Why You Should Consider Intel Arc A770 & A750 Graphics Cards

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Dominance of Intel in the Processor Market
3. The Rise of AMD and the Need for Change
4. Intel's Entry into the Desktop Graphics Card Market
5. The Performance and Pricing of Intel’s ARK A770 and A750
6. Energy Efficiency and Cooling Performance
7. Gaming Performance and Compatibility
8. The Importance of API Support and Ray Tracing
9. Intel's Unique Features: XeSS and AV1 Encoder
10. The Future of Intel's Graphics Cards
11. Conclusion

Introduction

In the world of computer hardware, Intel has long been a dominant force in the processor market. Their x86 architecture revolutionized desktop processors in 1978 and made them the go-to choice for gamers and professionals alike. However, as the saying goes, "monopoly breeds complacency." Intel's lack of competition led to stagnation in their product offerings, reluctance to adopt new technologies, and high prices. This opened the door for AMD to step in and capture the market's attention with their Ryzen processors.

With the success of their processors, AMD sought to challenge Intel in a new arena – desktop graphics cards. While Intel had previously attempted to compete in this market, their efforts had been unsuccessful. Nevertheless, they gained recognition for their integrated graphics, which were commonly found in affordable laptops. It’s important to note that integrated graphics and dedicated desktop solutions are two different things.

To become a true competitor to the likes of AMD and NVIDIA, Intel had to do a lot. They had to carefully develop their architecture, ensure stable drivers (especially for older titles), create their own gaming software, and, of Course, offer competitive pricing. It wasn't until August 2021 that Intel announced their entry into the graphics card market with the ARK branding. Each generation would be named after character classes from popular role-playing games such as Alchemist, Druid, and Battle Mage. Intel promised Red Racing support on par with the performance of an RTX 370, all at an attractive price point.

Excitement grew among gamers, many eagerly anticipating the release of Intel's graphics cards. After all, the shortage of GPUs had left consumers hungry for alternatives that didn't require selling a kidney. However, the current situation is quite different. The purchase of a good graphics card is no longer as challenging as before. Intel released their first gaming GPUs, the ARK A770 and A750, about a month ago. This raises the question: Who needs these graphics cards, and do they even matter to anyone? The harsh truth is that Intel's first generation of graphics cards simply cannot compete in the current market. Especially when compared to the formidable competition from AMD and NVIDIA. Intel must have known this would be a long and difficult journey. They will lose a significant amount of money in the process, as initially, no one wants to buy a product that is essentially an unknown quantity. Except, perhaps, for some enthusiasts.

But if we dig a little deeper, we can see that the situation is not so clear-cut. Intel has a few tricks up their sleeve. Firstly, the ARK graphics cards are primarily optimized for modern APIs, supporting DX12 and Vulkan. In games that utilize these APIs, the performance of these cards often rivals that of the RX 6600 and RTX 360. However, when it comes to older titles, especially those from 2019 and earlier, the performance can be disappointing. It becomes evident that the problem lies with the outdated APIs. These cards require modern systems with up-to-date processors to truly shine. Otherwise, it's like buying a Ferrari and driving it on gravel roads.

Another aspect to consider is the ray tracing support. Intel's ARK cards excel in this area, often outperforming the competition in games such as Control and Metro Exodus. They provide a highly immersive gaming experience, but only if the game supports these features. It's essential to have the proper support in place; otherwise, your frame rate in some games could be so low that you'll be tempted to slash your wrists.

Intel has also introduced a technology called XeSS, which is comparable to DLSS in terms of performance. It offers excellent image quality while delivering a lower frame rate. This is particularly appealing to streamers as it reduces the load on the system while maintaining video quality. Additionally, the AV1 encoder, the most advanced and efficient encoder at Present, is an impressive feature. It produces superior image quality compared to traditional video encoding methods. Intel's AV1 encoder has even been hailed as better than NVIDIA's offering. However, its usefulness is limited, as currently, it is only supported on Intel's ARK cards and the upcoming RTX 490.

There is no denying that Intel's first foray into the gaming graphics card market has been underwhelming. The performance figures are not too impressive, particularly in older games, due to the limitations of outdated APIs. The drivers and software have been somewhat unstable with reports of various bugs from reviewers. Despite these setbacks, Intel remains committed to improving their products and regaining their position in the market. They have announced the names of future generations of graphics cards and have stated their intentions to fix and enhance their drivers. In the end, it remains to be seen whether Intel can establish itself as a worthy competitor to AMD and NVIDIA. It's a tough and challenging task, but with determination, it may just become a reality.

The Dominance of Intel in the Processor Market

Intel has been a dominant force in the processor market for many years. Their x86 architecture, invented in 1978, laid the foundation for modern desktop processors. Intel's processors became the go-to choice for gamers and professionals alike. Their reputation as a reliable and powerful brand made them the default option for anyone building a computer. However, this dominance also led to complacency, as Intel had no direct competition for a long time.

Pros:

• Intel's x86 architecture revolutionized desktop processors.
• Their processors are known for being reliable and powerful.
• Intel's dominance in the market made them the default choice for many consumers.

Cons:

• Monopoly led to complacency and a lack of innovation.
• The absence of competition resulted in high prices and stagnation in product development.
• Lack of choice and variety in the processor market.

The Rise of AMD and the Need for Change

Despite Intel's dominance, AMD managed to gain attention with their Ryzen processors. These processors provided a viable alternative to Intel, offering competitive performance at a lower price point. AMD's success challenged Intel's monopoly in the market and forced them to reconsider their strategy. The rise of AMD demonstrated the importance of competition and innovation in driving progress in the industry.

Pros:

• AMD's Ryzen processors offered competitive performance at a lower price point.
• The competition from AMD forced Intel to reevaluate its strategy.
• The rise of AMD highlighted the need for innovation and competition in the market.

Cons:

• Intel was caught off guard by AMD's success and had to play catch-up.
• Intel faced challenges in trying to regain market share from AMD.

Intel's Entry into the Desktop Graphics Card Market

Seeking to expand its product offerings, Intel made a bold move by entering the desktop graphics card market. Historically, Intel had focused on integrated graphics solutions, which were commonly found in affordable laptops. However, they saw an opportunity to compete with AMD and NVIDIA by developing their own dedicated graphics cards. This move marked a significant shift in Intel's strategy and signaled their desire to be a major player in the gaming industry.

Pros:

• Intel's entry into the graphics card market provided consumers with more options and competition.
• Dedicated graphics cards offered greater performance and capabilities compared to integrated graphics solutions.
• Intel's move into the gaming industry showed their commitment to innovation and expansion.

Cons:

• Intel faced the challenge of establishing itself as a credible competitor to AMD and NVIDIA, who had already established a strong presence in the market.
• Building a reputation in the graphics card market was a daunting task for Intel.

The Performance and Pricing of Intel’s ARK A770 and A750

Intel's first-generation graphics cards in the ARK series are the A770 and A750. These cards were announced with promises of performance comparable to the RTX 370, all at an attractive price point. However, the reality is that these cards fail to compete with their counterparts from AMD and NVIDIA. The performance figures are underwhelming, particularly in older games that rely on outdated APIs. This limitation could be attributed to the focus on optimizing the cards for modern APIs, such as DX12 and Vulkan. As a result, games that utilize these APIs demonstrate more promising performance.

The pricing of the ARK A770 and A750 is another critical factor to consider. The A770 is priced around $300-400, while the A750 is priced around $290. Many reviewers and bloggers recommend the A750 due to its lower price and comparable performance to the A770.

Pros:

• The ARK A770 and A750 offer performance comparable to AMD and NVIDIA alternatives in games utilizing modern APIs.
• The pricing of the ARK A770 and A750 is competitive compared to other graphics cards in the market.

Cons:

• The performance of the ARK A770 and A750 is underwhelming, particularly in older games that rely on outdated APIs.
• The pricing of the ARK A770 and A750 may not be attractive enough for consumers to choose them over established competitors.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling Performance

Energy efficiency and cooling performance are crucial factors to consider when evaluating graphics cards. In terms of energy efficiency, the ARK A750 consumes nearly 240 watts, which is significantly higher than the RX 6600 and more than twice the power consumption of the RTX 360. The A770, on the other HAND, consumes slightly more power than the A750. These power consumption figures imply that both ARK cards are not particularly energy-efficient compared to their competition.

When it comes to cooling performance, the ARK A770 and A750 do a decent job. Both cards maintain temperatures around 67-70 degrees Celsius. However, it's worth noting that these cards rely on hot air rather than liquid cooling, which can limit their cooling capabilities under heavy loads.

Pros:

• The cooling performance of the ARK A770 and A750 is satisfactory, with temperatures staying within reasonable limits.
• These cards are designed for air cooling, making them suitable for systems without liquid cooling setups.

Cons:

• The energy efficiency of the ARK A770 and A750 is relatively poor compared to their competition.
• The reliance on air cooling may limit the cooling performance under heavy loads.

Gaming Performance and Compatibility

Gaming performance is a crucial aspect when considering graphics cards. In games that utilize modern APIs, such as DX12 and Vulkan, the ARK A770 and A750 can deliver commendable performance. They can often match or outperform the RX 6600 and RTX 360 in these titles. However, when it comes to older games that rely on outdated APIs, the performance can be disappointing. The cards struggle to keep up, and frame rates can be significantly lower compared to their competition. This issue highlights the limitations of the ARK cards when it comes to compatibility with older games.

