According to foreign media, Intel plans to unveil the latest developments in its new generation Arc Battlemage GPU series at Computex 2025, primarily focusing on the professional workstation market and AI application scenarios. The new Arc Pro series will adopt the Battlemage graphics architecture, bringing significant performance improvements and supporting larger VRAM capacities to meet the demands of high-load tasks such as content creation, AI training, and professional rendering.
New Arc Pro Series Details and VRAM Boost #
The new Arc Pro series GPUs will be powered by two core chips: BMG-G21 and BMG-G31. The BMG-G21 is already used in the existing Arc B580 and B570 graphics cards, which are equipped with 12GB and 10GB of GDDR6 VRAM respectively, utilizing 192-bit and 160-bit memory buses. The BMG-G31, as a higher-end chip, will support up to 24GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a 256-bit memory bus, providing stronger computing power and data throughput. Compared to the current top-tier Arc Pro A60’s 12GB VRAM, the new card’s VRAM capacity is doubled. Combined with the Battlemage architecture’s Xe2 core design, this will enhance multitasking efficiency and complex computation.
Battlemage Architecture and Performance Gains #
The Battlemage architecture is the core of Intel’s Xe2-HPG (High Performance Graphics) technology, manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process. It offers optimizations in both power efficiency and performance compared to the previous Alchemist architecture. The Xe2 core integrates 16 ALUs (Arithmetic Logic Units) in each execution unit, twice that of Alchemist, while the number of execution units per Xe core is halved to 8, achieving higher parallel computing efficiency. Based on existing information, the BMG-G31 chip may integrate up to 32 Xe2 cores, while the BMG-G21 is equipped with 20 cores. This design makes Battlemage more competitive in handling tasks such as AI model training, real-time rendering, and 4K video editing.
Professional Applications and AI Optimization #
In professional applications, the 24GB VRAM configuration is particularly noteworthy. Compared to NVIDIA’s RTX 4000 series (such as the RTX 4000 SFF ADA with 20GB VRAM) and AMD’s Radeon Pro W7900 (48GB VRAM), Intel’s Battlemage graphics cards are positioned in the mid-to-high end for VRAM capacity, capable of meeting the needs of small to medium-sized workstations while maintaining lower costs. Furthermore, the Battlemage architecture’s optimization for AI workloads enables it to perform exceptionally well in machine learning, deep learning inference, and generative AI content creation. For example, Intel previously demonstrated AI acceleration support with the Xe2-LPG iGPU introduced in Lunar Lake processors, and the discrete graphics card version of Battlemage will further enhance performance in professional scenarios.
Performance and Software Ecosystem #
In terms of performance, Battlemage’s mid-range model, the BMG-G21, has already shown performance similar to the previous-generation flagship Arc A770 in Geekbench tests, with a GPU clock frequency of up to 2850 MHz and 12GB of VRAM. The performance of the BMG-G31 is expected to be even stronger, potentially nearing NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4070 or AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XT, making it competitive particularly in 1440p gaming and professional rendering tasks. Intel has also continuously optimized Battlemage’s software ecosystem through ongoing driver updates. Compared to the Alchemist series, Battlemage’s driver stability has significantly improved, providing a more reliable experience for professional users.
Beyond hardware upgrades, Intel also plans to showcase application cases of Battlemage in AI and content creation during Computex. For example, combined with Intel’s OpenVINO toolkit, Battlemage graphics cards can accelerate the deployment of AI models, suitable for video post-processing, 3D modeling, and virtual reality content development. Additionally, Battlemage supports PCIe 5.0 and DisplayPort 2.1 standards, enabling compatibility with the latest workstation hardware, ensuring high-bandwidth data transfer and multi-display output.
Market Positioning and Future Outlook #
In terms of market positioning, the Intel Arc Pro series competes with NVIDIA’s RTX A series and AMD’s Radeon Pro series. NVIDIA’s dominance in the high-end workstation market stems from its CUDA ecosystem and AI acceleration technology, while AMD attracts users with high VRAM capacity and an open ecosystem. Intel, with Battlemage’s cost advantages and AI optimization features, is attempting to secure a foothold in the mid-range market. The pricing for the Arc Pro series is expected to be lower than competing products of similar caliber; referencing the Arc B580’s suggested retail price, the new high-end models could fall in the $400 to $600 range.
However, Intel’s competitive landscape in the discrete graphics card market is not without its challenges. In Q2 2024, the market share of Arc A-series graphics cards had fallen to near zero, partly due to channel inventory accumulation and insufficient AIB (Add-in-Board) support. The launch of the Battlemage series demonstrates Intel’s continued investment in the discrete graphics card business. Recently, Intel’s Vietnam factory has begun producing limited edition graphics cards for the BMG-G31 chip, indicating that mass production of the high-end Arc B770 is progressing. This graphics card is expected to make its official debut during Computex 2025, possibly offering a 24GB VRAM version as a “Developer Edition,” designed specifically for developers and professional users.
Looking ahead, Intel has confirmed that development work on its next-generation Celestial (Xe3) architecture is largely complete and is expected to launch with Panther Lake processors in 2026. Battlemage, as a transitional product, consolidates Intel’s position in the mainstream and mid-range markets, and also lays the foundation for its subsequent high-end product lines. Computex 2025 is anticipated to be an important stage for Intel to showcase the potential of its Arc GPUs, where more technical details and actual performance data will be revealed.
The Intel Arc Battlemage series, with its higher VRAM capacity, optimized Xe2 architecture, and dedicated AI features, brings new options to the professional workstation market. Its mid-range market positioning and cost advantage may attract budget-conscious creative professionals and AI developers. As Computex approaches, more details about Battlemage are worth close attention from tech enthusiasts.