Intel’s Arc Celestial “Xe3” and Battlemage “G31” GPUs Unveiled: A Major Push into the Discrete Graphics Market

It’s time to put to rest those whispers about Intel stepping back from the discrete GPU game. Recent evidence points to the contrary, showing promising signs of next-generation Arc Celestial “Xe3” and higher-end Battlemage “G31” chips emerging online.

Intel made waves with its new Battlemage B-Series lineup, unveiling the Arc B580 and Arc B570 graphics cards. Targeting the massive market of gamers without breaking the bank, these GPUs are hitting the shelves in the sub-$250 range. This move pits Intel directly against current and forthcoming offerings from giants like AMD and NVIDIA. It looks like Intel is not only gearing up to compete but also planning to pull a few surprises out of its hat.

A recent tweet by Tomasz Gawroński hints at a significant shipment of Battlemage G31 units from Malaysia, sparking speculation that Intel is preparing a more powerful entry in the B-Series lineup. The manifest at NBD.ltd shows the BMG-G31 SoC cropping up again, suggesting the potential for a more robust B-Series model to make its debut soon.

The Arc B580 and B570 feature the BMG-G21 SoCs, but it’s the G31’s utilization of additional Xe2 cores—possibly found in future SKUs like the B770—that’s grabbing attention. Even Intel’s Tom “TAP” Petersen has teased stronger Arc B-series cards, hinting that we might see this chip powering more potent discrete offerings.

Switching gears to Intel’s Celestial or Xe3 products, the term “Panther Falls” has popped up in several shipping manifests, which is Intel’s internal code for this lineup. All of these are part of the Arc family, aligning with Intel’s confirmation that development on Celestial is wrapped up as they shift their attention to the next big thing, Druid “Xe4.”

Haze’s Twitter updates mention the upcoming reveal of the Arc B-Series GPUs and tease that the C-Series is already in the works. The buzz around Intel’s naming convention—Alchemist as Niagara Falls, Battlemage as Churchill Falls, and Celestial as Panther Falls—adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Among the developments, Tomasz Gawroński unearthed another Arc Celestial discrete GPU, a model purported to have 128 Execution Units (EUs) or 16 Xe3 cores. With Panther Lake CPUs expected to come equipped with Arc Xe3 GPUs containing up to 12 Xe3 cores, this discovery could point to an entry-level discrete solution.

All this excitement confirms Intel is far from pulling back from the Arc project. They’re not only launching their 2nd Gen Arc products but also laying the groundwork for future releases—hinting at even higher-end offerings within the Battlemage family. As Intel gears up for CES 2025, we can anticipate further reveals that solidify their contention in the ever-evolving mainstream gaming scene. Keep an eye out for Intel’s move with the B580 and B570 as they reinforce the company’s presence in the market.

In terms of Intel’s comprehensive GPU lineup, each family iteration from Alchemist to the rumoured “E” series, emphasizes Intel’s commitment to staying relevant in the mainstream and high-end gaming sectors. With technological advancements like transitioning to the 3nm process node and memory upgrades in the pipeline, these GPUs promise exciting times ahead for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike.