Imagination Tech working on mainstream PC gaming with ‘ambitious graphics card and SoC design companies’ — shows off progress with DirectX 11 workloads

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Demo DX11 video is just the start of this graphics chip maker's freshly inked long term roadmap embracing PCs.

PowerVR - Fire Strike DX11 demo screenshot
PowerVR - Fire Strike DX11 demo screenshot (Image credit: IMG video demo on YouTube)

The UK’s Imagination Technologies (IMG) is teasing its roadmap to “bring high‑performance, scalable, PowerVR graphics to desktop, workstation, and cloud environments.” We’ve seen and heard of a few false starts from IMG since the start of the 2020s, but this is the firm’s clearest messaging yet, with videos showcasing its work with Microsoft's DirectX, and stating that this work is “essential for mainstream PC gaming.”

In 2020 we noted IMG launching its B-Series GPU IP. That was a significant change of tack, after the disastrous mobile upset suddenly delivered by Apple. This IP would become the foundation for Chinese desktop GPU makers like Moore Threads and Innosilicon, despite their boasts of ‘domestic’ graphics tech.

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In 2022, as it celebrated its 30th anniversary, IMG would confirm that its tech was behind the aforementioned Chinese desktop cards. By this time there had been new generations from the Far East, with models like the 'double power' Fantasy 1 Type B card launching.

A year later Imagination’s IMG DXD, a DirectX‑capable GPU IP line explicitly aimed at desktop, laptop, and cloud gaming markets, were announced. Analysts at JPR thought that this marked IMG’s full hearted re-entry into the high-end PC market. DXD was its first real PC-ready architecture effort since Kryo in 2002.

Handling DirectX workloads with confidence

Today, IMG wanted to let graphics enthusiasts know it has reached a milestone in modern PC graphics support. From the few reviews and hands-on tests we’ve seen of Chinese PowerVR architecture cards, they have often been pretty poor at supporting PC gaming titles, especially newer games.

“We started adding hardware‑based support for DirectX to our GPUs with our last generation, D-Series,” IMG reminds viewers. “Below you can see it in action, in real silicon, handling complex DirectX 11 workloads with confidence.”

Imagination DXD GPU IP running 3DMark Fire Strike, a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs - YouTube Imagination DXD GPU IP running 3DMark Fire Strike, a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs - YouTube
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This is the same video referenced in the embedded LinkedIn post.

IMG indicates this demo evidences the beginning of its commitment to its long‑term roadmap embracing higher power devices like PCs. It asks that we stay tuned. Of course we will. But even if the demos get better and better, moving up through DX12, and adding other modern frills – it will probably be dismissed by the Crimson Desert devs…

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Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bit_user
    The article said:
    This IP would become the foundation for Chinese desktop GPU makers like Moore Threads and Innosilicon, despite their boasts of ‘domestic’ graphics tech.
    Yup.

    So, what this means, in practice, is that the next generation (or the one after that) of Chinese dGPUs are going to be more competent implementations of the DX feature set.
    Reply
  • ekio
    Since Ngreedia spits at the face of the gamers who made them, competitors are very welcome.
    Reply
  • DS426
    Gamers desperately need a gaming GPU manufacturer that prioritizes PC gaming and not AI. I hope the next generation provides strong DX12 and Vulkan support, continuing to gain momentum and eventually fully breaking into Western PC gaming markets.

    It'll be interesting to see how they balance affordability with performance, i.e. How long it take from today to achieve very competitive perf-per-dollar? Chinese dGPU's in particular have to contend with tariffs in the U.S., but perhaps they'll start making inroads elsewhere for the time being.

    Also, now that makes sense how Moore Threads was able to develop a gaming GPU so quickly. Makes a lot of sense to take existing IP and blast it out using China's powerhouse manufacturing.
    Reply
  • usertests
    I fear they won't escape the Chinese market.

    We could always use more competition. At the low end, the RTX 3050 6GB is unchallenged by other 75W cards. In the lower-middle, there's the B580 as the only real 12GB option around, unless Nvidia resurrects the RTX 3060 12GB. Maybe followed by the Lisuan LX 7G100 with 12 GB.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    DS426 said:
    Gamers desperately need a gaming GPU manufacturer that prioritizes PC gaming and not AI.
    Heh, good luck with that. Most (if not all) of the Chinese dGPU manufacturers seem to be trying to ride that money train, as well.

    Usertests said:
    I fear they won't escape the Chinese market.
    They will, if they're any good. Seriously, China loves to sell its products all over the world. These are gaming GPUs, not server/AI products. No reason to expect they won't make it outside of China, provided they hit a competitive price/performance point.

    Usertests said:
    We could always use more competition. At the low end, the RTX 3050 6GB is unchallenged by other 75W cards.
    Don't look for them to be the most power-efficient. I think they'll have an easier time competing on perf/$ than on perf/W.
    Reply
  • chaos215bar2
    bit_user said:
    Don't look for them to be the most power-efficient. I think they'll have an easier time competing on perf/$ than
    Have we forgotten that Imagination was primarily building mobile GPUs for Apple before they were acquired, and that they also licensed their IP to Apple afterwards? Power efficiency is probably the first thing one should expect, assuming they've managed to modernize their designs effectively.
    Reply