Intel Recognizes Performance Issues with Arc GPUs on Older Processors; Investigation Underway

Intel is finally addressing the performance decline seen with Arc GPUs on older CPUs, marking a significant step towards a solution.

Intel Addresses Arc GPU Compatibility Problems

When Intel launched the Arc B580 and B570 GPUs, their specs seemed promising, especially with their substantial VRAM compared to competitors. However, despite this advantage, they struggled to make a mark in performance charts. A key reason many gamers steered clear of the Battlemage GPUs was due to poor optimization.

This issue stems not just from the Intel GPU drivers, but from a specific hindrance that left the Arc Battlemage GPUs lagging behind their peers. Early on, Hardware Unboxed highlighted the underwhelming performance of the Arc B580 when used with older processors like the Ryzen 2000 series and 9th generation Intel Core.

Until recently, Intel had not officially acknowledged or tackled this issue. At last, they’ve addressed it in public discussions, releasing the following statement:

We appreciate your patience. We’ve noted performance issues in some games with older processors. Our platform coverage has expanded to include more configurations during validation, and we continue to investigate optimization solutions.

The statement suggests Intel was aware but hadn’t prioritized optimizing performance. They’ve committed to broadening optimizations across various configurations, signaling that a fix is forthcoming. However, they didn’t specify when these improvements might roll out.

To remedy the situation, Intel will need to update their drivers. Their current hardware, evident in newer titles, matches that of last-gen rivals. Therefore, the noticeable performance issues with older Intel CPUs came as a surprise.

With upcoming patches, Intel may enhance its competitiveness against AMD and NVIDIA GPUs. Still, this doesn’t guarantee a surge in market presence. The Intel Arc Battlemage line remains rare on the shelves, and this scarcity continues to exclude them from competing in the budget GPU sector.

Information courtesy of Intel.