The Intel Arc Xe2 Battlemage gaming GPU lineup is expected to launch sometime in Q4 2024 and is now rumored to use TSMC’s N4 process. A new report from DigiTimes states that Intel has opted for the N4 node with its flagship GPU. While the first generation of Intel Arc dGPUs primarily targeted the budget-friendly graphics card segment the Intel Arc Xe2 Battlemage discreet graphics card series has long been rumored to compete favorably with current-gen top-tier offerings from AMD and NVIDIA.
The N4 node should provide improvements with its increased transistor count and lower power needs compared to that of the N6 node used with current Intel Arc GPUs. The Alchemist GPUs debuted with the N6 node and as driver support matured it regularly saw significant performance increases, it was largely constrained by its GPU limitations. It has been reported that N4 will allow Intel to double its Xe cores for the flagship offering further increasing its performance potential. According to rumors, Battlemage could potentially launch before Black Friday 2024.
From Alchemist to Celestial
Battlemage has already begun to appear on Intel’s Lunar Lake package, which we have details from Computex 2024 here. Even though at least one Battlemage dGPU is said to use TSMC’s N4 process, TechPowerUp reports that Intel’s Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake processor utilizes TSMC’s N3 process. It’s still too early to tell, but this more advanced process might be used for Battlemage’s successor, the Intel Arc Celestial series.
Regardless, Q4 2024, and possibly Q1 2025, is looking to be an exciting time for new graphics card launches as Intel and NVIDIA are expected to reveal their new lineups in that timeframe. If Battlemage is indeed as powerful as being hinted at, then AMD could find itself in a tough fight for the mid-to-high-end segment with its RNDA 4 GPU. This is due to one rumor claiming Team Red is not planning to aim too high with its next-gen which, if true, would place it in near direct competition with Battlemage.
Discussion (4 replies)
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I'm still a bit surprised with the Xe lineup. Gotta admit I'm shocked Intel is still supporting it.
Don't get me wrong - I'm pleasantly surprised in the performance and price, and I'm very glad it's on the market. It just usually isn't Intel's MO to run with a high volume / low margin strategy, and they haven't exactly delivered on high volume to date.
So I get pushing Gen 1 out, and to some extent, Gen 2 when it arrives - the R&D is done - see if you can get some return on your investment. They must have seen enough with Gen 1 to warrant the production of Gen 2, which I'm very glad of. I'm not expecting 4090-killers or anything, but maintaining acceptable sub-$300 gaming GPUs is a great thing.
The trick is keeping purchases from turning into regrets. It's one thing to purchase a budget card, and other to regret that purchase if it doesn't meet expectations. If Intel can provide a solid value for a low cost, then good for them and their niche market. Are they targeting average budget business workstations that don't require a lot of, but occasionally some, graphics muscle (e.g., MS Office with light CAD)?
Their cards are already a solid value for low cost. The 770 is beating cards that cost $100 more. Took them a bit to get the drivers right, and they get better all the time.
Really interested to what the 980 Battlemage can do. If they can keep it $400 or less for 4070 levels of performance it'll be great for a lot of people.