It's no secret Intel wants to return to the dedicated GPU market, but we were previously led to believe its plan would revolve around designing a GPU for data centers. Those plans, however, will be extended to the PC gaming space to compete with the duopoly of Nvidia and AMD by the year 2020.
Intel signaled their intent to re-enter the dGPU market for the first time in roughly 20 years with the hiring of former Radeon Technologies Group boss and chief architect Raja Koduri last December. For more proof, simply peek at the whopping 102 graphics-centric jobs the juggernaut chipmaker is hiring for.
The project, widely reportedly under the codename Arctic Sound, was originally conceived as a standalone project targeted at data centers. However, Motley Fool analyst Ashraf Eassa recently tweeted that Koduri is splitting Arctic Sound into two distinct parts:
Bonus: Apparently @Rajaontheedge is redefining Arctic Sound (first Intel dGPU), was originally targeted for video streaming apps in data center, but now being split into two: the video streaming stuff and gaming. Apparently wants to “enter the market with a bang.”
— Ashraf Eassa (@TMFChipFool) April 6, 2018
[Clarification: This technically won't be Intel's first dGPU. Its first was the Intel i740.]
Eassa confirmed this with multiple sources, and I spoke independently with a source of my own to back up this statement. I'm confident this is more than rumor and speculation.
We've seen recent efforts by Intel to paint a more positive picture of their graphics prowess (or lack thereof if we're being honest with each other), Kaby Lake G being a prime example. The flagship PC boasting that part, bolstered by AMD's integrated Radeon Vega graphics, can deliver 1080p gaming on Ultra settings in a system half the size of an Xbox One or PS4, blowing past Nvidia's GTX 1050 Ti (itself a dedicated gaming GPU) and AMD's recent Ryzen desktop processors with integrated Vega graphics.
Kaby Lake G also puts Intel's previous integrated HD graphics to shame, and that's an image the company surely wants the public to view in a different light over the next few years.
ExtremeTech's Joel Hruska offers more insight into Intel's history of integrated graphics and their ability to design dedicated GPUs here.
This revelation does call into question how long the unusual partnership between Intel and AMD will last. Right now incorporating Vega graphics into Intel's CPU lineup makes sense for both companies, but the presence of Koduri will allow Intel to both develop competitive gaming GPUs, and evolve their own integrated graphics solutions.
Koduri is currently working closely with Intel engineers to develop a longterm roadmap for graphics.
One thing I'm absolutely certain of: if you think about the impact of Nvidia's GeForce Partner Program on the competitive landscape, as well as AMD's weak GPU roadmap over the next couple years (do they have anything to combat Nvidia's Turing architecture this year?), there is no better time for a third competitor to crash the party.
Simply put, many inside and outside the industry are concerned that Nvidia is slowly and shrewdly shaping itself into a monopoly.
I will emphasize that none of this is confirmed by Intel (nor will they confirm it), but the whispers are pointing to a dedicated Intel gaming GPU near 2020. There's no question Intel has the cash, R&D resources and manpower to pull this off. The big question is how exactly they will "enter the market with a bang." It will take an outstanding product right out of the gate, aggressive and clever marketing, and healthy dose of patience.
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