Just ahead of the weekend, seasoned PC hardware benchmarks leaked Tum Apisak shared a tantalizing tweet which revealed some purported performance rankings of yet to be released DG2 graphics cards from Intel. Based upon the Xe-HPG graphics architecture, targeting PC gamers, two GPUs were highlighted by Apisak – one with 448 and another with 128 execution units (EUs).
Before going any further, it is important to point out that Apisak hasn't provided any indication of what benchmark(s) he is basing these scores on. Of the comparison graphics cards selected, HEXUS reviewed the Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT Nitro+ in March, multiple GeForce RTX 3070 / Ti graphics cards, and several GeForce GTX 1650 / Super cards.
Relative benchmark performance
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT: 100%
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070: 97%
- Intel DG2 448EU @ 1.8GHz: 92%
----------------
- Intel DG2 128EU @ 1.9GHz: 100%
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650: 88%
The above are interesting results for a number of reasons. Firstly, this is the first mention of an Intel DG2 packing 448EUs. Previously we heard that the top end DG2 would be a full fat GPU with 512EUs. This part joins expected DG2 cards with 256 and with 128EUs.
The Intel DG2 448EU @ 1.8GHz is seen to be about eight per cent behind AMD's RX 6700 XT, and only five per cent behind Nvidia's RTX 3070. It isn't at all certain what clocks would be possible with this graphics card, perhaps it could be overclocked to reach above its competitors, given adequate cooling – we simply have to experience of the DG2 to base expectations on though.
Meanwhile, at the other end of Intel's upcoming DG2 offerings the 128EU GPU offers a worthwhile upgrade on the GTX 1650, with 12 per cent improvement in the benchmark used. This looks like it will be therefore behind the GTX 1650 Super, which is 30 to 35 per cent faster than its suffix-less sibling.
These benchmarks might give PC enthusiasts and gamers hope for a boost to GPU supplies. However, there are lots of unknowns about DG2, let alone its games/app and drivers support. It is likely to be Q4 before any Intel DG2 graphics cards emerge, and traditionally the top-end parts arrive first, though the area of the greatest need that I see is in the affordable to mid-range – with the DIY market still waiting for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050/Ti and AMD Radeon RX 6600/6500 GPUs.
