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Intel Xe2 GPU to deliver a HUGE graphics boost as "Battlemage" tech comes to next-gen Lunar Lake laptops and handhelds

Next-gen AI PCs and gaming handhelds like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ are already set to benefit from Intel's new Xe2 graphics architecture.

What you need to know

• Intel is overhauling its graphics microarchitecture for upcoming mobile devices powered by its Lunar Lake SoC and future discrete Intel Arc GPUs.
• The new Xe2 architecture primarily focuses on power efficiency and AI capabilities but also boosts gaming-specific performance.
• Moving real-time rendering operations from software emulation to hardware contributes to a 1.5x performance boost over Intel's previous generation.

Intel is ready to launch its next generation of mobile architecture with Lunar Lake-powered OEM hardware in Q3 of 2024 and change the way we think about AI PCs with a host of improvements to performance and efficiency. While the company has focused, understandably, on its fourth-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to boost its overall Tera Operations per Second (TOPS) count for AI computing, it was proud to share a gigantic leap forward for the graphics tile nestled in its new Lunar Lake System-on-Chip (SoC) design.

Presented on stage and through a series of intimate Q&A sessions during its latest (and largest) Intel Tech Tour in Taiwan, I had exclusive access to the intricate details of how and why Lunar Lake will be a big deal for mobile graphics. The new Xe2 microarchitecture improves media, display, and Image Processing Unit (IPU) operations on the Lunar Lake compute tile, but a promise of "up to 1.5 performance at the same power (of Meteor Lake U )" hints at more benefits awaiting gamers and content creators.

Intel funded travel and expenses to Taipei, Taiwan, and provided confidential information under an embargo agreement. The company did not see the contents of this article before publishing.

What are Intel Xe2 "Battlemage" GPUs?

Anyone following Intel's efforts in the graphics hardware scene will have likely heard of Battlemage , the codename assigned to secretive technology behind next-generation Intel Arc discrete graphics. During a focused talk in Taipei, Intel Fellow Thomas "TAP" Petersen described how the second-generation Xe2 unified graphics architecture will feature in next-gen Intel Arc desktop graphics cards alongside its new GPU tile in the Lunar Lake mobile SoC. It evolves from the Xe architecture used in Meteor Lake that powered Intel's first discrete "Alchemist" GPU family, which itself improved over the following two years with performance upgrades to gaming and other real-time image rendering via driver updates.

Think about Xe2 as the next generation of GPU architecture designed to be more compatible with games and (at a) higher utilization. Thomas "TAP" Petersen, Intel Fellow

TAP is one of the most charismatic speakers from Intel you could ever hope to interact with, as he enthusiastically breaks down the microarchitecture hardware stylings of Xe2 graphics and what it all means for developers. Based on his immense knowledge and experience in the graphics industry, I almost suspect he could draw accurate diagrams of its complex blueprints blindfolded. Still, while he offered the depth of how it all works, Petersen also explained in plain, understandable summaries why any of this matters to your everyday laptop user and portable gaming enthusiast.

Xe2 is Intel's new generation of graphics architecture explicitly designed to be more compatible with games and improve performance in other real-time rendering engines. It's utilizing new Xe Matrix Extension (XMX) engines running at 67 peak TOPS in hardware, taking over AI-centric upscaling methods used by XeSS previously software-emulated on laptops alongside a larger Xe Ray Tracing Unit (RTU) to handle realistic lighting effects. Intel had a lot to learn about CPU limitations and DirectX during its time with its codename Alchemist GPUs. Still, efforts to improve performance for games post-launch have directly influenced Xe2 and Battlemage.

When we launch you're gonna see dramatically better game compatibility. Thomas "TAP" Petersen, Intel Fellow

Of course, Lunar Lake will include more exciting graphical advancements besides improving gaming performance with the Xe2 evolution. Updates to the display tile on the SoC support new standards like eDisplayPort 1.5 (eDP), which uses an adaptive sync system similar to Variable Refresh Rates (VRR.) Essentially, it allows an Intel Xe2-based GPU to control the refresh rate of a connected panel in a device like a laptop or a gaming handheld like the MSI Claw , solving hitching issues similar to what you might encounter when watching movies (usually 24 FPS) shown on screens with a mismatched refresh rate (like the typical 60Hz.)

