• Intel’s Nova Lake S desktop processors are rumored to make the most of two separate iGPU architectures
• Xe3 will reportedly be used for graphic workloads, whereas Xe4 might be used for media-related duties
• It might be one other signal of processors with highly effective iGPUs changing funds discrete GPUs

AMD and Intel are on the frontlines battling it out within the CPU marketplace for cellular and desktop platforms, and Workforce Blue’s upcoming Nova Lake processors might supply a novel and uncommon structure setup.

As reported by Wccftech, Intel’s Nova Lake S desktop processors will reportedly characteristic a hybrid iGPU structure, utilizing Xe3 for graphics and Xe4 for show and media-related duties, in accordance with the dependable leaker @jaykihn0 on X. The rumor means that Intel intends to make the most of Xe3’s full potential in graphical workloads, whereas Xe4 might be important for energy effectivity.

Will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not the Nova Lake S processors may have the identical impact as AMD’s Ryzen AI Max processors (that are actively making their approach to desktop methods), by way of their iGPU capabilities. Notably, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 offers nice efficiency at each 1080p and 1440p in video games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Regardless, if this rumor is authentic, it seems to be like Workforce Blue is taking an enormous stride with GPU energy throughout the board, particularly with rumors of a brand new Arc B770 16GB GPU. It additionally raises the query as soon as once more; if Nova Lake S and Panther Lake each present nice iGPU efficiency for desktop and cellular platforms, respectively, might we be seeing the start of the top for discrete GPUs?

Evaluation: Perhaps it is nearly the top for funds discrete GPUs…

Now, let’s pump the brakes a little bit right here. There’s nearly no means any SoC or iGPU will have the ability to match high-end GPUs just like the RTX 4090 or RTX 5080, at the least not any time quickly.

Nonetheless, we have already received AMD’s strongest APU that has surpassed the likes of the RTX 4060 and even the RTX 4070 in some gaming eventualities – so on the very least, I feel funds low-end discrete GPUs are in peril.

Maybe the one issue saving them is that they’re certainly funds GPUs, however the proposition of a PC with no discrete GPU taking on area could also be a tempting one for avid gamers.

It is price noting that Strix Halo APUs have been reserved for laptops and different cellular platforms, however have steadily made their approach to desktops, particularly current in mini-PC builds.

It is also no secret that among the funds GPUs just like the RTX 5060 (primarily based on critiques), aren’t ok for customers with their 8GB configurations – so if desktop processors, SoCs, or AMD’s APUs can proceed to match or outperform them, I would not be stunned to see a good portion of low-end discrete GPUs fade away…

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• Intel’s Computex 2025 Panther Lake demos showcase energy effectivity focus – and in addition trace at sturdy gaming efficiency
• Intel is seemingly making ready an enormous Battlemage GPU reveal at Computex 2025 – and it is anticipated to be a higher-end providing
• Intel’s Arc B770 GPU might go head-to-head with Nvidia’s RTX 5060 – and it is anticipated to be revealed at Computex