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Intel launches a discrete GPU
https://www.anandtech.com/show/16210/intels-discrete-gpu-era-begins-intel-launches-xe-max-for-entrylevel-laptops
Basically, they took the integrated GPU in Tiger Lake, made a separate, smaller chip without the CPU, and called it a discrete GPU. Intel is pitching this as a competitor to Nvidia's MX350, which is basically a laptop version of a desktop GeForce GTX 1050. And yes, that means it's a laptop part. You can't get it in a desktop, but that's okay because you wouldn't want to, anyway.
Intel is claiming that they will launch a higher end GPU for desktops later. This isn't it. But it is their first discrete GPU launch since 1998, so it's progress of sorts. Maybe.
Basically, they took the integrated GPU in Tiger Lake, made a separate, smaller chip without the CPU, and called it a discrete GPU. Intel is pitching this as a competitor to Nvidia's MX350, which is basically a laptop version of a desktop GeForce GTX 1050. And yes, that means it's a laptop part. You can't get it in a desktop, but that's okay because you wouldn't want to, anyway.
Intel is claiming that they will launch a higher end GPU for desktops later. This isn't it. But it is their first discrete GPU launch since 1998, so it's progress of sorts. Maybe.
Comments
What AMD did with GCN and to an extent VLIW was have a common architecture for both consumers and professionals that improved with iterations. RDNA may be a departure from this to a more consumer focused architecture.
But they can't do it alone. They need support - and that is exactly where management comes in.
If you mismanage the organization, the ship sinks. If marketing can't sell the product. If exces don't get engineering the pay and benefits to stick around. If HR allows a toxic workplace to exist. If the janitors don't take out the trash...
Like you said, it does take an entire organization to make it all work.
And Intel has had a pretty famously bad management team as of late.
This particular product is to serve the ultralight and ultrathin laptop market that also requires discrete GPU level power. I have no idea who that would be... but I guess their prayers have now been answered. I'm wondering how close the R4000 APUs from AMD come to this (which are still Vega architecture based) - those were already pretty darn close to MX350 level performance.
And the 5000 series APUs are around the corner, with all new RDNA2 graphics cores in the IGP.