The Lunar Lake media tile sees support for bleeding-edge video codecs like VVC, also known as H.266, which features clever dynamic resolution changes for streamed video without increasing bandwidth when the quality moves up or down. It's a brand new format for video and likely won't see broad adoption for a while, but as Tom Petersen puts it: "If we don't support the interface, it kinda dies — if we build it, they will come." I saw a live comparison of 4K video running at 24 FPS on a pair of comparable Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake devices, the latter utilizing hardware decoding with a power draw of around only 2.5W compared to the former's 24W. Impressive.

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What Intel Xe2 means for gamers

Without deciphering the low-level intricacies of what makes Xe2 tick within its complex die, I can briefly describe the benefits that Intel claims will come with Lunar Lake and beyond into Battlemage discrete GPUs. Tom Petersen explains how much Intel learned from its previous efforts with Alchemist GPUs and its first-generation Xe architecture, describing it as "a very big step forward for Intel architecture (and) we discovered lots of different bottlenecks that we never saw before, so this architecture (Xe2) is correcting most of that."

More and more often, you'll see games running right out of the box. Thomas "TAP" Petersen, Intel Fellow

With in-house testing, Intel's engineering team checks for performance improvements in ultra-specific instructions by "microbenchmarking" individual parts of the Xe2 GPU. One instruction moving to hardware for faster processing in Lunar Lake is Draw XI (ExecuteIndirect), commonly used by game engines like Unreal 5 and enjoys a massive 12.5x performance increase over Meteor Lake. These gaming-centric boosts join the previously-mentioned addition of XMX AI engines, now running in hardware instead of software, and led to a real-time demonstration of racing simulator F1 2024 running at over 60 FPS with ray-traced shadows enabled on a Lunar Lake reference machine before its planned release date.

Of course, there were some specifics that Intel wasn't ready to share during my time in Taipei, like an estimate of the average TDP for Lunar Lake or even a figure for the maximum TDP. Plus, while Xe2 offers up to 1.5x performance boosts over previous-gen Meteor Lake U-Series, there weren't any clarifications for H-Series comparisons besides performance being "faster" on Lunar Lake, which feels like a given.

Intel also has some ground to cover regarding credibility in the handheld gaming space due to the disappointing launch of the Core Ultra-powered MSI Claw . However, it's not the end for Intel and PC handhelds, thanks to the realistic prospect of more OEMs signing up for a chance to use Lunar Lake chips and the hardware-boosted rendering benefits within.

Plus, MSI's new Claw 8 AI+ will be the first gaming handheld to run on an Intel Lunar Lake processor and could help overcome any tentative feelings held by potential gamers looking for their next PC handheld. If not, a potential Lunar Lake refresh of the original 7-inch Claw seems to be on the cards, as suggested by MSI representatives during Computex 2024. Either way, I still agree that Intel Arc GPU performance is better than most might assume and will tentatively follow the progress of Xe2 and Battlemage.

Ben is the channel editor for all things tech-related at Windows Central. That includes PCs, the components inside, and any accessory you can connect to a Windows desktop or Xbox console. Not restricted to one platform, he also has a keen interest in Valve's Steam Deck handheld and the Linux-based operating system inside. Fueling this career with coffee since 2021, you can usually find him behind one screen or another. Find him on Mastodon @[email protected] to ask questions or share opinions.

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Cobra's new PGA Tour trailer is a high-tech golf center on 18 wheels

W earing a pair of gray golf pants and a blue patterned shirt, and with his hat pulled down low on his forehead, no one stopped Rickie Fowler as he walked on a cart path between the driving range and the third fairway at Quail Hollow Golf Club to ask for his autograph or a selfie. It was the Monday before the start of the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, and no fans were at the course yet, which meant Fowler could leisurely stroll, uninterrupted, to his new home away from home.

That home weighs about 60,000 pounds, has 18 wheels and is packed with some of the most technologically advanced golf equipment and club-building tools on the PGA Tour. It's Cobra-Puma Golf's new PGA Tour trailer, a customized truck that is designed to act as a support center for Cobra staffers like Fowler, Gary Woodland, Justin Suh, Jason Dufner and others.

Cobra brought the truck to the PGA Tour for the first time at the Wells Fargo Championship in May and was thrilled to show it off. With draws filled with driver, fairway wood, hybrid and iron heads, along with the latest shafts, grinding wheels and customizing tools, the company's PGA Tour reps and fitters builders can build clubs steps away from the practice area at tournaments. There is a locker room in the back where players can try on new apparel and footwear, meetings can be held, and VIPs can be shown the latest gear.

