Are we on the brink of a revolution in the world of gaming graphics? It may sound unbelievable, but popular YouTuber ETA Prime, boasting over 1.28 million subscribers, has outlined the remarkable capability of running Cyberpunk 2077—and other graphically intense games—on ultra settings without a dedicated GPU.
Integrated Graphics on the Rise
When the average Australian thinks about computers that lack a graphics card, they often picture basic setups meant solely for office tasks or streaming videos. However, AMD’s newly unveiled Strix Halo APU is set to change that perspective. Launched at CES 2025, this next-generation chip is outfitted with up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units alongside a Zen 5 processor featuring 16 cores and 32 threads. This new chip approaches the performance of a mid-range dedicated graphics card, but without the need for one.
I first came across this eye-opening breakthrough while tuning into ETA Prime’s YouTube channel, where he put this impressive mini-PC through its paces. To my astonishment, this compact system, consuming a mere 130 watts of power, exhibited exceptional graphics performance that could easily compete with traditional gaming rigs.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultra Gaming Unleashed
To demonstrate the capabilities of this machine, ETA Prime ran a series of tests that yielded impressive results. Here’s a summary of the performance benchmarks:
- Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p Ultra registered 58 frames per second (fps), hitting over 60 fps on High settings.
- Marvel Rivals at 1440p High averaged a commendable 65 fps.
- Grand Theft Auto V (Enhanced Edition) at 1440p Very High stayed around 90 fps.
- Demanding titles such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and DOOM Eternal also ran seamlessly, proving that this system can comfortably hold its ground against high-end gaming PCs.
With such performance capabilities, it’s difficult not to envision a future where gaming PCs—particularly laptops—can do away with dedicated graphics cards. Although we’re still in the early stages, this prototype indicates that integrated graphics technology could pave the way for more portable and energy-efficient systems.
However, a major question remains: how accessible will this Strix Halo APU be for regular consumers, and at what price point? Only time will reveal if this groundbreaking technology will reach the general public and stand up against traditional gaming constructions in terms of cost and performance.
For now, ETA Prime’s findings provide a glimpse into the future of gaming hardware—a future where the hefty, power-hungry GPU might just become a relic of the past.
