10 Must-Know Things About Arc Intel Graphics

You've had your PC for a while now, and you're starting to wonder—what exactly is that integrated graphics card capable of? While you may not be gaming at 4K resolution or doing intensive 3D modeling, that little Arc chip has some tricks up its sleeve. 

Hence, you need to have a better understanding of how Arc Intel works and new ways to optimize your experience. 

In this post, we'll take a deeper dive into Intel's Arc graphics to uncover 10 must-know things that will help you get the most out of your system. 

1. It's Based on Xe Architecture

You may have heard Intel refer to their new graphics architecture as "Xe"—this  is what powers their Arc lineup. Xe was designed from the ground up for high performance, scalability, and power efficiency. It features technologies like Xe-HPG for gaming, Xe-HPC for compute workflows, and Xe-LP for low-power devices.

2. It Has dedicated GDDR6 Memory

While integrated graphics traditionally rely on sharing your system's main RAM, Intel Arc graphics cards come equipped with their own dedicated GDDR6 memory. This provides significantly higher bandwidth than relying on RAM and is crucial for gaming and graphics workloads. 

The amount of memory can vary between cards, but even lower-end Arc models have 4GB, which is enough for many games at lower settings. The memory interface is also quite wide, up to 128 bits, allowing for smooth performance.

3. Quick Sync Video Acceleration is a Big Deal

One feature that doesn't get enough attention is Intel Quick Sync Video. 

• This hardware acceleration allows your Arc chip to quickly encode and decode video formats without taxing your CPU. 

• This comes in very handy for tasks like streaming, video editing, and transcoding large media files. It means you can smoothly export 4K video projects or downscale footage for upload without issue. 

• Quick Sync is also integrated into popular apps like Handbrake and makes light work of tasks that used to take hours. 

If you work with video regularly, this alone could be a huge plus versus competing integrated graphics.

4. It Supports the Latest Connectivity Standards

In terms of ports and interfaces, Arc Intel is fully equipped with the latest standards. You'll find support for DisplayPort 1.4a and HDMI 2.0b, allowing for high resolution and high refresh rate output on modern monitors. 

There's also support for the latest PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.2 interfaces for maximum bandwidth. This future-proofs your system and ensures Arc can keep up with advances in display technologies for years to come. The ports are also capable of daisy-chaining multiple displays from a single connection.

5. It Can Accelerate Workflows in Popular Apps

Beyond just games and media, the release of Intel Arc brought hardware acceleration to integrated productivity and creative apps. 

• Programs like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere can tap into Intel's media and encoding engines to dramatically speed up tasks. 

• This includes filters, effects, and encoding and exporting 4K footage. Similarly, DaVinci Resolve can utilize Quick Sync for buttery-smooth playback and rendering. 

• Even Microsoft Office apps like Excel benefit from Arc's acceleration for data analysis. 

So whether you're editing videos, crunching numbers, or designing graphics, Arc ensures your favorite apps can keep up with your workflow without slowing down your whole system.

6. You Can Use XeSS for Sharper Games

One of the most exciting gaming technologies on Arc is Intel XeSS (Xe Super Sampling). As a rival to Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, XeSS uses advanced machine learning to upscale games to your display's resolution while maintaining high frame rates. 

This allows less demanding Arc GPUs to play games at higher resolutions than they normally could. Even better, it produces sharper and clearer images than traditional upscaling.

7. Overclocking is Possible Through Software

While integrated graphics aren't usually associated with overclocking, the release of Intel arc actually provides some headroom through the use of software overclocking tools. The Intel Graphics Command Center allows you to adjust the GPU and memory clocks to squeeze out a few more frames per second. 

Of course, overvolting isn't possible on these low-power chips. But a modest 5–10% overclock can boost performance noticeably without compromising stability. It's an easy way to get an edge in esports titles and less demanding games if you're after every last frame. Just monitor temperatures closely.

8. It's Built for Multi-Monitor Productivity

With support for multiple 4K displays, Arc Intel is perfect for multi-monitor productivity setups. You can extend your Windows desktop across two or three high-res screens for an immersive work environment. 

With so much extra real estate, you can keep applications, documents, spreadsheets and research side by side without constantly switching windows.

Gaming across dual screens is also superb for those who play MMOs or simulators. Best of all, Arc has no issues driving this many pixels thanks to the generous memory and connectivity of modern cards.

9. It's Ready for VR with OpenXR Support

While you may not be playing cutting-edge VR games, Intel Arc graphics are fully compatible with entry-level VR headsets through the OpenXR standard. 

• This means apps and experiences designed for headsets like the Oculus Quest can be played on your PC through a link cable with good performance. 

• You can enjoy virtual reality movies, explore worlds in VRChat, or play less demanding VR games designed with mobile in mind. 

OpenXR future-proofs your system for whenever you upgrade to a higher-end VR setup too. It's a great way to dip your toe in the VR waters.

10. It Receives Regular Driver Updates

One final benefit of Arc Intel is its commitment to ongoing driver support. As a new architecture, Arc sees frequent driver updates that improve performance, fix bugs, and add new features. This is important given that integrated graphics are often left behind in terms of optimization. New drivers may boost speeds by 5–10% in various games. 

You'll also get day-1 support for new APIs like DirectX 12 Ultimate. Signing up for the Intel Driver & Support Assistant means you're always using the latest version. So over time, Arc will only get better as it matures.

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has helped unlock some of the hidden talents of your Arc integrated graphics! As you can see, "just integrated graphics" is selling these chips short. With capable specs, robust acceleration features, and ongoing support, Arc delivers a versatile and well-rounded experience. Whether you're gaming, video editing, designing or just getting work done, it has you covered.

Read More: Intel Evo: If You Want Something New, You Have To Stop Doing Something Old