What They Say
Tom’s Hardware reviewed the Intel Arc A770 Limited Edition GPU and add-in board. The review suggests it might be an alternative to AMD or Nvidia, especially for AV1 and VP9 encoding. However, we noted a comment about a Smooth Sync feature that we had previously missed.
The feature effectively blurs or interpolates the border between adjacent frames when an update occurs during a display frame – the effect known as ‘tearing’ and the main reason that VRR and special display sync is needed. The reviewers said that they were not aware of any tearing when there was frame mis-match.
Intel also introduced a ‘Speed Sync’ feature which synchronises the display output to match the display rather than delaying the frame to match the display, the system previously used in V-Sync systems. (we found a good explanation of the way Speed Sync works by adding an extra buffer to the two usually used here)
Separately, Acer is said to be about to release a new AIB using an Intel Arc A770 GPU with, apparently an unusual fan configuration. If that’s your thing, details are here.
What We Think
This is intriguing. The display industry has done a good job in developing different sync systems. If the user can’t tell the difference when Smooth Sync is enabled, then life for display makers could get simpler. However, Intel has no significant impact on the market yet, so unless Nvidia and AMD develop similar technologies, it won’t impact the market, at least in the short to medium term. (BR)
