It’s not easy living in a world where AI is driving up the cost of computer components, and you only need to check in with the gaming world to see the misery that’s making for things.
Everything is already that little bit more expensive, but now that data centres are eating all the memory and solid-state drive components, the cost of everything else that might use the tech is also going up. Laptops cost more this year, but so do gaming systems, and that includes portable gaming PCs, as well.
While the world waits for AI to stop decimating the supply of components, we could see more competition in that category, which could end up in turn making prices better for all.
Helping that supply is a new entrant in portable gaming PC processors, as Intel throws its hand in joining AMD which supplied pretty much everyone else. AMD is in the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally models, and it’s even in Lenovo’s Legion Go S portable, too.
This year, Intel’s Arc G will join the gaming world, providing a take on mobile gaming not out of kilter from the performance seen with Core Ultra hardware, plus a few changes. There appears to be variations of the processor, with the labelling noting both a standard and an “extreme” processor, likely signalling the difference between levels of performance.
Beyond the performance level, however, expect both chips to include pre-compiled shaders in select games, using graphics for some titles that will come from the cloud, while Intel also talks up advanced connectivity for the systems, including Bluetooth 6, WiFi 7, and Thunderbolt 4, as well.
AI will play a part in the technology, as well, supporting AI upscaling for games, smooth visuals with a frame generation system that sounds a little like the motion technologies TVs get, and low latency controls for gamers who need that snappy responsiveness as they play.
“Intel Arc G-Series represents years of focused innovation and a deep commitment to gaming,” said Dan Rogers, Vice President and General Manager of the PC Product and Client Computing Group at Intel.
“It delivers uncompromising PC performance in the palm of your hand, combined with the console-like accessibility and immediacy gamers expect,” he said.
While these devices won’t technically be consoles, they will aim to be console-like, and could paint a picture for what PC gaming looks like with improved Intel processors focused on making gaming better.
And in terms of who will be getting these chips, Intel notes that Acer and MSI will be included, with more portables in the months to come. Right now, it’s more in the category of “watch this space”, or potentially more like “wait to game in this space”, which seems to be more the case with these systems rolling out in the coming weeks.
