Intel’s New Desktop GPUs Won’t Work in AMD Systems

Intel released its first Iris Xe desktop graphics cards yesterday, but you won’t see them show up in AMD-powered systems. While Nvidia and AMD desktop GPUs typically run on a variety of Intel and AMD processors, Intel’s newer desktop GPUs are a bit more limited at the moment.

“The Iris Xe discrete expansion card will be paired with the 9th Generation (Coffee Lake-S) and 10th Generation (Comet Lake-S) Intel® Core ™ desktop processors and the Intel (R) B460, H410, B365 and H310C and sold as part of prebuilt systems, ”said an Intel spokesperson in a statement to Legitimate notices. “These motherboards require a special BIOS that supports Intel Iris Xe, so the boards will not be compatible with other systems.”

Image: Intel

The restrictions make more sense when you consider the target market for these early Intel desktop GPUs. Intel is working with Asus and other vendors to sell these boards to system integrators who will bundle them with prebuilt systems. These are not GPUs that you can simply order online, and they are meant to be specially bundled.

Intel’s idea with its initial Iris Xe desktop GPUs is simply to improve on what’s available on mainstream PCs today. Most standard business PCs come with integrated graphics, and Intel is trying to come up with something that improves multi-display support and hardware acceleration.

These cards are not designed to enhance the game or to be used in gaming platforms. Intel is also working on its Xe-HPG architecture which could eventually deliver cards capable of competing with AMD and Nvidia. Hopefully these cards won’t be limited to Intel systems in the same way.