Intel has apparently ditched its plans for a brand new high-end gaming GPU primarily based on the Battlemage structure, based on the newest leak. Reportedly codenamed BMG-G31, the brand new Intel GPU initially seemed set to tackle the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 and AMD Radeon RX 9070, however it now appears as if the Intel Arc B580 is as quick as the corporate’s GPUs are going to get.
Whereas the Intel Arc B580 is broadly considered one of the best graphics card for below $300 proper now, the corporate has struggled to supply sufficient inventory to fulfill demand, with playing cards often going for no less than $335.99, effectively above the unique MSRP of $249. That’s a disgrace, as this ostensibly budget-focused Intel card comes with 12GB of VRAM, in comparison with simply 8GB on the RTX 4060 and normal Radeon RX 7600.
Nonetheless, Intel was additionally rumored to be engaged on one other, extra highly effective gaming GPU for the Battlemage lineup, with appearances of the BMG-G31 in delivery manifests, and tech leaker Bionic_Squash claiming the brand new GPU would have 32 of Intel’s Xe cores, in comparison with simply 20 within the B580. At one time, the brand new GPU even inadvertently appeared in official Intel documentation, which has since been taken down.
Now, nevertheless, the newest phrase on the rumor mill is that BMG-G31 is useless. This newest little bit of gossip comes from common Intel leaker Jaykihn, who stated the brand new GPU “died in Q3 of final 12 months” in a publish on X (previously Twitter). In a follow-up publish, Jaykihn clarifies that this assertion refers back to the “retail product,” implying that there could also be OEM G31 GPUs, however that prospects gained’t be capable to purchase the graphics playing cards for themselves.
In the meantime, Intel’s newest annual stockholders report incorporates a letter from the corporate’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, which confirms the corporate’s dedication to releasing its Panther Lake CPUs in 2025 and Nova Lake in 2026, however notably doesn’t comprise a single reference to any forthcoming GPUs.
As at all times with rumor tales, keep in mind that the entire above relies on leaks, and none of it has been formally confirmed by Intel. Given Intel’s present predicament, it’s comprehensible that it could select to give attention to ensuring it could actually hit its CPU targets, however the firm additionally wants a good GPU structure to compete with AMD and Nvidia. There’s additionally a notable lack of competitors past Nvidia and AMD within the gaming GPU market in the meanwhile, and competitors within the trade is sweet for avid gamers in terms of bringing down costs and inspiring innovation.
Within the meantime, try our AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT assessment to see why this new GPU is our present high advice if you’ll find 9070 XT inventory. You can even learn our RTX 5090 assessment to see how Nvidia’s newest flagship performs, and test our the place to purchase 5090 web page to see the place inventory may be discovered.
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