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If Intel provides as much Linux driver support as they do for their current integrated graphics lineup, we might have a new favourite among Linux users.

by jeswin 5y ago

stormbrew 5y ago
This is the main reason I'm excited about this. I really hope they continue the very open approach they've used so far, but even if they start going binary blob for some of it like nvidia and (now to a lesser extent) amd have at least they're likely to properly implement KMS and other things because that's what they've been doing already.
jogu 5y ago
Came here to say this. This will be especially interesting if there's better support for GPU virtualization to allow a Windows VM to leverage the card without passing the entire card through.
- modeless 5y ago
  This would be worth buying one for. It's super lame that foundational features like virtualization are used as leverage for price discrimination by Nvidia, and hopefully new competition can shake things up.
r-bar 5y ago
They also seem to be the most willing to open up their GPU sharding API, GVTG, based on their work with their existing Xe GPUs. The performance of their implementation in their first generation was a bit underwhelming, but it seems like the intention is there. If Intel is able to put out something reasonably competitive and that supports GPU sharding it could be a game changer. It could change the direction of the ecosystem and force Nvidia and AMD to bring sharding to their consumer tier cards. I am stoked to see where this new release takes us. Level1Linux has a (reasonably) up to date state of the GPU ecosystem that does a much better job outlining the potential of this tech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUS1W7Ifys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUS1W7Ifys
kop316 5y ago
This was my thought too. If their linux driver support for this is as good as their integrated ones, I will be switching to Intel GPUs.
heavyset_go 5y ago
Yep, their WiFi chips have good open source drivers on Linux, as well. It would be nice to have a GPU option that isn't AMD for open driver support on Linux.
dcdc123 5y ago
A long time Linux graphics driver dev friend of mine was just hired by Intel.
holoduke 5y ago
Well. Every single AAA game is reflected in GPU drivers. I bet they need to work on windows drivers first. Sure they need to write tons of custom driver mods for hundreds of games.
Nexxxeh 5y ago
With the Steam Deck coming out, running Linux in a high-profile gaming device with AMD graphics, hopefully it'll turn into a mild Linux GPU driver arms race. AMD and Valve are both working on improving Linux support for AMD hardware, GPU and CPU.

If Intel provides as much Linux driver support as they do for their current integrated graphics lineup, we might have a new favourite among Linux users.

by jeswin 5y ago

If Intel provides as much Linux driver support as they do for their current integrated graphics lineup, we might have a new favourite among Linux users.

stormbrew 5y ago

This is the main reason I'm excited about this. I really hope they continue the very open approach they've used so far, but even if they start going binary blob for some of it like nvidia and (now to a lesser extent) amd have at least they're likely to properly implement KMS and other things because that's what they've been doing already.

jogu 5y ago

Came here to say this. This will be especially interesting if there's better support for GPU virtualization to allow a Windows VM to leverage the card without passing the entire card through.

modeless 5y ago
This would be worth buying one for. It's super lame that foundational features like virtualization are used as leverage for price discrimination by Nvidia, and hopefully new competition can shake things up.

r-bar 5y ago

They also seem to be the most willing to open up their GPU sharding API, GVTG, based on their work with their existing Xe GPUs. The performance of their implementation in their first generation was a bit underwhelming, but it seems like the intention is there. If Intel is able to put out something reasonably competitive and that supports GPU sharding it could be a game changer. It could change the direction of the ecosystem and force Nvidia and AMD to bring sharding to their consumer tier cards. I am stoked to see where this new release takes us. Level1Linux has a (reasonably) up to date state of the GPU ecosystem that does a much better job outlining the potential of this tech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUS1W7Ifys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUS1W7Ifys

kop316 5y ago

This was my thought too. If their linux driver support for this is as good as their integrated ones, I will be switching to Intel GPUs.

heavyset_go 5y ago

Yep, their WiFi chips have good open source drivers on Linux, as well. It would be nice to have a GPU option that isn't AMD for open driver support on Linux.

dcdc123 5y ago

A long time Linux graphics driver dev friend of mine was just hired by Intel.

holoduke 5y ago

Well. Every single AAA game is reflected in GPU drivers. I bet they need to work on windows drivers first. Sure they need to write tons of custom driver mods for hundreds of games.

Nexxxeh 5y ago

With the Steam Deck coming out, running Linux in a high-profile gaming device with AMD graphics, hopefully it'll turn into a mild Linux GPU driver arms race. AMD and Valve are both working on improving Linux support for AMD hardware, GPU and CPU.