Most MegaGames visitors are high-end gamers and PC enthusiasts, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the odd gaming session on a low-end laptop with Intel HD graphics now and again. Looking to boost that experience for all onboard gamers everywhere, Intel has released a new graphics driver, version 14.46.02.64.4729, which adds improved support for various APIs and should lead to higher frame rates for a large number of titles.
Intel HD graphics have never really held a candle to modern add-in cards, but they aren't designed to. They allow people to play games like they would have with dedicated GPUs from a few years before. This latest update will bring that emulated era forward a generation, as it adds support for new OpenGL and Vulkan versions, improved Direct3D12 support too, and added optimizations for a number of specific games.
Intel claims that this driver should improve performance in games like Fortnite, Gigantic, Minecraft Story Mode: Season 2, Pyre, Master x Master, Secret World Legends and Pit People.
You'll need Intel HD Graphics 620 or better to see the big gains in performance that Intel is touting, but others will be able to appreciate the bug fixes this release also brings with it.
DX9 games like Halo 2 will no longer have texture flickering, while other titles with "graphical anomalies" (thanks Hexus) like Guilty Gear Xrd, Fallout 4, Euro Truck Simulator 2, Guild Wars 2, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Vikings – Wolves of Midgard, Rainbow Six Siege, For Honor, Watch Dogs 2, Lego Minifigures Online (DX12 mode) and many others, should all play better than before.
