Monday, April 10th 2023

Intel Formally Retires the Gen 9 Graphics Architecture Powering "Skylake" iGPU

by
btarunr
 Discuss (7 Comments)
Intel Graphics formally retired the Gen 9 graphics architecture that powered iGPUs found in the company's 6th Gen Core processors. The company continues support for the Gen 9.5 architecture that powers 7th thru 10th Gen processors. With up to 24 EU (execution units), the iGPU provided basic display that met Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 WHQL logo requirements, and supported Direct3D DDI up to API level 11_0. This "retirement" means that Intel Graphics will no longer provide regular driver updates, but relegate support for a much lower update cadence that only ticks when there are critical security or stability issues to fix. The last regular driver for these iGPUs is version 31.0.101.2115.

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7 Comments on Intel Formally Retires the Gen 9 Graphics Architecture Powering "Skylake" iGPU

#1
Solaris17
Super Dainty Moderator
They have been making moves in their attempt to unify the mobile and arc driver package. Obsolescence aside I wouldn’t doubt if this was also done as another step in that direction.
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#2
GoldenX
And so it dies, the last Intel architecture with functional compute shaders.
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#3
Luke357
Solaris17They have been making moves in their attempt to unify the mobile and arc driver package. Obsolescence aside I wouldn’t doubt if this was also done as another step in that direction.
At this point though, the drivers for the Skylake IGP are probably very mature and I seriously doubt that anyone wants or needs updates for them anyway. As long as nothing breaks this is good for everyone.
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#4
Solaris17
Super Dainty Moderator
Luke357At this point though, the drivers for the Skylake IGP are probably very mature and I seriously doubt that anyone wants or needs updates for them anyway. As long as nothing breaks this is good for everyone.
My thoughts exactly.
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#5
R-T-B
GoldenXAnd so it dies, the last Intel architecture with functional compute shaders.
Arc compute shaders aren't functional?
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#7
Unregistered
6th thru 10th Gen processors - already became Legacy in late 2022 (which means they're releasing only maintenance drivers every 4 months or so - even tho - officially was suppose to be around 3 months). Now the Legacy part is just 7th thru 10th Gen - while 6th is strictly security bound (if somehow they'll also managed to breach the iGPU... among the few things left to breach from Intel hardware - since their software including BIOS security features - is already the equivalent of Swiss cheese in terms of vulnerabilities).
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