Golfweek was given an exclusive tour of Cobra's new trailer and spoke with the team tasked with keeping Fowler and his stablemates happy and ready to contend at the highest level. This video takes you behind the scenes and shows you the level of detail and the thought that goes into creating a world-class golf equipment facility on wheels.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Cobra's new PGA Tour trailer is a high-tech golf center on 18 wheels

My Photos of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' Went Viral. Here's How I Took Them

Spoiler: It wasn't with an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Taylor Swift always photographs well, but I was especially pleased with these shots.

It's been a long time coming , but I finally attended Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour last week. In the days following the show, the photos I posted online were -- much to my delight -- liked and shared tens of thousands of times across Instagram, X and TikTok, including by dedicated fan accounts. But what really stood out to me was the response to the photography itself. As one fan noted: "The quality is better than my eyesight."

I won't lie -- I was proud of the photos I captured on Swift's first UK tour date this summer. I'm not a professional photographer by any means. I just had a little help from a piece of tech I'd never used before, but that's quickly become a must-have concert accessory.

With nearly a year to ready myself before Swift took the stage in my hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland, my preparations for the show were extensive and highly tactical. As I had early-entry standing tickets for the first night, I knew that once I secured a good spot near the barricade, I wouldn't be leaving again. 

In my bag, I packed energy gels, painkillers and electrolyte tablets to keep me going. I also had two phones with me -- the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra . The former was my regular day-to-day phone, while the latter I borrowed just for its camera.

The majority of Swift's Edinburgh shows were performed in daylight.

Many of the best photos and videos I'd seen of The Eras Tour ahead of attending my show were taken on the iPhone 15 Pro Max . Some attendees even said they'd been influenced to upgrade to the phone specifically because its camera was so good -- particularly the zoom.

I asked CNET phone expert Andrew Lanxon whether it'd be worth trying to get hold of an iPhone 15 before my shows -- or if I should consider a compact camera instead. (Cameras with interchangeable lenses are not allowed at the shows.) He had a better idea and pointed me to a piece he'd just written, calling the Xiaomi 14 Ultra " the best camera phone I've ever used ." He even still had the review unit to lend me.

And so, on the morning of my show, I set off at 7:30 a.m. to spend all day in the front-standing VIP queue, so I could nab a prime barricade spot. When I took the Xiaomi 14 Ultra -- complete with camera grip -- out of my bag during Paramore's opening set, people around me were curious about whether the phone was in fact a compact camera. Then, as soon as I started snapping away, the people behind me who could see the photos started "oohing" and "ahhing" over the quality.

How to capture the best photos of 'The Eras Tour'

She can do it with a broken heart.

Being very close to the stage was one of the main factors in helping me capture my best photos, but the 14 Ultra did much of the heavy lifting. 

The phone has two optical zoom lenses, both with 50-megapixel sensors. For my very best photos, I was zoomed in to the max, even when Taylor was just a few meters away. I made sure to use the camera in pro mode for both photos and videos, so I could capture every shot in raw, as well as JPEG. 

My one criticism is that there was occasional shutter lag, making it slightly less responsive than I would have liked. In spite of this, I managed to grab some exciting moments from the show -- especially during The Tortured Poets Department era, with its high-contrast black-and-white costumes and stark lighting. It made for some very dramatic shots.

The Tortured Poets Department set made for dramatic photos.

My photos from earlier in the show were much softer, thanks to the abundance of daylight we get during the Scottish summer evenings. Depending on the latitude, the weather and if your stadium has a roof, you could be dealing with different conditions. The 14 Ultra didn't struggle when it got darker, though. In fact, it adapted to the changing light adeptly, without me having to fiddle with any of the settings.

Even on the concert's small screen, I could already tell that the depth of detail the 14 Ultra captured was far better than any shot from my iPhone. After the show, I gave my favorite images to Andrew, who is also a photographer, and he helped polish them up so they looked their best.

The shots I captured in full daylight were much softer.

Not every photo I captured was a keeper by any means, largely because I was dancing while shooting. I snapped away very haphazardly while also trying to do heart hands during Fearless and raising my iPhone flashlight during Marjorie. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra proved to be extremely forgiving, with the optical image stabilization compensating for my movement. It did make me wonder whether I could have captured even more spectacular photos if I'd been concentrating, but I have no regrets.

