Intel is reportedly preparing a new Arc series graphics card based on its "Battlemage" architecture, featuring a significant memory upgrade. This rumored card is said to target the productivity market and could potentially be a member of the Arc PRO series.
Battlemage Architecture
According to Quantum Bits, Intel is planning to double the memory capacity of its Battlemage-based Arc GPUs. While the report doesn't explicitly mention the Arc PRO series, the 24GB model is expected to be aimed at the "productivity market," which aligns with the PRO series' focus.
The current Battlemage card, the Arc B580, uses the BGM-G21 GPU, a 192-bit memory bus, and 12GB of GDDR6 memory. A 160-bit, 10GB model (Arc B570) is also expected to launch next year, but there are no immediate plans for a higher-end gaming GPU at this time.
Targeting AI and Productivity
Insider information suggests that Intel has shifted its product strategy to meet the rising demand in the AI inference market. By 2025, they plan to release a 24GB version of the Battlemage GPU. The 24GB version is likely to target data centers, edge computing, and the education market.
While existing versions of Battlemage will serve gaming and consumer markets, the 24GB version will primarily focus on productivity tasks, specifically AI inference for Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI applications. Intel has also released tools for creative AI work, like its updated AI Playground for text-to-image generation.
Technical Details and Future Outlook
The 24GB model would likely utilize increased memory capacity per module or a dual-module design. However, there is no confirmed release date or detailed specifications available at this time.
