Intel May Be Readying up to 32 Arc Alchemist GPU Models

Intel
(Image credit: Intel)

According to a new driver release, Intel may be prepping as many as 32 Arc Alchemist discrete GPU models for desktops and laptops. The number may indicate that Intel will offer a rather broad family of standalone GPU offerings aimed at various applications. 

Intel's graphics drivers v30.0.101.1002 for integrated and standalone GPUs indicate that Intel has reserved as many as 32 PCI IDs for its DG2 family of discrete graphics processing units set to be marketed under the Arc Alchemist brand, LaptopVideo2Go revealed (via VideoCardz). A PCI ID typically represents a separate product or a SKU (stock keeping unit). 

Intel's official artwork for its Arc Alchemist family of discrete GPU only depicts two processors. This could mean Intel plans to release two graphics chips (a big and a small one) and offer them in different configurations (or it may mean Intel's designers decided to show two chips without any meaning). Making 32 distinct products using two graphics processors may not be common, but it's possible. 

Intel's official documents leaked earlier this year reveal that the company was working on GPUs with five configurations featuring 96 EUs, 128 EUs, 256 EUs, 384 EUs and 512 EUs based on the Xe-HPG architecture. However, this week it transpired that Intel was looking at an Arc GPU model with 448 EUs.  

At this point, it is unclear which GPU models are aimed solely at notebooks and which can be used both for desktops and laptops. Mobile GPUs tend to be available with different TGPs, so a GPU with 256 EUs can be offered with three different clocks and TGP settings and therefore be identified with three different PCI IDs. Furthermore, Intel intends to position its Xe-HPG-based GPUs for client PCs, workstations, and even servers, so the number of discrete GPU products it plans to offer with its DG2 GPU family will indeed be significant. Whether Intel will indeed offer 32 different standalone GPU SKUs next year is something that remains to be seen.  

To put the number of DG2 models into context, right now, the company only offers three discrete Xe-LP-based GPUs: the Iris Xe Max with 96 execution units (EUs) for notebooks, the Iris Xe discrete GPU with 80 EUs for desktops, and the Server GPU with 96 EUs for servers (primarily used for streaming Android games).

Intel DG2 PCI IDs:
-------------------------
%INTEL_DEV_4F80% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F80
%INTEL_DEV_4F81% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F81
%INTEL_DEV_4F82% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F82
%INTEL_DEV_4F83% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F83
%INTEL_DEV_4F84% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F84
%INTEL_DEV_4F85% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F85
%INTEL_DEV_4F86% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F86
%INTEL_DEV_4F87% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F87
%INTEL_DEV_4F88% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4F88
%INTEL_DEV_5690% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5690
%INTEL_DEV_5691% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5691
%INTEL_DEV_5692% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5692
%INTEL_DEV_5693% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5693
%INTEL_DEV_5694% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5694
%INTEL_DEV_5695% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5695
%INTEL_DEV_5696% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5696
%INTEL_DEV_5697% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5697
%INTEL_DEV_5698% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_5698
%INTEL_DEV_56A0% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A0
%INTEL_DEV_56A1% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A1
%INTEL_DEV_56A2% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A2
%INTEL_DEV_56A3% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A3
%INTEL_DEV_56A4% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A4
%INTEL_DEV_56A5% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A5
%INTEL_DEV_56A6% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A6
%INTEL_DEV_56A7% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A7
%INTEL_DEV_56A8% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A8
%INTEL_DEV_56A9% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56A9
%INTEL_DEV_56B0% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56B0
%INTEL_DEV_56B1% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56B1
%INTEL_DEV_56C0% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56C0
%INTEL_DEV_56C1% = iDG2D_w10_DS, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_56C1

Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

  • InvalidError
    So... possibly 32 more SKUs nobody can buy retail for a reasonable price!
    Reply
  • Krotow
    Arc RTX3070 analog most likely will have MSRP around 600$, but in reality will be priced 2 times above that. And 3 times above that in Europe.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    It might also be just planning ahead for the next 2-3 generations.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    TerryLaze said:
    It might also be just planning ahead for the next 2-3 generations.
    To me, it seems improbable that Intel would lump next-gen hardware with a block of old-gen PCI IDs.

    Between different memory sizes (4/8GB, 6/12GB, 8/16GB, etc.) for a given GPU trim, possibly different VRAM speed grades and other feature trims, it wouldn't be too hard to burn through 32 IDs.
    Reply
  • Neilbob
    Only 32?

    They must be limiting the product segmentation for their GPUs :)
    Reply
  • dk382
    It would be helpful to mention how many Ampere and RDNA2 PCI IDs there are. A lot of people may take the wrong thing away from this story.
    Reply
  • Chung Leong
    Just noticed that Intel's vendor id is 8086 :)
    Reply
  • Chung Leong
    dk382 said:
    It would be helpful to mention how many Ampere and RDNA2 PCI IDs there are. A lot of people may take the wrong thing away from this story.

    There're 61 Ampere devices, not counting cards with GA100. Quite a few are engineering samples.

    2200
    GA102
    2204
    GA102
    2205
    GA102
    2206
    GA102
    2208
    GA102
    220d
    GA102
    2216
    GA102
    222b
    GA102
    222f
    GA102
    2230
    GA102GL
    2231
    GA102GL
    2235
    GA102GL
    2236
    GA102GL
    2237
    GA102GL
    223f
    GA102GL
    228b
    GA104 High Definition Audio Controller
    2302
    GA103
    2321
    GA103
    2420
    GA103M
    2482
    GA104
    2483
    GA104
    2484
    GA104
    2486
    GA104
    2487
    GA104
    2488
    GA104
    2489
    GA104
    248a
    GA104
    249c
    GA104M
    249d
    GA104M
    249f
    GA104M
    24a0
    GA104
    24ac
    GA104
    24ad
    GA104
    24af
    GA104
    24b0
    GA104GL
    24b6
    GA104GLM
    24b7
    GA104GLM
    24b8
    GA104GLM
    24bf
    GA104
    24dc
    GA104M
    24dd
    GA104M
    2501
    GA106
    2503
    GA106
    2504
    GA106
    2505
    GA106
    2520
    GA106M
    2523
    GA106M
    252f
    GA106
    2560
    GA106M
    2563
    GA106M
    2583
    GA107
    25a0
    GA107M
    25a2
    GA107M
    25a4
    GA107
    25a5
    GA107M
    25af
    GA107
    25b5
    GA107GLM
    25b8
    GA107GLM
    25e0
    GA107BM
    25e2
    GA107BM
    25e5
    GA107BM
    Reply
  • guru7of9
    Yep only 32 !
    Probly only 4 actual different chips, but as per always can make 32 out of 4 !
    Reply
  • gargoylenest
    with the gpu shortage, there is no real possibility of them to fail, even is their product was total garbage.
    Reply