That brings me to perhaps my most important piece of advice for capturing amazing photos of The Eras Tour -- or any other event -- which is perhaps not what you would think. It's to first and foremost, above all else, really make sure you enjoy the show. 

Be sure not to watch the whole show through your phone screen.

The person standing right next to me at the barricade filmed the entire show with their phone, singing along, but never really looking up at what was happening. This kind of coverage of the event isn't really necessary.  The Eras Tour movie already exists, so you don't need to use your own concert experience to remake it. Capturing moments here and there for social media and your own memories is one thing, but not at the expense of soaking it all in.

I say this not to shame the person who was doing it, but I felt like they missed out on the best bit of being right at the barricade. I can't count the number of times Taylor looked right at me during the show, and there were several moments when I made extended eye contact with the other performers on stage, too. It felt like we were dancing together, and in those moments, amid the melee, I was getting a really personal one-on-one experience.

This confetti shot is one of my favorites.

If I'd been looking through my phone screen at them, I would've missed out on that and the feeling that comes with it. It's why most of the in-focus photos I did manage to take of Taylor are from the side rather than the front. At those points in the show when she was facing me, I prioritized being in the moment over immortalizing them.

When I'm back in the front-standing pit at Taylor's London show on Aug. 17, I plan to use the Xiaomi 14 Ultra again with a little more concentration and effort. If I'm lucky, she'll stick her tongue out at me or give me a shimmy with her shoulders, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to capture it for posterity.   

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Ludvig Åberg shows again that he’s designed for golf’s biggest stages

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PINEHURST, N.C. – Ludvig Åberg’s college coach at Texas Tech quickly grew accustomed to the delay. His star player often took a long time to return text messages. It wasn’t out of disrespect. The delay was a sign of Åberg’s discipline.

Unlike most of his peers, Åberg wasn’t glued to his phone or constantly scrolling social media. He was wary of the effect it could have on his pursuit of larger goals.

That discipline has been key to Åberg’s rapid success in his short time as a pro. So has his preternatural ability with a driver. Both were on display Thursday at Pinehurst No. 2, where he shot a first-round 66 to set himself up for another successful major championship debut. Åberg was one shot off Patrick Cantlay’s lead when he walked off the course.

This is Åberg’s first U.S. Open, and comes just two months after he finished second in his Masters (and major championship) debut. Both Augusta National and Pinehurst No. 2 offer unique examinations but Åberg has not been befuddled by either.

Both historic courses are defined by a plethora of short grass, which can tempt players to be overly aggressive. Aiming away from the flag, even with a short iron in hand, is usually the right decision, even if it feels counterintuitive.

“No matter what I am doing, whether that's in the workout room or whenever it is, I try to do it the right way,” Åberg said. “I believe good things will come from that.”

They did Thursday. He made six birdies and only two bogeys, a round that confirmed the scouting report on Åberg. Though he’s been a pro for just 53 weeks, he has consistently displayed the tools to compete in the game’s biggest championships.

His strong mental game is enhanced by caddie Joe Skovron, a veteran presence who provides the course knowledge that a new pro may lack. Skovron was on Rickie Fowler’s bag when Fowler finished runner-up in the U.S. Open here a decade ago.

Few players can match Åberg’s physical gifts, especially off the tee.

He ranks third in Total Driving this season, a metric that measures both distance and accuracy. The U.S. Open’s opening round was another display of that enviable combination. He hit every fairway while averaging 321 yards off the tee. He missed just two greens, as well.

After beginning his round on the 10th hole, Åberg made birdies on 11 and 12 to quickly get under par. He hit his 160-yard approach to 18 feet at 11, then holed a 32-footer on the next hole after hitting the green from 180 yards. He bogeyed the 14th after finding a greenside bunker, then finished his front nine by knocking a wedge to 5 feet and making the birdie.

A second consecutive birdie came on the first hole, where he hit another short iron close. He also birdied the par-5 fifth hole before making bogey on the next hole. He closed his round by hitting a 187-yard tee shot on the par-3 ninth to 6 feet and making the putt.

Ludvig Åberg’s interview after Round 1 of the U.S. Open

So much attention this week has focused on the penalties that Pinehurst No. 2 presents when players mishit a shot. Instead of thick rough, the fairways are lined by sandy native areas that offer a myriad of potential lies. The greens are compared to upside-down bowls, repelling shots that land near the edge and sending them rolling away from the putting surface. Players must decide whether to putt or chip when the miss a green, knowing that a misplayed shot will likely come rolling back to their feet.

