integrated GPUs Archives

Winsage

February 17, 2025

These chips are no longer supported by Windows 11

Microsoft has released an updated support list for Windows 11 tailored for OEM systems with the introduction of the 24H2 update. This update officially supports new Intel processors, including the Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series, but excludes older Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation chips, including the Core i9-10900K. The exclusion of these processors aligns with Intel's strategy to transition older integrated GPUs to a legacy support model. AMD processors, including those from the Ryzen 8000 series, remain supported, though some models from the Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI families are missing. Existing systems with unsupported Intel processors can still install Windows 11 24H2 and receive updates, but the changes primarily affect OEMs launching new systems. Microsoft has also removed the official guide for installing Windows 11 without a TPM 2.0 check.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Intel releases new GPU driver with fixes for Minecraft and CoD Black Ops 6

Intel has released WHQL driver version 32.0.101.6314 for various graphics cards and processors with integrated graphics. The update addresses performance issues in applications like Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. Specific concerns include: - Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products: Performance in DaVinci Resolve Studio may not meet expectations on certain workloads. - Intel Core Ultra (Series 1 and 2) with built-in Intel Arc GPUs: - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may show texture corruption on water surfaces. - Minecraft Bedrock (DX12) may display texture corruption when altering anti-aliasing settings. Ongoing issues include: - Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products: - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may present darker shadows in specific campaign scenarios. - Topaz Video AI could encounter errors during video exports. - Topaz Gigapixel AI may experience intermittent crashes during exports. - Intel Core Ultra Series 1: - SPECworkstation3.1 might exhibit system instability. - PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio V19 may show intermittent errors. - DaVinci Resolve Studio v19.0 could face rendering issues. - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (DX12) may display flickering corruption. - Intel Core Ultra Series 2: - Adobe Premiere Pro may produce corrupted output videos after 8K AV1 encodes. - DaVinci Resolve Studio v19.0 may encounter rendering issues. - Star Wars Outlaws (DX12) may sporadically crash. The driver is compatible with 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11 and supports various Intel graphics products, including discrete and integrated GPUs. The driver can be downloaded from Intel's official website.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft halts Windows 11 24H2 update citing compatibility issues

Microsoft has postponed the rollout of its Windows 11 24H2 update due to incompatibility issues. Users are advised not to force the update as it may lead to bugs, crashes, performance degradation, freezes, and blue screens of death (BSOD). Safeguard holds have been implemented to prevent affected devices from receiving the update. Known issues include: - Asus X415KA and X515KA laptops experiencing blue screens, with updates paused until Asus releases a fix. - Voicemeeter audio management application causing blue screens; users can remove it or wait for an update. - Older versions of the Safe Exam browser are affected but can be fixed with a straightforward update. - Easy Anti-Cheat may cause blue screens for users with Intel Alder Lake processors and outdated drivers; updating is recommended. - Fingerprint sensors on certain devices may become unresponsive after being locked, with a firmware update expected to resolve the issue. - Wallpaper customization apps may lead to missing wallpapers and crashes; users should update these apps. - Intel Smart Sound Technology driver issues can cause blue screens, but only older versions are affected; updating is advised. - Asphalt 8 (Airborne) may freeze with the update; users can uninstall it to proceed or wait for a fix. - New Z890 motherboards are experiencing conflicts with the update, causing crashes and reboots due to issues between dedicated and integrated GPUs; users may need to disable integrated graphics in BIOS as a workaround. The situation raises questions about accountability and affects the reputation of Windows 11, with hopes for improvements by 2025.

Winsage

October 29, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 update disaster — it’s now crashing Intel motherboards

The Windows 11 version 24H2 update has caused significant issues for users, particularly those with Intel motherboards, leading to unexpected crashes. Reports indicate that Intel Z890 motherboards are primarily affected due to conflicts between dedicated and integrated GPUs. Additionally, complications have arisen with Western Digital SSDs. Users are automatically receiving these updates during system restarts or shutdowns, leaving them with limited options. Despite the widespread problems, there is no evidence of permanent hardware damage.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 issues just keep getting worse, with the new update now causing crashes on Intel motherboards

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has caused frequent crashes and unexpected reboots for users with Intel Z890 motherboards, attributed to a conflict between dedicated and integrated GPUs. Users from various manufacturers, including MSI and Gigabyte, are experiencing similar issues. To resolve the crashes, users are advised to disable integrated graphics in their motherboard BIOS. While the issue is inconvenient, it does not pose a risk of permanent hardware damage. Additionally, users have faced random Blue Screen of Death errors linked to Western Digital SSDs. Motherboard manufacturers are releasing urgent BIOS updates to address these problems.

