One of the persistent rumours over the past year is an Intel and AMD collaboration. According to these rumours, Intel has already licensed AMD graphics IP to use with their processors. Due to the pervasiveness of the rumours, Intel straight up denied using AMD IP. However, this has not stopped rumours from circling. Further fanning the flames, we now have a leaked slide showing Intel and AMD together on a mobile chip.
From the slide, we can see that the chip will have Vega Inside. It is also obviously a mobile chip, an area where iGPU performance is paramount. This matches previous rumours pointing to an Iris Pro like solution using Vega as the graphics IP. Intel has been promoting their own graphics IP but has strangely remained silent with the new UHD 620 and 630 launches. If Vega is arriving soon, this could be a way to ease the transition.
Intel CPU and AMD iGPU on Mobile CPU
This leak, however, must be reconciled with the flat-out denial from Intel. One possibility is that Intel is bound by an NDA and cannot tell the truth. Intel also likely doesn’t want to say anything to praise AMD just yet. There is also the possibility that the arrangement does not involve licencing graphics IP. Afterall, Intel could use Vega as an MCM or or-package add-on. Intel has made moves towards a more modular design with embedded interconnects. That may allow Intel to skirt any direct licensing issues.
It’s important to note that this leak is completely unverified at this point. Given that, it should still rank as speculation. Intel has made a lot of improvement to their own graphics IP. It doesn;t make sense to throw it away, especially when it is quite close to AMD’s performance. Either way, the nearest launch for such a CPU would be with Cannon Lake. It will be interesting if this situation does turn out to be true.
