Intel might be preparing two DG2 GPUs.
Intel DG2 with up to 512 Execution Units?
Intel DG2 is the upcoming graphics processor that is supposedly based on Xe-HPG architecture. Last year Intel announced that its gaming-oriented discrete Xe-HPG series will be introduced in 2021. The manufacturer has not confirmed the exact date, nor did we learn any official specifications of the new graphics cards. However, it seems that it is only a matter of time before we see DG2 in action, as Intel recently provided an update claiming that the GPU has taped out.
Intel DG2 GPUs are to be manufactured by an external foundry, Intel confirmed back in August. The manufacturer did not confirm which foundry would receive orders on DG2 wafers, but it is rumored that the DG2 GPU might be manufactured by TSMC in a 6nm process technology.
The DG2 is a gaming discrete GPU that might initially launch for next-generation laptops. Previous rumors have suggested that the GPU might feature either 128 or 384 Execution Units. There were even rumors about a 960 EU variant, but as soon as we posted the story, the leaker requested his name to be removed, putting a lot of doubt on the claim.
It appears that confirmation on a possible SKU variant has just been shared by Intel themselves. In the latest 100.9126 GPU driver, one file has commented lines on two DG2 Device IDs, basically confirming their configurations.
A 128 EU version would therefore feature 1028 Shading Units while the 512 EU model would be equipped with 4096 cores. How would such a configuration compete with NVIDIA Ampere and AMD RDNA2 architecture, is it too early to call.
Intel DG2 listed by new Graphics Driver, Source: Intel
Both device IDs have already been known since Intel Graphics System Firmware Update Library (IGSC FUL) had already listed DG2 (Xe-HPG), Arctic Sound (Xe-HP ATS), and Ponte Vecchio (Xe-HPC PVC) IDs:
Intel DG2 Device ID, Source: Intel
Intel DG2
There were numerous leaks on the DG2 GPU already. Last month, the 128 SKU variant of the DG2 GPU has been discovered on the Geekbench benchmark website, however, judging from the score it was clearly an early engineering sample that was even slower than integrated Xe-LP graphics featuring fewer EUs.
We have also seen possible memory configurations of the DG2 GPU. A datasheet posted by Uniko’s Hardware appears to confirm that the GPU is being planned for the upcoming high-end gaming notebooks. Intel is not expected to launch its Tiger Lake-H CPUs till the second quarter of this year, which could potentially pinpoint the launch date of the DG2 GPU.
Upcoming product featuring Tiger Lake-H, Alder Lake-P, and Intel DG2 graphics, Source: Uniko’s Hardware
Intel Xe-HPG product positioning and fabrication node, Source: Intel
Intel DG2 shipment date
Source: Intel, Intel IGSC
Many thanks to u/stblr for the tip!
