Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak – DG1 is a software development card

Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak - DG1 is a software development card

Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak – DG1 is a software development card

Intel has started to send out its Xe-powered DG1 graphics cards to ISV (Independent Software Vendors) worldwide, paving the way towards the consumer launch of Xe graphics later this year with Tiger Lake.  

DG1 (Discrete Graphics 1) is what should be considered as a hardware prototype, acting as a “software development vehicle” for Intel’s Xe architecture, which will release with designs that scale from integrated graphics to high-powered, server-focused HPC models. DG1 marks the start of this journey. 

Guru of 3D has released several slides from Intel which detail the company’s Xe graphics architecture and revealed renders of Intel’s DG1 GPU design. Their article has since been deleted, but their images have already spread throughout the internet. PC Gamers should not expect Intel’s DG1 graphics card to ever release at retailers. 

Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak - DG1 is a software development card  
Looking at Intel’s DG1 graphics card, we can see that the unit is cooled by a single axial fan and that the graphics card features a PCIe x16 connection. The graphics card is a two-slot design and features a full-cover backplate and a metal shroud. 

Other images of the graphics card also show four display outputs. These outputs appear to be HDMI and DisplayPort, with the GPU offering what appears to be three DisplayPort connections and a single HDMI output. 

Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak - DG1 is a software development card  
Below we can see that Intel’s DG1 graphics card doesn’t feature any power inputs, which suggests that the graphics card is powered exclusively by its PCIe bus. This means that this graphics card cannot use more than 75W of power, making DG1 a low-power graphics card offering. 

For context, we will note that the highest-end Nvidia graphics card that is powered in this way is the Geforce GTX 1650. However, some GTX 1650 models also feature a 6-pin PCIe power connection for supplemental power. 

Intel Xe DG1 GPU Renders Leak - DG1 is a software development card  

You can join the discussion on Intel’s Xe DG1 graphics card on the OC3D Forums.Â