Intel Previews Graphics Cards With New Concept Image

Here's what Intel's upcoming graphics cards might look like. At GDC, the company briefly showed a concept rendering, depicting the outer casing for an Intel-made discrete GPU.

The design is called "Dragon scale" and features a silver metal aesthetic. Of course, the company's final product may look very different from the concept image. Intel decided to preview the rendering with the goal of gathering input from gamers, developers and PC enthusiasts during an Intel-sponsored event at GDC.

The chipmaker is playing around with different casing materials and colors for its discrete GPUs, and may tease other renderings in the future, said Chris Hook, marketing director for the company's Visual Technologies. One intention with this particular rendering is to produce a design different from other graphics cards on the market.

The concept image comes as Intel is trying to build up hype for its dedicated graphics cards, which are slated to launch in 2020. It's been inviting input from gamers and PC enthusiasts both online and off.

At GDC, the company held its first-ever community gathering for its graphics card business. During the event, a few other graphic card renders were shown, however, they were fan-created designs.

Unfortunately, no new information was offered about the technical specs for the GPUs or what might they might cost. But the event did have a surprise guest: Intel's new CEO Bob Swan. He made a brief speech, in which he admitted he wasn't a gamer.

"But look, what I do know — even though I'm not a gamer— is I know how important gamers are to Intel," he said. "I am here to simply listen, to learn, and to kind of start my own journey with this community about how we can get better to serve and work with you."

Last August, Intel also teased what the company's graphics cards might look like with a video. However, the preview only showed the card's silhouette.

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