These are Intel’s first Iris Xe desktop GPUs

Intel is launching today its first Iris Xe desktop graphics cards. Originally named “DG1”, these new desktop GPUs are primarily intended for small to medium businesses and mainstream desktop computers. Intel is teaming up with Asus and other partners to sell these boards to system integrators who will bundle them with prebuilt systems.

Much like the Iris Xe Max graphics cards that debuted on laptops in October, these desktop GPUs aren’t really designed for gaming. Intel markets them as a way to improve what’s offered on traditional desktops, with better graphics, multi-display support, and improved hardware acceleration for some codecs.

The cards will include three 4K display outputs for multiple monitors, along with HDR support and AI capabilities. They will also support decoding of AV1 content and come with 4GB of video memory and 80 threads. Intel even offers adaptive sync support, so you’ll get a much smoother experience with higher refresh rate monitors with these cards.

While those initial cards weren’t designed to compete with Nvidia and AMD’s latest and greatest gaming cards, Intel is also working on its Xe-HPG architecture. It promises to be focused on high-performance gaming tasks and could usher in an era of Intel competing with AMD and Nvidia later this year.

The Iris Xe is also not Intel’s first attempt at a desktop GPU. Intel killed its Larrabee project 10 years ago and also launched its Intel i740 series in 1998. This is the first time in 20 years that we’ve seen Intel launch a desktop GPU, but you’ll have to wait a little longer. to see if Intel can really take on Nvidia and AMD.