AppWizard

October 28, 2024

10 brilliant PC games you can enjoy without a graphics card

Modern PC gaming faces criticism for high hardware requirements, making it inaccessible for some gamers. Many AAA games have frequent issues, but there are numerous engaging titles that can run on lower-spec systems, including laptops with integrated graphics. 1. The Red Strings Club (2018) - A narrative-driven indie game that runs smoothly on virtually any system. 2. Mirror's Edge (2009) - An innovative parkour game that performs well on integrated graphics. 3. Animal Well (2024) - A Metroidvania puzzle-platformer that requires minimal GPU power. 4. BioShock Infinite (2013) - A highly regarded game that runs well on systems with an 11th Gen Intel Core CPU. 5. Ultrakill (2020) - A retro-inspired FPS that runs smoothly on any computer. 6. Firewatch (2016) - A narrative-focused game that runs well on integrated graphics. 7. Rocket League (2015) - A multiplayer game that remains visually appealing even on lower settings. 8. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition (2013) - An accessible RPG that can run on GPUs with 256MB of VRAM. 9. The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series (2020) - A narrative-driven game with modest system requirements. 10. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (2014) - An action-adventure game that runs well on integrated GPUs from the last decade. Honorable mentions include Little Nightmares, Borderlands 3, Subnautica, Counter-Strike 2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Sid Meier's Civilization V (and VI), and FIFA 22.

Winsage

October 6, 2024

It’s official — Intel now holds the Windows battery life crown | Digital Trends

Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative and new chipsets are driving significant improvements in Windows computing, particularly in performance and battery life. Key chipsets include Qualcomm's Snapdragon X, AMD's Ryzen AI 300, and Intel's Lunar Lake, all featuring NPUs that exceed 40 tera operations per second (TOPS). AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 leads in CPU performance, especially in multi-core tasks, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite follows. Intel's Core Ultra 7 ranks lower but is more efficient. The Ryzen AI 9 has 12 cores and operates up to 5.1GHz, while Intel's Lunar Lake offers various configurations with a base TDP of 17-30 watts. Apple's M3 chipset remains a benchmark for performance and efficiency, particularly in thin-and-light laptops. In battery life tests, the Asus Zenbook S 14 excels, outperforming many competitors, while the Apple M3 continues to lead overall efficiency.

AppWizard

July 30, 2024

AMD just made big improvements with AFMF 2, a new version of its tech to make all PC games run more smoothly

AMD has introduced AFMF 2, an updated version of its Fluid Motion Frames feature aimed at improving frame rates in PC gaming, currently in technical preview. This version enhances image quality and includes a refined fallback mechanism to reduce jitter during fast movements. It utilizes AI to optimize frame generation, with an ‘auto’ setting in Search Mode that minimizes fallback occurrences at higher resolutions (1440p and 4K), but not at 1080p. AFMF 2 features a new ‘Performance Mode’ for integrated GPUs to lower overheads and maintain higher frame rates, while discrete GPU users can use the quality setting for better visuals. The feature now supports Vulkan and OpenGL games in addition to DirectX 11 and 12, allowing for borderless full-screen gameplay. Users can also enable AMD Radeon Chill to prevent frame rates from exceeding monitor refresh rates, reducing image tearing. AMD reports an average latency reduction of 28% during testing with Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K resolution and ‘ray tracing ultra’ settings. AFMF operates at the driver level and is designed to work with all PC games that support newer AMD graphics cards.

Winsage

July 6, 2024

We tested over a dozen laptops to see how Snapdragon compares to Intel, AMD, and Apple’s chips

Microsoft has been working on making Windows on Arm a viable platform for 12 years. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips are turning Windows on Arm into a competitive platform, with good performance in single-core and multicore benchmarks. The Snapdragon chips fall behind in GPU performance compared to Apple's M3 chip. The Snapdragon laptops offer longer battery life compared to Intel and AMD-based laptops. The Snapdragon Copilot Plus PCs are priced competitively and offer better performance and battery life for less money. Qualcomm's lead in Windows on Arm may be challenged by upcoming processors from Intel and AMD.

AppWizard

June 29, 2024

Tested: Don’t buy a Snapdragon X Elite laptop for PC gaming

- Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips come with integrated Adreno X1 GPUs, with varying performance levels. - Qualcomm's naming conventions for their chips can be confusing. - Intel provides integrated Arc graphics into some Intel Core Ultra chips, with varying performance levels. - Most PC games do not support Qualcomm's hardware, leading to issues with launching and playing games. - Qualcomm's Snapdragon X delivers a stable Windows software experience for everyday work applications, but struggles with PC games. - Intel Arc outperforms Qualcomm Adreno X1 in various game benchmarks, providing a more stable and playable experience. - Qualcomm's lack of support from PC game developers hinders its performance in gaming compared to Intel Arc. - Intel Arc is recommended for playing PC games on entry-level laptops over Qualcomm alternatives.