Intel is pushing forward in the discrete GPU sector, as recent shipping manifests unearthed developments on a new Battlemage design and an enigmatic SKU.
## Intel Pursues Battlemage “BMG-G31” Enhancement; Eyeing AI & Professional Applications
Last year, Intel took us by surprise with the unveiling of two fresh Battlemage GPUs, the Arc B580 and B570. These quickly piqued interest, especially as NVIDIA’s and AMD’s next-gen offerings weren’t yet available. Now, as the second quarter draws to a close, we’ve heard little from Intel about their desktop GPU plans, leaving many to think that Team Blue might lack ambition. However, insights from new shipping logs tell a different story.
A glance at these documents reveals a “BMG-G31” chip in the works, which appears more advanced than the current Battlemage lineup. Rumor has it this version could boast 24-32 Xe2 cores, a 256-bit memory interface, and 16 GB of GDDR6. Yet, whispers about Intel shelving the BMG-G31 began circulating online, suggesting the company may not release it for consumers. Moreover, the manifests label BMG-G31 for “R&D purpose,” hinting at a focus on AI and professional applications instead.
In conjunction, another shipping entry highlights an unusual variant, the BMG “C32.” The naming raises eyebrows, mixing Battlemage and Celestial monikers. Despite the odd naming, insiders, including @mikdt, claim it belongs to the Battlemage family, possibly as a reworked version of “BMG-G31.” Intel seems to be crafting multiple Battlemage versions, but it’s unclear if any are destined for the consumer desktop market.
The future of Intel’s discrete GPU range is intriguing, especially with their ongoing work on the Xe3 “Celestial” architecture, which Panther Lake SoCs might use. With Intel’s fresh CEO steering the ship, there’s a noticeable shift toward AI, indicating that the company might prioritize GPUs tailored for AI-driven tasks.
