Haswell isn't expected to launch until the beginning of June in desktops and quad-core notebooks, but Intel is beginning to talk performance. Intel used a mobile customer reference board in a desktop chassis featuring Haswell GT3 with embedded DRAM (the fastest Haswell GPU configuration that Intel will ship) and compared it to an ASUS UX15 with on-board NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M. 

Despite the chassis difference, Intel claims it will be able to deliver the same performance from the demo today in an identical UX15 chassis by the time Haswell ships.

The video below shows Dirt 3 running at 1080p on both systems, with identical detail settings (High Quality presets, no AA, vsync off). Intel wouldn't let us report performance numbers, but subjectively the two looked to deliver very similar performance. Note that I confirmed all settings myself and ran both games myself independently of the demo. You can be the judge using the video below:

Intel wouldn't let us confirm clock speeds on Haswell vs. the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) system, but it claimed that the Haswell part was the immediate successor to its Ivy Bridge comparison point. 

As proof of Haswell's ability to fit in a notebook chassis, it did have another demo using older Haswell silicon running Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 in a notebook chassis. 

Haswell GT3e's performance looked great for processor graphics. I would assume that overall platform power would be reduced since you wouldn't have a discrete GPU inside, however there's also the question of the cost of the solution. I do expect that NVIDIA will continue to drive discrete GPU performance up, but as a solution for some of the thinner/space constrained form factors (think 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, maybe 11-inch Ultrabook/MacBook Air?) Haswell could be a revolutionary step forward.

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  • CeriseCogburn - Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - link

    You made a mess with your first reply hypocrite.
  • Shadowmaster625 - Thursday, January 10, 2013 - link

    Yeah but none of it means anything if intel charges a $200 premium for this chip vs the cheapest one. If it costs less to go with the cheaper intel chip + discrete, oems will do that.
  • Spunjji - Friday, January 11, 2013 - link

    Based on that logic, I doubt Intel would charge quite that much of a premium unless they have a distinct advantage elsewhere (e.g. power / ease of integration). So it's probably going to be of comparable cost. Could be good, could be bad, all conjecture at this stage.
  • CeriseCogburn - Friday, January 11, 2013 - link


    This chip will be offered with discrete as well - certainly standalone too.

    It will smoke the crap out of any amd cpu side.

    So many will buy it in both configurations for a lot of money.

    The crybaby amd fan haterz will cry and hate still.
  • fabarati - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link

    So, what are the actual max settings possible on the GT 650m?
  • madmilk - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RslBoz5XeJQ

    shows a GDDR5 GT 650M running Dirt 3 at 1080p, probably no AA, and Ultra settings at 40-45fps.

    Intel's use of High and Medium settings stinks of trickery.
  • jwcalla - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link

    Well actually that video shows 1600x900 resolution, but 8x QCSAA.
  • CeriseCogburn - Thursday, January 10, 2013 - link

    But the no AA in the video is really showing us where it's at, which is kind of easyville.
  • jwcalla - Thursday, January 10, 2013 - link

    If by "no AA" you mean "8xCQSAA", then yeah.
  • CeriseCogburn - Friday, January 11, 2013 - link

    By no AA I meant the video here, not the linked youtube.

    DUH.

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