Intel calls Resizable BAR a "must" for its ARC series GPUs
Intel's effectively making Resizable BAR one of ARC's system requirements
Published: 17th June 2022 | Source: Intel - Via Videocardz |
Resizable BAR must be enabled to deliver "optimal performance" with Intel's ARC GPUs
As part of their Intel ARC Quick Start Guide, Intel has made it clear that their ARC series graphics cards are expected to be used with systems with Resizable BAR support enabled, stating that "Resizable BAR must be enabled for optimal performance in all applications using Intel Arc A-Series Graphics."
Below, Intel has stated that their 10th, 11th, and 12th generation desktop processors support Resizable BAR with their ARC A-Series graphics cards, but also that additional platforms will support "Resizable BAR / Smart Access Memory". In short, AMD platforms will also (unofficially) support Resizable BAR with Intel's ARC series GPUs.
AMD introduced Resizable BAR support to the GPU market with Smart Access Memory in 2020, an AMD implementation of Resizable BAR support that can enable significant performance increases in many games. Since then, Nvidia and Intel have followed AMD's lead, implementing Resizable BAR on their GPUs to achieve similar benefits.
With AMD, Nvidia, and Intel supporting Resizable BAR, the feature will likely become something that will be enabled by default on most PCs moving forward. Leaving the feature turned off simply leaves performance on the table, and system builders and manufacturers would be foolish to do that.
Currently, Intel's ARC A380 desktop GPU is only available in China, which means that we are currently unable to test or review the graphics card. When ARC Desktop graphics cards launch in the west, we will see how Resizable BAR impacts Intel's gaming performance.
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