Åberg didn’t have to worry about any of those things.

Tony Finau, who played alongside him for the first time Thursday, called Åberg a “stripe show.”

“I thought we both struck it really nicely,” Finau said. “He’s far from a rookie. … He’s been on some of the biggest stages already and shown he’s going to be a world-class player. It was a joy to watch.”

Åberg already ranks sixth in the world and has wins on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour, as well as an appearance on the victorious European squad in last year’s Ryder Cup. Five of his six top-10s this season have come either in Signature Events, THE PLAYERS or majors.

That includes a fifth-place finish last week at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday that came after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from last month’s Wells Fargo Championship. He missed his lone cut of the year at the following week’s PGA Championship. He said the injury does not impact his swing. Some technical work this week shored up his play off the tee, though. Increasing his body rotation through impact was key to his good driving Thursday.

“My tendency is to get a little bit lazy at times,” he said.

That is the exception. Åberg is usually defined by his discipline, the secret to his success.

Sean Martin is a senior editor for the PGA TOUR. He is a 2004 graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Attending a small school gave him a heart for the underdog, which is why he enjoys telling stories of golf's lesser-known players. Follow Sean Martin on Twitter .

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BREAKING: Georgia Tech Lands Commitment Of Four-Star Cornerback Dalen Penson

Jackson caudell | jun 9, 2024.

Georgia Tech has been on a roll all day on Sunday and they continued that on Sunday night with the commitment of four-star cornerback Dalen Penson, a four-star cornerback out of Sandy Creek High School in Georgia. With his commitment, Penson is now the highest-rated member of Georgia Tech's recruiting class according to 247Sports.

BREAKING: Four-star Sandy Creek (Ga.) CB Dalen Penson has committed to #GaTech over Notre Dame, Kentucky, others. Story coming on @jacketsonline pic.twitter.com/bIwbhxjUHx — Russell Johnson (@RivalsJohnson) June 10, 2024

This is a massive commitment for Georgia Tech and their second four-star commitment of the 2025 class, along with offensive lineman Justin Hasenhuetl. Penson is an athletic playmaker at 5'10 165 LBS and committed to the Yellow Jackets following his official visit. Georgia Tech had to hold off plenty of challengers for Penson as well. Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, Memphis, Notre Dame, Penn State and West Virginia were some of the other schools that had offered Penson.

According to 247Sports, Penson is the No. 120 player in the country, the No. 14 cornerback in the country, and the No. 14 player in the state of Georgia.

Georgia Tech has been making additions to its 2025 class all day. They have landed three-star athlete Jamauri Brice, safety Fenix Felton, tight end Connor Roush, and offensive lineman Kevin Peay. This class is starting to take shape and Brent Key and his staff are taking aim at trying to build out a top-25 recruiting class.

Here are some stats and info on Penson courtesy of 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins:

"Also competes in track and field events.Georgia AAA state champion in the triple jump as a sophomore. Also took silver in the 110-meter hurdles and qualified for the New Balance Nationals where he placed fifth in the event.Top marks include 11.13 in the 100, 14.21 in the 110h, 41.93 in the 300h, 20-6 in the LJ and 45-10 in the TJ.

2023: Georgia Region 5-AAA Athlete of the Year. Georgia Region 5-AAA second-team QB. Two-way player for Sandy Creek, getting snaps at QB and DB. Passed for 1,052 yards and 8 TD while also running for 814 yards and 8 TD while averaging 7.9 YPC.2022: Caught 22 passes for 432 yards and 4 TD."

2025 Georgia Tech commitments

Four-Star Offensive Lineman  Justin Hasenhuetl

Three-Star defensive end  Andre Fuller

Three-star quarterback  Grady Adamson

Three-star offensive lineman  Jimmy Bryson

Three-star Safety  Rasean Dinkins

Three-star Running Back  JP Powell

Safety  Fenix Felton

Three-Star Athlete  Jamauri Brice

Three-Star Tight end Connor Roush

Three-star offensive lineman Kevin Peay

Four-Star Cornerback Dalen Penson

JACKSON CAUDELL

Jackson Caudell covers Georgia Tech Athletics and the Atlanta Hawks for FanNation

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