Thursday, May 2nd 2013
Intel Brands Haswell GT3 "Iris", Desktop Variants Planned
With its 4th generation Core "Haswell" processors, Intel is putting in a serious effort to improve integrated graphics (IGP) performance to catch up with AMD's Radeon HD 8600 series on its latest APUs. There are three classes of Intel IGPs for Haswell, the GT1, which features 10 execution units (EUs), and will feature on entry-thru-mainstream Pentium, Core i3, and Core i5 chips; GT2, which features 20 EUs, featuring on mainstream-thru-performance Core i5 and Core i7 chips; and GT3, a large 40-EU IGP, which uses an L4 eDRAM cache. Chips with GT3 graphics are multi-chip modules (MCMs) of the CPU die and this eDRAM due, as detailed earlier. It was earlier believed that Haswell chips with GT3 graphics cores will be confined to notebook and Ultrabook-specific CPU models, but it turns out that it will make an appearance on the desktop platform as well.Intel is carving out three further variants based on the GT3 IGP silicon, probably based on clock speeds. The top variant is named Intel Iris Pro 5200, the next one Intel Iris 5100, and the last Intel HD 5000. GT2-based IGPs follow an Intel HD 4600/4400/4200 nomenclature. Desktop processors with GT3 graphics will get the -R brand extension, for example, Core i7-4770R. These chips will probably lack unlocked base-clock multipliers of the -K chips, could feature different CPU clock speeds, and interestingly, feature lower overall chip TDP than the -K chips. The i7-4770R, for example, is rated at just 65W, compared to the 84W of the i7-4770K. Merely being on the desktop platform doesn't mean the chips will be "DIY" or based on the LGA1150, we won't be surprised if the chip comes in BGA packages, which are soldered to motherboards.
Source:
TechReport
22 Comments on Intel Brands Haswell GT3 "Iris", Desktop Variants Planned
But that would mean that R variants need a different mother board socket! Perhaps this is where the BGA story comes in.
Questions questions!
Next up... AMD APU with Cornea™ Graphics!
NVidia Geforce Pupil™ GPU
How f**ked up is the idea of the name Iris when you have AN INTEL GRAPHICS BASED HTPC CALLED IRIS
Though on a second thought, i wonder if Apple will file a lawsuit against Intel for using their idea of naming things...
So, we have to choose between unlock multiplier and GT3?
Figured it would take Intel 3-4 gens to catch up but AMD has plenty of Radeon cores they can throw in it. The PS4 shows that they aren't limited to midrange GPUs for APUs. Course that is Jaguar cores not Piledriver. But really even if they did stay with midrange. When the performance gap with shared VRAM is taken away those APUs will be looking even better.
Eventually Intel will need competitive GPU designs which they have the money to invest in. Will be interesting to see where the market goes. I don't think it'll do away with GPUs, but it'll certainly do something for raising the low end. Unfortunately bring about more appliance computers. Oh the horror Apple is going to bring about on the PC world and the massive load of e-waste it will eventually create.
www.nextpowerup.com/news/1204/macbooks-with-intel-haswell-cpus-coming-this-summer.html
Either way, what's the difference between workstation P4700 and P4600? Also, is HD 5000 w/ 40 EUs? Then if so, what's the difference between it and HD 5100?
Hmmm... looking at the LV chart... I'd say Kabini, especially the 25W version, has a very big chance of outpacing Intel's 28W chip without a sweat.