Intel Haswell iGPU to support DirectX 11.1, OpenGL 3.2

By Doug Crowthers
published

Intel Haswell's iGPU set to support DirectX 11.1, OpenGL 3.2 and OpenCL 1.2

On February 10th, a leaked slide showed Intel's tick-tock approach in full swing with the Haswell 22nm core-based processor, planned for 2013. With Ivy Bridge nearing release, we are now learning a little more about Haswell's integrated GPU (iGPU) from a leaked slide by Turkish website DonanimHaber.

Image Leaked by DonanimHaber

Haswell's iGPU will feature support for DirectX 11.1, which takes advantage of application programming interface (API) optimization to improve performance for users. DirectX 11.1 will be available with the release of Windows 8. Also, it will feature digital display repartition, where digital display ports are wired directly to the CPU and analog displays are handled by a Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter (RAMDAC) located in the Platform Controller Hub (PCH). With current Intel iGPUs, all display functions are handled by PCH over the Flexible Display Interface (FDI). This design change will help reduce any possible bottlenecks with higher resolution digital outputs while maintaining analog display quality.

In addition, it will support OpenGL 3.2 and OpenCL 1.2, which will improve performance in certain general purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) supported applications. The iGPU will feature new Auto-Stereoscopic 3D (AS3D), which will provide 3D support that is typically only available through the use of discrete GPUs. It will support up to three independent displays: HDMI 1.4, DVI, Display Port, VGA.

Please keep in mind, of course, that the information is from an unverified source by DonanimHaber. We won't know for sure until Intel shows its hand. Stay tuned!

Doug Crowthers
63 Comments Comment from the forums
  • fazers_on_stun
    Supposed to be 5X performance increase as well..
    Reply
  • alvine
    thats all nice but gamers will not use the integrated graphics, I'm just looking forward to faster processors :D
    Reply
  • fazers_on_stun
    9345965 said:
    thats all nice but gamers will not use the integrated graphics, I'm just looking forward to faster processors :D

    What I'm hoping for is that Haswell and the mobo chipset will be smart enough to switch between the IGP (low power consumption) and a discrete GPU depending on the GPU processing power needed for the job. IIRC a high-end discrete card still consumes lots of power when idle, or virtually so, in the case of browsing the web, etc where you don't need much GPU power anyway.

    I probably spend at least as much time browsing & other stuff as I do gaming.
    Reply
  • Netherscourge
    alvinethats all nice but gamers will not use the integrated graphics, I'm just looking forward to faster processors
    It's better than what's currently out there...

    And if my boss buys these for my company PCs, all the better ;)

    Reply
  • nukemaster
    While Intel onboard video is nothing special, it is improving at a very fast rate.

    The onboard is still more then a match for the every day use of many users(e-mail and facebook ect).

    I was more then impressed by how it handled video and other every day stuff.
    Reply
  • alvine
    fazers_on_stunWhat I'm hoping for is that Haswell and the mobo chipset will be smart enough to switch between the IGP (low power consumption) and a discrete GPU depending on the GPU processing power needed for the job. IIRC a high-end discrete card still consumes lots of power when idle, or virtually so, in the case of browsing the web, etc where you don't need much GPU power anyway. I probably spend at least as much time browsing & other stuff as I do gaming.

    I think thats already possible on Asus motherboards
    look up "LucidLogix Virtu"
    Reply
  • thor220
    It's getting really annoying how intel is slapping i on everything. We have ipads, iphohes, icarly, ipad, i-5, ect. Can they at least come up with something that makes it seem different.
    Reply
  • mikenygmail
    NetherscourgeIt's better than what's currently out there...And if my boss buys these for my company PCs, all the better
    Wrong, A8 is better and Intel sucks for graphics. This will be overpriced to boot!
    Reply
  • mikenygmail
    frozonici dont know about you guys but intel graphics is very decent for the average user, in fact, the sandy bridge GPU is better than a AMD 5450 or 6450, and i think that this gpu upgrade that will be implemented on ivy bridge is going to be really cool, i think intel should also be making high end and mid range gaming gpu´s. that, will add more competition to the GPU/PC sector and maybe...if done right.... better performance & lower power usage per dollar than AMD and Nvidia. intel FTW!
    Intel Integrated Graphics are a joke. Intel needs to raise pumper pay, and find better employees.
    Reply
  • mikenygmail
    alvinebetter performance & lower power usage per dollar than AMD and Nvidia. intel FTW!
    Wrong again, an A8 APU equipped gaming computer is far more powerful than any Intel CPU + GPU combination. The A8 is also far more efficient.
    Reply