Intel Starts Shipping Xe LP-based DG1 Discrete GPU to OEMs; Locks it out of Other Systems
Intel has apparently begun shipment of its discrete Iris Xe LP-based DG1 graphics card to OEMs and system integrators, which means we will soon see these graphics cards hitting the market - in a manner of speaking. The quantities aren't yet known, but considering Intel's intentions of only shipping it to OEMs, volume shouldn't be quite significant. It remains to be seen whether DG1-toting systems will even be available to the general public, or if these will be sold primarily to business customers. However, considering that the discrete DG1 only offers entry-level performance due to its 80 EUs (less than even the 96 available through integrated graphics on Intel Tiger Lake CPUs), hopes placed on this particular graphics card as somewhat remedying the current industry ailment of undersupply won't materialize.
One interesting tidbit, however, is that system integrators will have to use specific hardware on the systems they build that carry Intel's DG1, as the blue giant has specified that these graphics cards will only work pending specific firmware updates that enable them to function on certain chipset and processor products. Namely, and according to Intel speaking to Legit Reviews, "The Iris Xe discrete add-in card will be paired with 9th gen (Coffee Lake-S) and 10th gen (Comet Lake-S) Intel Core desktop processors and Intel B460, H410, B365, and H310C chipset-based motherboards and sold as part of pre-built systems. These motherboards require a special BIOS that supports Intel Iris Xe, so the cards won't be compatible with other systems."
One interesting tidbit, however, is that system integrators will have to use specific hardware on the systems they build that carry Intel's DG1, as the blue giant has specified that these graphics cards will only work pending specific firmware updates that enable them to function on certain chipset and processor products. Namely, and according to Intel speaking to Legit Reviews, "The Iris Xe discrete add-in card will be paired with 9th gen (Coffee Lake-S) and 10th gen (Comet Lake-S) Intel Core desktop processors and Intel B460, H410, B365, and H310C chipset-based motherboards and sold as part of pre-built systems. These motherboards require a special BIOS that supports Intel Iris Xe, so the cards won't be compatible with other systems."