Intel's new G-series processors includes AMD Radeon RX Vega M onboard graphics
Intel's latest processor launch is a collaboration with long-time rival AMD, with the two chip firms working together to create a pair of 8th generation Core processors that are equipped with Radeon RX Vega M graphics, with the onboard AMD GPU potentially helping with the creation of more powerful notebooks or small form-factor computers like the Mac mini that do not require a dedicated GPU.
The pair of G-series chip ranges each consist of an eight-generation Intel Core processor alongside a custom Radeon RX Vega M GPU, connected together with eight PCI Express Gen 3 lanes. Next to the GPU is 4 gigabytes of High Bandwidth Memory Gen 2 (HBM2), which is connected to the GPU via Intel's Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB) technology.
The lower-specification model will use a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU with base and boosted clock speeds of 931 and 1,011 megahertz respectively, and 20 compute units. Paired a quad-core Intel Core processor clocked at up to 4.1 gigahertz with up to 8 megabytes of cache, the entire package will have a thermal design point (TDP) of 65 Watts, making it highly suitable for mobile systems.
The second version opts for a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, with 1,063 and 1,190 megahertz base and boosted clock speeds, 24 compute units. A similar quad-core processor with the same cache will be included, albeit with a higher clock speed of up to 4.2GHz, with a TDP of 100 Watts, though Intel plans to ship this model with an unlocked CPU, GPU, and HBM2, making it an option more attractive to those wanting to overclock the package.
It is claimed the combined processor and GPU takes up less than half the footprint of similar discrete components, and has the potential to significantly slim down notebooks. Intel gives the example of three-year-old notebooks weighing nearly 7 pounds, measuring more than 32mm thick, with only four hours of battery life, while newer models using this style of chip could be under 17mm thick and run for up to eight hours on a single charge.
Intel claims this setup is capable of providing triple the frames per second compared to similar systems released three years ago, and offers a performance boost of around 40 percent compared to current discrete graphics options. It is suggested these chips would be ideal for VR enthusiasts, with them capable of providing the processing power required for VR and mixed reality headsets.
As a demonstration of the new processors' usefulness, Intel also launched a new NUC, formerly codenamed "Hades Canyon," which uses the announced processor in a compact 1.2-liter volume system. Despite the small form factor, Intel claims it is still capable of running VR content, and would be usable by content creators with high workload requirements.
Notebook vendors using the new chips have yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be announced during CES. Pricing and availability are also similarly unknown at the time of publication, but initial hardware may ship by the end of the first quarter of 2018.
As usual, it is uncertain as to whether Apple will take advantage of the new chips in the Mac mini, or in future MacBook and MacBook Pro releases. The current 15-inch MacBook Pro includes discrete Radeon GPUs alongside the integrated Intel HD Graphics 630, so using the launched processors could well be an attractive proposition.
The pair of G-series chip ranges each consist of an eight-generation Intel Core processor alongside a custom Radeon RX Vega M GPU, connected together with eight PCI Express Gen 3 lanes. Next to the GPU is 4 gigabytes of High Bandwidth Memory Gen 2 (HBM2), which is connected to the GPU via Intel's Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB) technology.
The lower-specification model will use a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU with base and boosted clock speeds of 931 and 1,011 megahertz respectively, and 20 compute units. Paired a quad-core Intel Core processor clocked at up to 4.1 gigahertz with up to 8 megabytes of cache, the entire package will have a thermal design point (TDP) of 65 Watts, making it highly suitable for mobile systems.
The second version opts for a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, with 1,063 and 1,190 megahertz base and boosted clock speeds, 24 compute units. A similar quad-core processor with the same cache will be included, albeit with a higher clock speed of up to 4.2GHz, with a TDP of 100 Watts, though Intel plans to ship this model with an unlocked CPU, GPU, and HBM2, making it an option more attractive to those wanting to overclock the package.
It is claimed the combined processor and GPU takes up less than half the footprint of similar discrete components, and has the potential to significantly slim down notebooks. Intel gives the example of three-year-old notebooks weighing nearly 7 pounds, measuring more than 32mm thick, with only four hours of battery life, while newer models using this style of chip could be under 17mm thick and run for up to eight hours on a single charge.
