Announcing Version 4.0 of Intel Graphics Performance Analyzers (Intel GPA)

[Neal_Pierman]

Version 4 of Intel Graphics Performance Analyzers (Intel GPA) is now available for download.

Intel GPA is a suite of software tools that provides game developers with platform-level performance analysis tools to help optimize application performance. Version 4.0 adds significant new features to the product, based upon recommendations from game developers such as yourself.

If you're already a registered user, you can download Version 4.0 by browsing to the Intel Products Download Page. If this think link doesn't work or if you're a new user, download this latest version by browsing to the Intel GPA Home Page and selecting the "Download Now" button.

What's New

Version 4.0 of the Intel Graphics Performance Analyzers contains the following new features:

• General
  • New workflows simplify analyzing games
  • Microsoft DirectX* 11 support allows more games to be analyzed and optimized with the product
  • Fully-configurable triggers to automatically capture frame or trace files (such as "capture all frames that are slower than 20 FPS)
  • Screenshot thumbnails provided for frame capture files, providing a visual queue for which frame to analyze
  • New "how to" help videos assist both new users and seasoned veterans to more quickly take advantage of the new release
• Intel GPA System Analyzer Heads-Up Display (HUD)
  • The new HUD interface provides for an easier, more intuitive analysis when running on a single PC
  • Support for new GPU metrics when running on Intel HD Graphics 2000/3000 hardware provides for an even more detailed analysis of your game's performance bottlenecks
• Intel GPA Frame Analyzer
  • Multiple Render Target (MRT) view support for games that utilize this feature
  • Vendor-specific texture types now supported
  • Support for new GPU metrics when running on Intel HD Graphics 2000/3000 hardware provides for an even more detailed analysis of your game's performance bottlenecks
• Intel GPA Platform Analyzer (beta release)
  • The features of the Intel GPA System Analyzer Platform View (originally released with Intel GPA 3.0) have now been implemented as a stand-alone application
  • A new, optimized tracing API makes it easier to add instrumentation to your own games and graphics applications.

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To start using the new workflow and features, "take the tour" of Intel GPA 4.0 by referring to the new Quick Start Guide that's installed with the product (access it through the Windows Start Menu for the Intel GPA product).

If you are upgrading from Version 3.0 to Version 4.0, see an overview of the GPA 4.0 features for information on the changes included in this release.

NOTES:

• This release includes version 4.0 of the Intel Graphics Performance Analyzers (Intel GPA). We recommend that all existing users download and install this new version, as this update includes several new features, as well as performance and reliability improvements.
• To use Intel GPA, download the latest graphics driver for Intel graphics chipsets from the graphics driver update page. A script on this page examines your system configuration, and will update the Intel Integrated Graphics drivers to the latest version. If the automatic graphics driver update process fails, manually download the graphics driver by browsing to the Intel Download Center, then search for your particular chipset and select the latest released driver for your operating system. When using non-Intel graphics devices, be sure to reference the vendor's site for the latest graphics drivers for that device.
• Please review the Release Notes that are included with this product, as these notes contain important information for installing, configuring, and using this product, including information on known product issues and workarounds.
• For all users of Version 4.0 of Intel GPA, we recommend that you view the Quick Start Guide for the product, which can be accessed from the Windows Start Menu for the product. Note that this version includes improved workflows compared to previous versions of the product, so users of Version 2.x and 3.x of the product should refer to this document.
• Frame capture files from previous versions of Intel GPA are not compatible with this latest version, so you will need to regenerate your frame capture files using this version of Intel GPA.
• For additional information on the Intel GPA product, visit the Intel GPA Home Page; for product support, visit the Intel GPA Support Forum.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

[Neal_Pierman]

Hello,

I forgot to mention that Version 4 now has some great videos showing how to use some of the key features of the new release. You can check these out by browsing to the Intel GPA Home Page, and looking on the right-had side of the page.

Also, please let us know of any feedback you might have on using the product; just start a new thread in this forum and I'll forward your comments to the marketing and development teams.

Thanks!

Neal (on behalf of the entire Intel GPA team)