Back at CES, Intel showed off the first version of its ‘Xe' graphics architecture running as an iGPU. We have yet to see the discrete graphics version in detail, but we'll get to see Xe Integrated Graphics in just a few months time. 

Intel's Tiger Lake processors are currently set to launch in mid-2020, meaning we should see what Xe is capable of in iGPU form in the next couple of months. This might not end up providing a ton of competition to Nvidia for now, but Xe's early iGPU release should help bring competition to the APU market.

As Intel CEO, Bob Swan, told investors this week, Tiger Lake will be based on the company's second generation 10nm process and will launch inside of “more than 50 fantastic notebooks” before the end of the year. Swan also says it will offer ‘breakthrough performance' but we'll need to judge it for ourselves to give it a proper stamp of approval.

Discrete Xe GPUs are expected at some point, although at this rate, we could be looking at very late 2020 or early 2021 before we see a launch, unless Intel has some surprises for us over the Summer.

KitGuru Says: We are highly looking forward to checking out Xe in action, although personally, I'm more interested in what Intel can bring to the discrete graphics market. Are any of you looking to get a new laptop this year? Will you be keeping an eye out for Intel's upcoming Tiger Lake range? 

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