Latest Intel Arc graphics driver is all about improving MSI Claw handheld performance

Intel Graphics Driver 32.0.101.6734 (WHQL Certified) is here, and if you've got an MSI Claw gaming handheld, you should download and install it. The latest Arc Graphics driver improves handheld gaming device performance with the 'Lunar Lake' Intel Core Ultra 200V Series processor and fixes an issue with some games on Lunar Lake notebooks not showing all supported display resolutions.

2

MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld.

This is interesting because there's nothing here for desktop Arc owners, no support for new games, and no fixes for the growing list of issues with the latest 'Battlemage' architecture in games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. It's also interesting because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and MSI Claw 7 AI+, released earlier this year, are the only two PC gaming handhelds we know of using Intel Core Ultra 200V Series processors with integrated Arc graphics.

Most handhelds, from the Steam Deck to the ROG Ally and Legion GO, use AMD Ryzen technology with integrated RDNA graphics. That said, the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ feedback has been positive, with the portable Arc Graphics handheld offering competitive performance in a wide range of games. This update is very cool to see, as the improved power management will translate to performance gains.

Power management optimization for Intel Core Ultra 200V series (codename Lunar Lake) handheld gaming devices for improved performance and frame pacing with lower power modes.

Based on this update, it sounds like, in low-power states, the Intel Core Ultra 200V series wasn't efficiently handling the power balance between the CPU and GPU. In that sense, what was probably happening was that the CPU was getting more power than the GPU, leading to frame pacing and stuttering. So yeah, all in all, this is great news for MSI Claw gamers.

Head here to check out the full Intel Graphics Driver 32.0.101.6734 (WHQL Certified) Release Notes. Here's a breakdown of the specs for both MSI Claw models.