Haswell GT3e Pictured, Coming to Desktops (R-SKU) & Notebooks
by Anand Lal Shimpi on April 10, 2013 7:21 PM EST
One of the worst kept secrets is Haswell will have four different GPU configurations: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT3e. As with Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, higher numbers mean more execution units, with GT3 topping out at 40 EUs. The lowercase e denotes an embedded DRAM part, with some amount of DRAM on the Haswell package itself (not on-die).
In an awesome scoop, the folks at VR-Zone managed to snag a photo of what looks like a quad-core Haswell die with GT3e graphics. The small package to the left should be the Lynx Point chipset (8-series), while the dual-die package on the right is Haswell + DRAM. The big square die should be Haswell itself with its 40 EU GPU, while the smaller die is the DRAM itself.
Intel hasn't officially acknowledged the existence of GT3e, but it did demonstrate performance of the part at CES earlier this year - targeting somewhere around the speed of NVIDIA's GeForce GT 650M. The DRAM size, operating frequency and bus width are all unknown at this point. I've heard the DRAM itself should be relatively small (~128MB), looking at the chip shot we get some indication but there's no confirmation of the specific type of memory we're looking at here (which obviously impacts die area).
Haswell GT3e will be available both in notebooks and desktops, however neither will come in socketed form (BGA-only). The desktop parts will carry an R suffix. This will be the beginning of Intel's socketed/soldered strategy on the desktop, which as of now is set to work sort of like tick tock - with the first chips on any new process being sold exclusively in BGA packages. Haswell will have socketed desktop SKUs, Broadwell won't, Skylake will, etc...
GT3e use in notebooks will be limited to larger designs it seems. Don't expect to find this level of graphics performance in a low wattage Ultrabook part, but it will likely surface in bigger notebooks - perhaps those driving ultra high resolution panels.
Source: VR Zone
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jeffkibuule - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
Actually, I'd say you really won't be missing much. I'd expect GT3e to fit in a thin Retina MacBook Pro-like chassis, which isn't that much thicker or heavier than a MacBook Air. Probably an extra 0.5 lbs in weight.tipoo - Thursday, April 11, 2013 - link
That would be quite appealing. It doesn't have to have a retina-like display or be as light as an ultrabook, but a think 13" laptop with no optical drive and GT3e would be really nice.DanNeely - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
Has Intel explicitly confirmed their intent to keep all Tocks available in socketed form; or is that just speculation based on their promise that Haswell wouldn't be the last socketed desktop chip?jeffkibuule - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
Intel has already said that Haswell won't be the last socketed chip. Besides, for enthusiasts it makes it pretty simple which CPUs to get. Unless you really upgrade every year, a 2 or 4 year cadence is pretty decent anyway (besides I don't expect more than 10% per generation anyway).glugglug - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
They have already stated that while Broadwell will be soldered only, its successor Skylar will be available in both socketed and soldered form.I don't know about any statements on what comes after Skylar.
bakedpatato - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
I will be very impressed if GT3e is as fast as the 650M but to be fair the HD4000 is faster than the GO 7900GTX in my old Inspiron...glugglug - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
I was severely disappointed when I read a couple months ago that the GT3 with the integrated DRAM would only be available as a BGA soldered part.Are we now saying that is incorrect?
frogger4 - Thursday, April 11, 2013 - link
Nope saying the same thing still. You can see in the picture above, it's a no-socket package there :/DanaGoyette - Thursday, April 11, 2013 - link
Any idea if Haswell will support 30-bit (10 bits per component) displays?How about integrated 120Hz displays?
Right now, Intel supports neither, so laptops with such displays can't use the Intel GPU.
krumme - Thursday, April 11, 2013 - link
I have played enough on SB and IB, to let me beliewe this will not give performance like 650M in real games and with similar quality. And absolutely not with the same consistency.Surely gt3e is hopefully a really big step forward for cost and power, but please dont let fx. 3d mark vantage and low res performance stand in the way of real world performance for the average user. Jugde for consistent performance on a wide range of games.