With 40+ years of experience in computer industry, SPARKLE is launching a series of graphics cards based on the recently launched Intel Arc GPU for edge and provide longevity support up to 5 years.

SPARKLE graphic cards feature high-efficiency AI, visual computing and media processing. GPU cards from SPARKLE are edge-focused form factors with long life and optimizations for embedded use conditions and improves development and operating efficiency based on an open ecosystem by leveraging AI inferencing software, OpenVINO which automatically distributes workloads across CPU and GPU. SPARKLE has prepared and showcased the full series of SPARKLE Intel Arc graphics cards targeted for the edge, based on Intel Arc A750E, A580E, A380E, A310E, A370E and A350E GPUs. These graphics cards come solid longevity support up to 5 years.

SPARKLE unveiled its low-profile series around mid-January—this lineup included an Intel Arc A380 GENIE dual-fan/dual-slot model and an Arc A310 ECO (single-slot, single-fan config) card. Compact device expert/YouTuber, ETA Prime, has uploaded a fascinating video that covers a modification project that involved a hybridization of SPARKLE's latest low-profile graphics cards and a Minisforum MS-01 test system. SPARKLE has released various models based on Intel's "Alchemist" Arc A380 6 GB GPU, but their PCB design is shared across a range of cooling options. ETA Prime could not source an aftermarket lower-profile cooler for his SPARKLE A380 GENIE, so he resorted to cannibalizing the A310 ECO model for relevant parts.

The ECO's single-slot cooling solution was not well proportioned enough to make contact with the SPARKLE A380 GENIE's VRM, so ETA Prime had to "add an aftermarket heatsink." He sold the remaining unneeded pieces—A310 board and GENIE cooler—to a friend for $60. The resultant hybrid—the "world's first-ever single-slot Intel Arc A380"—was bunged into the SFF Minisforum MS-01 test system. Notable specs included the Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and 32 GB of DDR5-5200 RAM. ETA Prime utilized Acer's Predator BiFrost graphics card utility to "trick" in a stable 54 W power limit. 60-ish FPS performance results—with low-to-medium settings at 1080p across a selection of games—were promising, especially for a restrictive small form factor build. ETA Prime hopes that SPARKLE will launch a smaller A380 model in the future—alternatively a specialist firm could produce a nice aftermarket copper part.

SPARKLE is announcing the low-profile series: SPARKLE Intel Arc A380 GENIE graphics and SPARKLE Intel Arc A310 ECO graphics. Both graphics cards come as low-profile configurations with 1x HDMI and 2x mini-DP video outputs, a free additional short bracket in the box, and are packed with Intel Arc technologies. Advanced technologies include AI-enhanced Intel Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) for higher image quality and performance, DirectX 12 Ultimate support including hardware-accelerated ray tracing, full AV1 hardware encode and decode for the latest multimedia support, and Intel Deep Link Technologies for exclusive platform advantages combining Intel Core processor and Intel Arc graphics.

These cards are ready to fit into any magic lamp and make gaming wishes come alive! Furthermore, SPARKLE has built an exclusive Intel Arc A310 by successfully reducing the TBP (total board power) of the Intel Arc A310 from Intel's default 75 W to 50 W, providing the best balance of features, technologies and experiences in a small but advanced form-factor.

ASRock has rather silently introduced a low-profile Arc A310 graphics card. This entry-level Intel Arc graphics card is based on the ACM-G11 GPU with 6 Xe Cores. Interestingly, it uses the same low-profile dual-slot cooler with two small fans, just as the previously introduced low-profile Arc A380 graphics card.

Obviously aimed at entry-level small form factor configurations, as well as any other scenario when you need a low-profile graphics card, the ASRock Arc A310 comes with 4 GB of 15.5 Gbps GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit memory interface. The GPU is clocked at standard 2,000 MHz, and it does not need any power connectors as its Total Board Power (TBP) is set at 75 W. The ASRock A310 Low Profile features one DisplayPort 2.0 with DSC and one HDMI 2.0b output, as well as 0 dB Silent Cooling feature, which means that the fans won't spin up under light workloads. The ASRock A310 Low Profile 4 GB has yet to appear in retail/e-tail.

An MSI Arc A310 4 GB Low Profile 2X graphics card is now available to purchase at a couple of Russian PC hardware retailers (for roughly $140), and a local YouTuber has already produced a quick unboxing video. Intel's board partners have been sluggish in adopting lower-end Alchemist GPU variants, with only a handful of companies bothering to produce cards based on the Arc A310 (DG2-128).

Sparkle displayed an unnamed super compact model at Computex 2023, and presentation slides have recently revealed that their "Industrial Low-Profile" series will be introduced under the GENIE moniker, comprised of single slot/fan A310 and A380 variants. Sparkle has not outlined a possible Western release for these budget cards, and other manufacturers have been reluctant to move beyond the Chinese OEM market. The Gigabyte A3 series is reportedly a Russian market exclusive for the moment, so it will be interesting to see if MSI is only targeting that territory with its competing dual fan design Arc A310 4 GB Low Profile model.

Intel expanded its Arc "Alchemist" desktop graphics card series with the entry-level Arc A310. This GPU has specs that enable Intel's AIB partners to build low-profile graphics cards that are possibly even single-slot, or conventional sized with fanless cooling. The A310 is being pushed as a slight upgrade over the iGPU, and an alternative to cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 6400. Its target user would want to build a 4K or 8K HTPC, or even be a workstation/HEDT user with a processor that lacks integrated graphics, and wants to use a couple of high-resolution monitors. There is no reference board design, but we expect it to look similar to the Arc Pro A40 in dimensions (pictured below), except with full-size DP and HDMI in place of those mDP connectors, and a full-height bracket out of the box.

The A310 is carved out of the 6 nm "ACM-G11" silicon by enabling 6 out of 8 Xe Cores (that's 96 out of 128 EUs, or 768 out of 1,024 unified shaders). You also get 96 XMX units that accelerate AI; and 6 ray tracing units. The GPU runs at 2.00 GHz, compared to 2.10 GHz on the A380. The memory sub-system has been narrowed by a third—you get 4 GB of 15.5 Gbps GDDR6 memory across a 64-bit wide memory interface. In comparison, the A380 has 6 GB of memory across a 96-bit memory bus. The card features a PCI-Express 4.0 x8 host interface, and with its typical power expected to be well under the 75 W-mark, most custom cards could lack any power connectors.

The creator of RivaTuner/MSI Afterburner has recently posted a picture of a pre-production Intel Arc graphics card which could potentially be the entry-level A310. The low-profile single-slot card is pictured alongside the 34 cm long MSI RTX 3090 Ti SUPRIM where it is easily half the length at approximately 16 cm which is in the same range as some GeForce GTX 1630 and Radeon RX 6400 cards.

The Intel Arc card is designed for developers featuring a small dual-fan cooling solution with a shroud that might have been 3D printed. This is the first Intel Arc device to feature such a low-profile design with other ACM-G11 based cards from Intel and board partners often featuring dual-slot designs with larger single or dual fan setups.