Intel squeezed an AMD graphics chip, RAM and CPU into one module
the new processor integrates a "semi-custom" AMD graphics chip and the second generation of Intel's "High Bandwidth Memory (HBM2)", which is comparable to GDDR5 in a traditional laptop.
Summary of Intel's news:
The new product, which will be part of our 8th Gen Intel Core family, brings together our high-performing Intel Core H-series processor, second generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM2) and a custom-to-Intel third-party discrete graphics chip from AMD's Radeon Technologies Group* – all in a single processor package.
[...] At the heart of this new design is EMIB (Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge), a small intelligent bridge that allows heterogeneous silicon to quickly pass information in extremely close proximity. EMIB eliminates height impact as well as manufacturing and design complexities, enabling faster, more powerful and more efficient products in smaller sizes. This is the first consumer product that takes advantage of EMIB.
[...] Additionally, this solution is the first mobile PC to use HBM2, which consumes much less power and takes up less space compared to traditional discrete graphics-based designs using dedicated graphics memory, like GDDR5 memory.
takyon: This is more like an "integrated discrete GPU" than standard integrated graphics. It also avoids the need for Intel to license AMD's IP. AMD also needs to make a lot of parts since its wafer supply agreement with GlobalFoundries penalizes AMD if they buy less than a target number of wafers each year.
Also at AnandTech and Ars Technica.
Previously: AMD Stock Surges on Report of Intel Graphics Licensing Deal, 16-Core Ryzen Confirmed
Related: Samsung Increases Production of 8 GB High Bandwidth Memory 2.0 Stacks
(Score: 3, Insightful) by ledow on Tuesday November 07 2017, @01:34PM
Intel was always running last in graphics anyway.
Intel + nVidia is the gamer's combo.
AMD + AMD/ATI is the cheap gamer's combo / "i have better numbers for 2.5 seconds until another product comes out" show-off.
Intel does need a better on-board graphics, there's no question. Licensing nVidia would pretty much cut AMD out of the market entirely overnight. Who would bother to buy AMD?
So to combat that I wouldn't be surprised if AMD approached Intel about putting their GPU on Intel's chips, to try to stay relevant and not get shut out entirely (and/or have to sue under anti-trust to prevent such a deal in the first place).
But... though I would like a better default GPU on all machines so I don't have to explain to people that they must have another card / a particular chipset to play even the most basic of games (e.g. The Sims series etc.), I still see that people would buy Intel and put nVidia in if they want it to be a gamer's machine.
I reckon AMD's combat to that would be something like an SLI mechanism so the on-board GPU can help an AMD PCI-e card a little.
It seems the only logical way forward that doesn't end up in an Intel + nVidia monopoly that could quickly turn on the consumer.
And I'll be quite happy to have a decent-enough GPU - even if it is AMD - in processors by default in 5-10 year's time. It would mean that things like OpenGL / Vulkan etc. would become de-facto rather than a bolt-on or severely limited. And maybe we'd even get some decent drivers / abstraction layers out of it (but that's hoping for a lot!).
Roll on the days where you can just assume that playing a basic 3D game, running something in OpenCL or WebGL, or running something like a browser in accelerated mode won't kill a machine, even a business-class machine.