Intel Arc GPUs empower Elden Ring Nightreign with improved performance, as evidenced by a fresh driver update. This update particularly enhances frame rates in Monster Hunter Wilds too.
Chill, Here's the Lowdown on Intel's Latest "Game On" Driver Update
Memorial Day Weekend saw Intel unleashing the latest version of its "Game On" driver for Arc desktop and laptop graphics—Version 32.0.101.6795, baby! Download it directly from Intel.com if you're feeling lucky.
The patch notes are pretty slim, but they're packed with some significant goodies. Let me break it down for you.
First and foremost, the launch date for Elden Ring Nightreign is rapidly approaching for PC players on May 29. And guess who's got your back? That's right—Intel! They're providing official support for this co-op player-versus-environment spinoff from the masters at FromSoftware.
But that's not all, folks! Intel Arc users are also gearing up for the recently previewed multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening, slated for launch on June 10. And high-speed sim racing fans can get their fix with F1 25, which drops on May 30.
Now, let's talk about a little love for the multiplayer open-world action RPG Monster Hunter Wilds. This bad boy has been receiving patches from its developers to address performance issues, and now Intel's stepping up to the plate at a hardware level. Running Monster Hunter Wilds at 1080p on an Intel Arc B-Series "Battlemage" graphics card with this updated driver can increase your frames-per-second (FPS) by a cool 9% or 6%, if you're gaming at 1440p. So, while it's a small boost if you're already hitting 60 FPS, it's better than nothing for a demanding game like this. And let's be real, it's a solid reason to upgrade!
So, Are You Ready to Jump Ship to Intel Arc?
Intel's ongoing efforts to keep up with the latest and greatest PC games are a definite plus—especially the performance bumps for titles that struggle on less-powerful hardware. But hey, Intel Arc primarily targets the 1080p and 1440p brackets due to their preference for mid-range hardware like the B580 and B570 "Battlemage" cards and the A750 from the "Alchemist" range.
Nevertheless, Intel's dedication to improving framerates on affordable hardware with new driver releases gives some much-needed credibility to handhelds using modern Arc mobile graphics, like the highly-praised (if hard-to-find) MSI Claw 8+ AI.
I've personally witnessed improvements in Intel Arc graphics since the launch of its first discrete A-Series graphics, and I'm excited to see where the trend leads—particularly if NVIDIA and AMD plan to release cards with only 8GB of VRAM.
All I'm really craving is for more high-profile OEMs to embrace Arc mobile graphics in new PC gaming handhelds and for Intel to expand its B-Series cards into the high-end with some beefier models. We'll see!
Patch Notes
- Intel Game On Driver support on Intel Arc B-series, A-series Graphics GPUs and Intel Core Ultra with built-in Intel Arc GPUs for:
- Dune: Awakening
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- F1 25
- Game performance improvements on Intel Arc B-series Graphics GPUs versus Intel 32.0.101.6793 software driver for:
- Monster Hunter Wilds (DX12)
- Up to 9% average FPS uplift at 1080p
- Up to 6% average FPS uplift at 1440p
- The latest "Game On" driver update from Intel is now available, version 32.0.101.6795, aimed for Arc desktop and laptop graphics.
- The upcoming game Elden Ring Nightreign, launching on May 29 for PC players, receives official support from Intel.
- Alongside Elden Ring Nightreign, Intel Arc users can anticipate the launch of Dune: Awakening on June 10, a multiplayer survival game.
- F1 25, a high-speed sim racing game, is set to drop on May 30 for gamers seeking some action.
- The new update also offers performance improvements for Monster Hunter Wilds, a multiplayer open-world action RPG, with an average FPS uplift of 9% at 1080p and 6% at 1440p.
- Despite primarily targeting the 1080p and 1440p brackets, Intel's commitment to enhance framerates on affordable hardware with new driver releases is commendable.
- The increasing demand for better handheld PC gaming devices has led to excitement about the potential of more high-profile OEMs adopting Arc mobile graphics.
- The development in technology, such as artificial intelligence and data-and-cloud-computing, brings about the possibility of future advancements in sports-betting and sports simulations with new hardware like Intel Arc graphics cards.
