Intel is already delivering the Iris Xe Max DG1 ahead of its debut later this year; Xe DG2 desktop gaming GPU will not be ready until 2H 2021 at the earliest

A lot of information about the Intel Iris Xe Max DG1 has already appeared online in the last few days, as we have reported. Our sources already revealed that the dedicated card resembles the Intel Iris Xe G7 that Intel integrates within Tiger Lake-U series processors, but with higher clock speeds and the bonus of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM. Acer has equipped the Swift 3x with the Iris Xe Max DG1, for example, which is expected to begin shipping in December. The Acer Swift 3x will start at €899 for the Core i5-1135G7 model, but it can also be equipped with a Core i7-1165G7 for more horsepower.

Now, Intel CEO Bob Swan has officially confirmed, as part of the company's quarterly results, that the Iris Xe Max DG1 is now shipping. As expected, the first devices equipped with Intel's first dedicated GPU in decades will be available before the end of the year. Intel is still yet to confirm the specifications of the Iris Xe Max DG1, though.

Additionally, Swan offered some news about the Xe DG2, Intel's first gaming desktop GPU. According to the same press release, the development of the Xe DG2 remains on track, while Anandtech adds that it has returned to Intel's labs for testing. The tape-out and fabbing of alpha Xe DG2 GPUs may have been completed, but it will be a while before the GPU comes to market. Apparently, Intel is expected to deliver the card in the second half of 2021. Swan also confirmed that Intel has based the Xe DG2 on its Xe-HPG architecture, meaning that the DG2 will not be a direct successor to the DG1.