware and driver levels. Since the company also plans to cater to Linux users, this seems like an all-out effort by Intel to attract as many new users as possible and continue to support them. As long as it has the supply to meet the demand.

Many people may turn Blue, but only time will tell

Considering Intel’s introduced ARC GPU features such as Deep Link (similar to Resizable-BAR and Smart Access Memory), Xe Super Sampling optimization, and DX12 Ultimate, we could soon see a second big player. three involved in the graphics card space. Intel will still have to cut its own work on it, especially since it’s up against AMD and Nvidia, which have been consistently supporting graphics cards since Intel struggled about a decade ago.

There is also the question of whether Intel can keep up with the next generation of products from its competitors. We could see the next generation of graphics cards later this year, but we simply won’t know until launch when the verdict is out.

Either way, 2022 will be an interesting year in the graphics card industry. Supply problems are expected it’s finally easy, new generations may emerge and competition may eventually return and help prices finally begin to normalize.