Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6460 Beta Released

Intel has rolled out a new beta driver update for its Arc graphics cards, version 101.6460, headlined by optimisations for the recently launched FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. This update brings notable performance enhancements for both Intel Arc B-series and A-series GPUs, as well as Intel Core Ultra processors with built-in Intel Arc graphics.

For Arc B-series GPUs, the new driver delivers an average FPS uplift of up to 12.8% at 1080p and 11.6% at 1440p in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH when using the High preset compared to the previous driver (31.0.101.6257). Intel Core Ultra Series 2 systems with integrated Arc GPUs see gains of up to 9% at 1080p with Medium settings compared to the previous driver (31.0.101.6458).

However, the beta driver is not without its issues. A number of known problems are listed, including application crashes in F1 24 when dynamically adjusting XeSS FG settings, potential display mode conflicts, and errors with MLPerf on multi-GPU systems. Various software compatibility issues are also highlighted, impacting applications like Topaz Labs Photo AI and Magix Vegas Pro. Specific issues for A-Series, and Core Ultra Series 1 & 2 with integrated graphics are also detailed in the release notes.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Despite these known issues, this driver update promises improved performance in the highly anticipated FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH for Arc users. Gamers are encouraged to update to the latest beta driver and provide feedback to Intel to help refine future releases.

Gaming Highlights
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:

• FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Performance Improvements:
Intel Arc B-series Graphics GPUs (vs. Intel 31.0.101.6257 driver):
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (DX12):

• Up to 12.8% average FPS uplift at 1080p with High settings
• Up to 11.6% average FPS uplift at 1440p with High settings

Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs (vs. Intel 31.0.101.6458 driver):
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (DX12):

• Up to 9.0% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Medium settings

Known Issues Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products

• F1 24 (DX12) with XeSS FG:
  • Application crashes may occur when dynamically changing XeSS FG settings during gameplay. Recommended to toggle settings in the game menu before starting a race.
  • “Alt + Enter” shortcut may change the display mode to fullscreen exclusive, causing crashes.
• MLPerf: May show intermittent errors on multi-GPU systems. Disabling the integrated GPU is recommended.
• Topaz Labs Photo AI: Corruptions may occur with certain image enhancement operations.
• Magix Vegas Pro: Corruptions may occur when using the style transfer feature.
• Dassault Systèmes CATIA: Application may crash when using the HQAO option.
• Cyberlink Power Director: May experience tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.
• Adobe Lightroom Classic: Lower-than-expected performance. Workaround:
  • Edit > Preferences > Performance
  • Set Graphics Processor to “Custom”
  • Enable “Use GPU for Display,” “Use GPU for Image Processing,” and “Use GPU for Export.”

Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12): Shadows may appear darker than expected in certain campaign scenarios.
• Topaz Gigapixel AI: Intermittent crashes may occur during image export.
• Adobe After Effects: Flickering may occur in the preview window during playback.
• Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.

Intel Core Ultra Series 1 with Built-in Intel Arc GPUs

• PugetBench for Davinci Resolve Studio V19: Intermittent errors with the Extended benchmark preset.
• Davinci Resolve Studio v19.0: Errors may occur during OpenVino test scenario rendering.
• Topaz Video AI: Corruptions may occur during video export after applying some enhancement models.
• Adobe After Effects: Flickering in the preview window during playback.
• Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video.

Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with Built-in Intel Arc GPUs

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Output video may show corruption after performing 8K AV1 encode.
• PugetBench for Davinci Resolve Studio V19: Intermittent errors with the Extended benchmark preset.
• Davinci Resolve Studio v19.0:
  • Errors while rendering OpenVino test scenarios.
  • Errors may occur intermittently during AI/ML scenario rendering.
• Topaz Video AI: Corruption during video export after applying enhancement models.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (DX12): Crash may occur during gameplay with frame generation enabled.
• Adobe After Effects: Flickering in the preview window during playback.
• Cyberlink Power Director: Tearing and lag in the preview window and exported video on certain Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Mobile Processors.

Intel Graphics Software Known Issues

• Application crashes when navigating pages or dialogue boxes due to framework issues. A fix will be available in IGS with WinAppSDK 1.7.
• Intermittent crashes when resetting settings via “Reset All Settings” in Windows 10. Individual page resets are unaffected.
• Single application crash may occur on the first re-arrange of metrics in the select metrics window. Subsequent usage unaffected.
• FPS Limiter may not function with VSync ON and Low Latency Mode enabled.
• Profile controls may not always supersede global controls.
• Non-native panel resolution scaling may result in unintended behavior.
• Incorrect reporting of Xe Cores for some Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products.

Intel Graphics Software Performance Tuning (BETA)

• Performance and features may behave unexpectedly in multi-GPU scenarios:
  • The performance tuning page may attempt to apply changes to multiple devices simultaneously instead of per GPU selector.