It's easy to forget Intel GPUs are in the best graphics card race, but new driver updates could help ARC models keep up with Nvidia. While the green team has been offering up Frame Generation since the RTX 40-series, XeSS is about to get Multi-Frame Generation tricks that should be similar to DLSS 4.5.
Available as part of driver package 32.0.101.8425/32.0.101.8362, Intel XeSS Multi-Frame Generation will seemingly be compatible with Battlemage and Alchemist GPUs. That means that, while the upgrade arrives as part of the Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc B390 and B370 launch, you should be able to boost fps using even cards like the Intel Arc A770 or even a gaming PC featuring its cheaper first-gen siblings.
Whether you think tools like DLSS 4.5 and XeSS 3 are using "fake frames" to boost fps or you welcome AI upscaling tools with open arms, the Intel Arc update will help the GPU range stand out. As of right now, AMD is resisting arming cards like the Radeon RX 9070 with Multi-Frame Generation, with David McAfee stating, “We will proceed very cautiously and listen to the gaming community and the reaction that they have," in an interview with Gizmodo.
In an ideal world, more players will come to Intel Arc GPUs for the Multi-Frame Gen and stay for the generally lower MSRPs and decent native performance. Of course, we'll need either a Battlemage or Celestial card that can take on Nvidia's top-end options, but if that happens, we'll be looking at a rival that is prepared to fight using AI upscaling spells.
The graphics card market has felt weird for a while now, with the largely unattainable RTX 5090 sitting at the top of the totem pole, and AMD doing anything but making a direct competitor. That's not necessarily a bad thing since it demonstrates that Team Red is focused on making cards players can actually afford, albeit with mid-range specs. While I suspect we will eventually get Radeon cards that trade blows with Nvidia's best once again in the future, the release of XeSS 3 is a sign that Intel Arc is still alive on the battlefield.
Ideally, we'll also see the best gaming handheld options with Intel chips inside gain MFG superpowers, but I'll check back in about that when it happens.
Building a system from scratch? Swing by the best CPU for gaming and the best RAM for our top component picks. You'll also want to check out the best Alienware gaming PC for out-of-this-world rig options.
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