Intel claims this setup is capable of providing triple the frames per second compared to similar systems released three years ago, and offers a performance boost of around 40 percent compared to current discrete graphics options. It is suggested these chips would be ideal for VR enthusiasts, with them capable of providing the processing power required for VR and mixed reality headsets.
As a demonstration of the new processors' usefulness, Intel also launched a new NUC, formerly codenamed "Hades Canyon," which uses the announced processor in a compact 1.2-liter volume system. Despite the small form factor, Intel claims it is still capable of running VR content, and would be usable by content creators with high workload requirements.
Notebook vendors using the new chips have yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be announced during CES. Pricing and availability are also similarly unknown at the time of publication, but initial hardware may ship by the end of the first quarter of 2018.
As usual, it is uncertain as to whether Apple will take advantage of the new chips in the Mac mini, or in future MacBook and MacBook Pro releases. The current 15-inch MacBook Pro includes discrete Radeon GPUs alongside the integrated Intel HD Graphics 630, so using the launched processors could well be an attractive proposition.
Comments
Put this in a Mac Mini, and make some very minor tweaks - and Apple will sell Mac Mini's at a rate that they cannot keep up with supply.
1) DIMM Slots - again, just like the 2012 and earlier versions. Allow the user to add memory.
2) SATA Connector(s) - allow the user to add a second hard drive, or SDD, or simply add two SDD's, again; just like the 2012 and earlier versions.
The Mac Mini is a small inexpensive INTRODUCTION to the Apple computer environment, it sports no monitor and is just a small form factor, desktop Mac. The sad fact is that the 2012 Mac Mini with some very inexpensive upgrades will stop the living bejezus out of the top-of the line Mac Mini that is sold today. Given the money, I will buy the 6 year old Mac Mini - as USED - before I would consider the current stock of Mac Mini's sold at Apple.
This is a chance for Apple to not only refresh the aging Mac Mini; but to also make some inroads against Windows (Mr. Cook, you do remember MSFT, don't you?)
A Mac Mini without NVMExpress and Thunderbolt 3 is not a refresh.
2. SATA is old technology, but I suppose they could use it in the $499 model to keep costs down. That doesn't mean you'll have access to it though.
For the price point Apple sells a Mac mini at, this isn't going to be like some very scaled down Mac tower mini thats modular. It just isn't going to happen. This will be a "What You Buy Is What You Get" Mac.
I'm still thinking Apple will use its own CPU in the next Mac mini.
I think this setup will be more suited for the next MacBook Pro, not a cheap sub $800 Mac.
The entry Hades Canyon system has no RAM, storage or OS. It uses the 65W i7-8705G, up to a 100W i7-8709G. It has a starting price of $799 and an external power supply.
A 65W chip won't go in a Mac mini with minor tweaks and once you add a SSD and RAM it would cost well over $1000.
For the actual Coffee-Lake hex-cores, I do heard they runs pretty hot.
Also, for the RAM support, the G-series only allowed DDR4-2400, based on Intel ARK.
https://ark.intel.com/products/130409/Intel-Core-i7-8809G-Processor-with-Radeon-RX-Vega-M-GH-graphics-8M-Cache-up-to-4_20-GHz
If you look back to the Iris Pro, Apple was actually the one who asked for and pushed for it, so maybe they even pushed for an joint venture like this.
These days if if you want a useful little desktop you go for a nuc.
anyway, these chips are more likely MBP and iMac.
I don't know if this will get into a Mac mini. They haven't had a quad-core model for some time now, and my understanding was that this was due to thermal limitations. The latest quad-cores, especially the i7, run too hot to put in a Mac mini chassis. Similar considerations would work against dedicated graphics, and even if this new design lowers the heat output, I expect it will still be a bit high. I'd like to hope it isn't, since then we might finally get a quad-core processor in the 13" MacBook Pro, but I don't think that's likely.
After writing this, I realize what I really need/want is a poor man's Mac Pro. I doubt Apple want to go in that direction.
But I guess sooner or later Intel would do the same with newer microarchitectures.