Intel’s “Battlemage” dGPUs are just the beginning, with plans for the next-gen “Celestial & Druid” architectures set to roll out on schedule.
Intel Pushes Forward in the Desktop GPU Arena with Future-Proof Plans
With the anticipated release of Intel’s Battlemage architecture around mid-December, speculation about Intel’s strategy for the desktop GPU market is surging. Given Intel’s previous less-than-stellar performance in the GPU space and ongoing business hurdles, many wonder about their next steps. However, the well-informed leaker, @jaykihn0, assures us that Intel’s ambitious plans for their Celestial and Druid GPUs remain intact.
Last dGPU?
Desktop Celestial and Druid are as planned as ever.
I’m afraid you’ve gotten Intel’s commitment to laptop dGPUs and desktop dGPUs mixed up.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) November 27, 2024
In further comments, the leaker emphasized Intel’s dedication to keeping a steady flow of desktop GPU releases. Simultaneously, they’re ramping up their laptop iGPUs to rival desktop versions. This indicates a strategic move to focus on mobile GPU advancement while still innovating in the dedicated desktop GPU landscape.
Looking ahead, Intel’s Celestial is poised to take over from Battlemage with the new “Xe3” architecture, though detailed specs remain under wraps for now. Similarly, Druid will introduce the “Xe-Next” architecture, aiming to contend with rivals two generations in advance. Clearly, Intel isn’t stepping back from the desktop GPU scene, and there’s much more to anticipate from Team Blue in the coming years.
Currently, all attention is on Intel’s Arc Battlemage SKUs, expected to launch shortly. This release should give us clearer insight into Intel’s strategies for evolving their desktop GPU portfolio.
