Intel ARC: Compatibility and Performance in Retro Games

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Test System Specifications
3. OpenGL Classics Performance
4. Direct 3D 6 Games Compatibility
5. Ray Tracing Support and Patches for Old Games
6. Intel Arc Performance in Retro Games
7. Verdict on Intel Arc for Retro Games
8. Areas for Improvement
9. Conclusion
10. Resources

Introduction

In today's video, we will be testing the Intel Arc with some retro games. With support for modern games and features like DirectX 12 and Vulkan, the value that the Intel Arc provides is outstanding. We will be exploring its performance in games such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Strange Brigade, as well as testing the compatibility of older retro games like Dark Decks 6, 7, and 8 with OpenGL. Additionally, we will also be looking at games that have received Ray tracing patches, such as Doom, Quake, and Serious Sam. We'll also touch upon the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 when it comes to retro gaming. So, let's dive into this video and explore the exciting world of Intel Arc!

Test System Specifications

Before we delve further into the performance of the Intel Arc in retro games, let's take a look at the specifications of the test system used in this video. We would like to extend our gratitude to Devin from Intel, who made it possible for us to receive the Intel Arc A750 for testing purposes. The test system consists of an MSI Z590A Pro motherboard paired with an Intel i7-11700F CPU. To keep the CPU cool during the testing process, Arctic sent us the Freezer 7X CO CPU cooler. The system is equipped with a 32GB memory kit from Team Group, specifically the Vulcan set running at 3600 megahertz with CL18. In order to compare the performance of Windows 10 and Windows 11, we used a 2 terabyte Team Group SSD for Windows 11 and a Kingston SSD for Windows 10. Both operating systems were installed with the latest chipset drivers and graphics drivers (3959 from early December), which include the new Dark X9 improvements.

OpenGL Classics Performance

First, let's examine the performance of the Intel Arc in classic OpenGL games. Unfortunately, both GL Quake and Quake 2 failed to launch on the Intel Arc, whereas they run smoothly on Nvidia GeForce. However, Quake 3 runs just fine on the Intel Arc, although an interesting difference was noticed between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Under Windows 10, the GPU scaling works flawlessly, offering options for integer scaling and nearest neighbor scaling. However, this feature is broken under Windows 11, resulting in stretched images on the screen. This issue doesn't bode well for the visual experience of old games.

Moving on to DirectX 6 games, we tested Expandable 8. While it runs fine on Windows 98 with the ability to select resolutions, the GPU scaling feature is broken under Windows 11. As a result, some textures were not displayed correctly in games like Blood 2. Tomb Raider 2, which utilizes DirectX 7, was launchable on the Intel Arc but didn't allow resolution adjustments beyond 640 by 480. This limitation was not observed on Nvidia GeForce. On the other HAND, the racing game Insane worked well on the Intel Arc, requiring the GPU option to be set to TNL in order to function properly.

Next, we tested Thief 2, a Game known for its support of table fog. Unfortunately, we did not observe any fog rendering on the Intel Arc, although similar results were seen on the Nvidia card. This indicates that the issue may lie with the operating system or DirectX software. Additionally, we explored the potential of using the DXVA wrapper, which translates between DirectX and Vulkan. While Intel employs this technology in some games, we found that enabling DXVA did not fix every issue.

In summary, when it comes to OpenGL classics and DirectX 6 games, the compatibility of the Intel Arc is not on par with Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon. The lack of GPU scaling under Windows 11 and the presence of graphical errors in certain games indicate that there is still work to be done to improve compatibility and enhance the visual experience for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Direct 3D 6 Games Compatibility

Moving on, let's explore the compatibility of the Intel Arc in direct 3D 6 games. These games are quite old and are often favored by retro gaming enthusiasts. Within this category, some games worked well on the Intel Arc, while others encountered issues. For instance, Space was able to run at 1080p with all the details maxed out, and by using the DXVA wrapper, the game even achieved a locked 60 FPS. This result is excellent considering Space's previous bug with v-sync that caused it to run at half the refresh rate. However, it should be noted that the Intel v-sync toggle did not seem to work in old games.

Continuing our tests, we found that Crisis, a popular game, failed to launch on the Intel Arc regardless of whether we used the 32-bit or 64-bit DXVA dll files. On the other hand, Endlight ran smoothly on the Intel Arc, displaying no graphical errors. Additionally, the Intel Arc exhibited compatibility with 3Dfx games using the Glide API, allowing games like Unreal and Rune Gold to run without any issues.

While Sirius Sam: The First Encounter ran fine on the Intel Arc with both OpenGL and Direct 3D render options, we noticed some FPS drops, going below 60 FPS at times, which is surprising and should not happen in such an old game. Mafia, another title we tested, seemed to work well on the Intel Arc without any noticeable graphical errors.

Overall, the Intel Arc's performance and compatibility in direct 3D 6 games were mixed. Some games ran smoothly, while others encountered issues or experienced FPS drops. This indicates that there is room for improvement in terms of compatibility and performance optimization for retro games on the Intel Arc.

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