Pros:

• The ARK A770 and A750 offer commendable gaming performance in titles that utilize modern APIs.
• These cards can provide an immersive gaming experience in newer games, matching or even surpassing their competition.

Cons:

• Gaming performance in older games that rely on outdated APIs is underwhelming, with significantly lower frame rates compared to their competition.
• Compatibility with older games may be limited, impacting the overall gaming experience for some users.

The Importance of API Support and Ray Tracing

API support is crucial for graphics cards, as it determines which features and technologies they can utilize in games. The ARK A770 and A750 excel in ray tracing, often outperforming their competition in games such as Control and Metro Exodus. Their ray tracing capabilities enable a more realistic and visually immersive gaming experience.

However, it's worth mentioning that proper API support is essential for optimal performance. For example, games like Assassin's Creed Unity, without support for technologies like Resizable BAR, may suffer from significantly lower frame rates on these cards. Therefore, proper API support plays a vital role in ensuring the best gaming experience.

Pros:

• The ARK A770 and A750 offer excellent ray tracing performance, surpassing their competition in some games.
• Ray tracing capabilities contribute to a realistic and visually immersive gaming experience.

Cons:

• Proper API support is critical for optimal performance, and games without this support may suffer from significantly lower frame rates.
• Limited API support may impact Game compatibility and functionality.

Intel's Unique Features: XeSS and AV1 Encoder

Intel's ARK cards come with unique features that differentiate them from their competitors. One of these features is XeSS, which is Intel's answer to NVIDIA's DLSS technology. XeSS offers similar performance benefits, providing high-quality images while maintaining lower frame rates. This is particularly useful for streamers as it reduces the strain on the system while still delivering excellent video quality. Additionally, Intel's AV1 encoder is considered the most advanced and efficient encoder available. It produces superior image quality compared to traditional video encoding methods and even rivals NVIDIA's offerings. However, the utility of these features is limited, as XeSS support is currently only available for Intel's ARK cards, and the AV1 encoder requires support from applications and platforms.

Pros:

• XeSS technology offers similar performance benefits to NVIDIA's DLSS, providing high-quality images with lower frame rates.
• The AV1 encoder on Intel's ARK cards produces superior image quality compared to traditional video encoding methods.

Cons:

• XeSS support is currently limited to Intel's ARK cards, limiting its overall utility.
• The availability and adoption of the AV1 encoder are dependent on third-party applications and platforms.

The Future of Intel's Graphics Cards

Intel's entry into the gaming graphics card market is just the beginning of what they hope to be a successful endeavor. While the current generation of ARK cards may not have met expectations, Intel remains committed to improving their products and regaining their position in the market. They have already announced the names of future generations of graphics cards and have expressed their intentions to enhance and optimize their drivers. Intel is determined to establish itself as a credible competitor to AMD and NVIDIA, and with time and effort, they may realign the balance of power in the gaming industry.

Pros:

• Intel is committed to improving its graphics cards and enhancing the user experience.
• The announcement of future generations demonstrates Intel's long-term plans and commitment to the market.

Cons:

• The success of future Intel graphics cards remains uncertain, as they face strong competition from established players in the market.
• Overcoming the setbacks of the first generation could be a challenging task for Intel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Intel's entry into the gaming graphics card market with the ARK A770 and A750 is a bold move to challenge AMD and NVIDIA's long-standing dominance. While the initial offerings may not have lived up to expectations, Intel has shown determination to improve their products and regain market share. The ARK cards offer promising performance in games that utilize modern APIs and feature impressive ray tracing capabilities. However, they fall short in older games that rely on outdated APIs. The success of Intel's graphics cards will depend on their ability to address these limitations, enhance compatibility, provide stable drivers, and offer attractive pricing. The future holds possibilities for Intel, and only time will tell if they can truly establish themselves as a competitive force in the gaming industry.

Highlights

• Intel's dominance in the processor market is being challenged by AMD's Ryzen processors.
• Intel has entered the desktop graphics card market with the ARK A770 and A750 models.
• The performance and pricing of the ARK A770 and A750 are underwhelming compared to the competition.
• Energy efficiency and cooling performance are average for the ARK A770 and A750.
• Gaming performance is satisfactory in titles that utilize modern APIs, but lacking in older games.
• Proper API support is crucial for optimal performance and compatibility with games.
• Intel's ARK cards offer unique features like XeSS and AV1 encoder.
• Intel is committed to improving their graphics cards and plans to release future generations.
• The success of Intel's graphics cards will depend on their ability to address limitations and offer competitive features and pricing.