Intel Arc Celestial “Xe3” & Battlemage “G31” GPUs Unveiled: Intel Doubles Down on Discrete Graphics Segment

The buzz around Intel possibly stepping away from the discrete GPU market is beginning to quiet down as more evidence of their upcoming Arc Celestial "Xe3" and the top-tier Battlemage "G31" chips has surfaced online.

Intel Confirms Commitment to Xe3 & Xe4 GPU Development with Initial Sneak Peeps of Arc Celestial "Xe3" & Battlemage "G31" Discrete GPUs

In a recent revelation, Intel introduced the Battlemage B-Series line, showcasing the Arc B580 and B570 graphics cards. These new additions are strategically priced under $250 and are set to vie against both the current offerings and future models from gaming giants AMD and NVIDIA. Intel seems to be focusing on the broader gaming community with their Arc Battlemage range, a strategy that echoes AMD’s plan with its upcoming RDNA 4 "Radeon RX 8000" series. However, Intel might just have a trick up its sleeve.

A curious shipment from Malaysia suggests that a substantial delivery of Battlemage G31, not necessarily tied to research and development, has taken place. This indicates that Intel might soon offer a more advanced B-Series graphics card.

The Arc B580 and B570 GPUs are built around the BMG-G21 SoCs, but the G31 SoC reportedly incorporates more Xe2 cores and might power models like the B770. Intel’s own Tom Petersen hinted during a live show that a stronger Arc B-series graphics card is on the horizon, and it seems this chip could be its heart.

Now, turning our attention to Intel’s Celestial or Xe3 discrete products, a number of "Panther Falls" discrete GPUs have been detailed in shipping lists. This codename aligns with Celestial SKUs, and a good selection of these has been noted by keen-eyed observers. Intel has confirmed that the development work on Celestial is wrapped up, with their team forging ahead on the Druid "Xe4" series.

For those eagerly anticipating more details, it should be noted that Intel’s B-Series GPU reveal is imminent, and the C-Series discrete graphics are also in progress. With previous codenames like Niagara Falls for Alchemist and Churchill Falls for Battlemage, Panther Falls fits snugly into Intel’s naming scheme.

Among these listings are various qualification samples, notably PCBs and complete boards. Tomasz Gawronski recently spotted another Arc Celestial discrete GPU, believed to be a 128 EU or 16 Xe3 model. Given that Intel’s Panther Lake CPUs will support Arc Xe3 GPUs with up to 12 cores, this find might represent an entry-level discrete model.

Considering all these latest updates, it’s becoming increasingly clear that rumors of Intel ditching the Arc line are misplaced. With the launch of their second generation of Arc products and ongoing developments for future lines, Intel is not only dispelling these rumors but also tantalizing the market with prospects of high-end Battlemage family GPUs. More revelations from Intel are likely at CES 2025, while the B580 and B570 should ensure Intel’s formidable presence in the mainstream GPU segment.

Intel ARC Gaming GPU Lineup