The first Intel Arc Battlemage product, the Arc B580 graphics card, has appeared in a shipping manifest from NBD.ltd, confirming Intel's ongoing dedication to discrete GPUs.
This leak likely refers to the upcoming desktop gaming GPU based on Intel's next-gen Battlemage (Xe2-HPG) architecture. The shipping manifest entry, "INTEL BMG B580," suggests a mid-range offering, succeeding the Arc A580. The listed box dimensions (192 x 89 x 381 mm) further point to a standard desktop graphics card format.
While Intel's Arc Alchemist GPUs performed decently, they struggled to compete directly with offerings from NVIDIA and AMD. However, hopes are high for the Arc Battlemage series, especially given the powerful Xe2-HPG architecture.
Intel's approach to the next-gen GPU market remains unclear, especially with NVIDIA's dominant high-end Blackwell cards. AMD is reportedly focusing on the budget and mid-range segments with its RDNA 4-based Navi 44 and 48 GPUs. Intel may follow a similar strategy.
More information about Battlemage is expected by the end of 2024 or early 2025, potentially coinciding with NVIDIA and AMD's next-gen GPU launches, rumored for December 2024.
