Intel’s high-performance “Battlemage” graphics architecture may be taking a detour through the professional workstation market before potentially reaching gamers. According to a new leak from a respected hardware insider, Intel is preparing to launch a new Arc Pro B70 graphics card built around the long-rumored BMG-G31 GPU, a larger and more powerful die often referred to by enthusiasts as “Big Battlemage.”
This move suggests Intel could be prioritizing the professional market for its most ambitious discrete GPU design, where higher costs can be more easily absorbed and the competitive landscape differs from the brutal gaming segment.
The Leak: “Big Battlemage” Powers a Pro Card
The information comes from leaker Jaykihn, who has a strong track record with Intel Arc details. They confirmed that an Arc Pro B70 workstation card is slated for launch and that it will utilize the BMG-G31 GPU.
This chip has been the subject of gaming community hopes, as it is significantly larger than the BGM-G21 die found in current consumer Battlemage cards like the Arc B580. Rumored specifications for BMG-G31 point to around 5,120 cores (or Xe2 units) and a 256-bit memory bus. This wider bus allows for substantial VRAM configurations, with 32GB or even 64GB being likely for a professional-focused card.
A Strategic Pivot to Workstations?
The leak notably states that Intel has not provided test units of this GPU to board partners focused solely on gaming. This aligns with Intel Fellow Tom Petersen’s recent non-committal comments about the chip’s future. The decision could be strategic:
- Testing the Waters: Launching in the professional space first allows Intel to validate the new silicon architecture with a different set of drivers and applications before a potential consumer push.
- Economic Reality: The larger die size likely makes the BMG-G31 expensive to produce. The workstation market, where customers pay premium prices for certified stability and high VRAM, offers a better return on investment than the price-sensitive gaming mid-range.
- Filling a Portfolio Gap: The Arc Pro B70 would sit above the existing Arc Pro B60 (with a BGM-G21 GPU), giving Intel a more competitive offering in the professional visualization market.
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What This Means for Gamers Hoping for an Arc B770
For gamers anticipating a powerful Intel Arc B770 consumer card based on this same silicon, this leak is potentially disappointing but not definitive. It indicates that such a card is not imminent and may not be Intel’s primary focus.
However, it doesn’t completely rule out a future consumer variant. If the BMG-G31 proves successful and production costs become more manageable, a gaming version could follow. For now, Intel’s flagship gaming GPU ambitions appear to be on hold, with its biggest silicon potentially earmarked for creators, engineers, and professionals first.
Source: Jaykihn, videocardz