Intel Xe3P Detected in New Linux Kernel Updates, Confirms Compatibility with Nova Lake CPUs

Recent Linux kernel patches unveil that the Xe3P graphics architecture is associated with Nova Lake, Intel’s forthcoming CPU family designated for both desktop and mobile applications.

Intel Xe3P GPU Support Integrated into Linux and Mesa; Nova Lake Will Feature Limited Ray Tracing Support

Intel has initiated the integration of its “Xe3P”graphics architecture, which was revealed alongside the broader Xe3 framework. While the Xe3 architecture is confirmed for the upcoming Panther Lake series, the Xe3P has primarily been associated with the Crescent Island data center GPU. However, the latest developments in the Linux Kernel have solidified that Xe3P support will also extend to Intel’s Nova Lake, marking a significant step forward as it replaces the Arrow Lake processors, anticipated for release next year.

Code listing Intel(R) Graphics chipsets with identifiers and model names. — Image Credit: Phoronix.com

According to Phoronix, Intel has submitted its first graphics driver patches for the Xe3P kernel. These patches are projected to be included in the upcoming Linux 6.19 kernel cycle, aiming to enhance open-source support for Intel’s next-generation GPU framework. This proactive approach will ensure that Linux users benefit from immediate support upon the Nova Lake’s deployment. Moreover, the Mesa 26.0 has introduced initial support for Xe3P, indicating that the patches also cover a variety of Nova Lake families, namely S, U, H, HX, and UL variants, within the Mesa’s Iris Gallium3D (OpenGL) and ANV (Vulkan) drivers. This broadens the ecosystem for Intel’s upcoming CPUs and integrated graphics.

At present, the newly introduced patches establish new PCI Device IDs, laying the foundation for future enhancements, although they do not signal the culmination of feature readiness. Notably, similar extensive preparations were seen with previous Xe3 releases catering to Panther Lake and Wildcat Lake. It’s worth noting that Xe3P support is currently experimental; both the Kernel and Mesa drivers necessitate a “force_probe”environment variable for manual activation. This suggests that while the groundwork is laid, production-ready support is still on the horizon. Anticipated kernel release cycles should lead to a more stable implementation of Xe3P features.

Code snippet showing intel_device_info with parameters like has_local_mem and has_ray_tracing set to false. — Image Credit: Phoronix.com

A critical point to consider is that Nova Lake variants will have restricted Ray Tracing capabilities. Notably, the Nova Lake-S, HX, and UL models appear to lack the requisite hardware support for Ray Tracing, whereas only the Nova Lake-U and Nova Lake-H variants are equipped for this advanced feature.

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