Intel Iris Xe desktop GPUs start shipping but you can’t get them; won’t run on AMD systems

Intel is all set to take on Nvidia and AMD with its desktop Graphics cards (GPUs) in 2021. According to a new report, the first set of Intel Iris Xe desktop GPUs have started shipping out to OEMs. Computer hardware giants Asus and Colorful have started sending the first Xe Graphics-based Add-In Board (AIB) cards. This first Intel desktop GPU is based on the DG1 GPU chip and features the Intel Iris Xe branding. Looking at the AIB cards, Colorful has added a dual-fan cooler on the GPU. The mean-looking design is enough to convey that Intel means business in the GPU space. Let’s check all the details regarding the first set of Intel Iris Xe GPUs here.

Intel Iris Xe desktop GPUs out but they are not meant for casual users, details

Looking back, these Intel Iris Xe AIB cards are the first desktop GPUs that Intel has launched in 20 years. However, these first DG1 GPUs are not meant for gaming. Instead, the company is aiming at small and medium-sized businesses, and mainstream desktops. As mentioned above, Asus and Colorful are shipping out the GPUs to system integrators that can add these cards to pre-built systems. So, anyone planning on an assembled, all-Intel gaming ring will need to wait. However, all-Intel gaming rigs or computer systems from OEMs are likely just weeks away.

This is not the first Intel Iris Xe-based product to hit the market. As noted in the past, the company has already launched its Iris Xe MAX graphics cards back in October 2020. But unlike the new desktop GPUs, the Xe MAX GPUs were meant for laptops. Both, the new desktop GPUs as well as the Xe MAX GPUs for laptops are not meant for aimed towards gaming. One can play the latest AAA video games on these cards, but Intel is focusing on improved graphics, multi-display support, and hardware acceleration.

Feature-wise, the AIB cards will come with support for three 4K displays, HDR, and some AI magic. The Intel Iris Xe desktop GPUs will also come with support for AV1 decoding, 4GB video memory, and Adaptive Sync. These cards come with 80 execution units and the company is working on its Xe-HPG (High-Performance Gaming) architecture. Instead of the current Xe and Xe MAX offerings, the company will push the Xe-HPG cards to take on Nvidia and AMD.

These GPUs won’t work with AMD desktop chips

Another report surfaced online stating that the new Intel desktop GPUs will not work with AMD CPUs. The company shared this with Legit Reviews in a statement. Intel stated that it will pair its Iris Xe desktop GPUs with 9th gen, and 10th gen Intel Core desktop processors. The GPUs will also need B460, H410, B365, and H310 chipset-based motherboards along with the processors. This also means that it won't be able to run on older Intel chips or other Intel motherboards. These new GPUs need a “special BIOS” to function, so they won’t work with “other systems”. Considering that the first set of AIB cards are only meant for OEMs, it won’t matter to general gamers.