Intel isn’t backing down from the dedicated GPU scene just yet. Recent shipping manifests offer a glimpse into their ongoing efforts, suggesting development is underway for a fresh Battlemage model and another intriguing but unspecified SKU.
Intel Gears Up with Battlemage "BMG-G31"; Potentially Eyeing AI and Professional Fields
Last year’s debut of two brand-new Battlemage GPUs, the Arc B580 and B570, caught many by surprise. Their arrival generated a buzz mainly because NVIDIA and AMD hadn’t yet launched their next-gen solutions. Fast forward to the near end of Q2 this year, and Intel has been notably quiet about its plans for desktop GPUs, leading many to assume they’ve lost interest. However, shipping manifests paint a different picture.
What do they mean by this pic.twitter.com/tOmqVBsMB2
— Haze (@Haze2K1) April 18, 2025
Among the discoveries is a mention of the "BMG-G31", boasting superior silicon compared to current Battlemage offerings. This variant supposedly includes 24-32 Xe2 cores, a 256-bit memory bus, and 16 GB of GDDR6 memory. Rumors have circulated about its cancellation, with claims that Intel intends to keep this model out of consumer hands. The entries for BMG-G31 in shipping manifests are noted as "R&D purpose", suggesting it’s primarily aimed at AI and professional applications.
Adding another twist, another manifest mentions a peculiar variant labeled BMG "C32". The naming is a head-scratcher as it seems to blend both Battlemage and Celestial identifiers. Nevertheless, insider @mikdt believes that this too belongs to the Battlemage family, potentially representing a revamped "BMG-G31". It’s clear Intel is exploring multiple Battlemage versions, though it’s uncertain if any are headed for the desktop GPU market.
The real question lies in how Intel will navigate its discrete GPU strategy. There’s also buzz about the upcoming Xe3 "Celestial" architecture that will feature in Panther Lake SoCs. With a new CEO steering the ship, Intel’s focus appears to be shifting towards AI, which might mean that their upcoming GPU launches will cater more to AI-driven tasks.
