Between the current “Alchemist” family and the future generation “Battlemage” planned from 2024, Intel will launch an intermediate “Alchemist+” range of mid-range GPUs. As for Battlemage, it will be Intel’s first truly high-end (enthusiastic) generation!
The world of graphics processors (GPUs) is now a three-way dance, and a leak of information has just revealed some of the short-term plans of the “little” challenger who has recently entered the arena: Intel. In a video from the RedGamingTech channel, we see a very authentic looking slide. A little dated – it seems to have been published in 3e quarter 2022 –, the slide shows the current models… as well as the different models and generations to come until 3e quarter 2024!
To understand the graphic, we must remember that like Nvidia, Intel has given names to its generations of graphic architecture. But while the first gives names of scholars (Turing, Ampere, Ada Lovelace), Intel has gone into a universe of heroic-fantasy geeks. The current generation is called Alchemist (alchemist), the second will be Battlemage (combat mage), etc. The first five GPUs in the Alchemist range are known: A770 16GB (ACM SKU1), A770 8GB (ACM SKU2), A750 8GB (ACM SKU3), A380 6GB (ACM SKU6) and A310 4GB (ACM SKU7). And the slide that Intel left behind revealed not only the positioning of seven new references, but also the generations to which they belong.
Alchemist and Alchemist+ for the mid-range, Battlemage for 2024
If Intel stays true to its roadmap, the company should launch two new Alchemist-based SKUs within weeks. Positioned between the current mainstream (A310, A380) and Performance (below the A750) cards, the “ACM SKU4” and “ACM SKU5” will complete the range with a target consumption of 150W.
The surprise comes at 3e quarter then 4e quarter of 2023 where two cards will inaugurate a temporary range called “Alchemist+” the one launched on 3e quarter will replace the entry-level models, while the next should take over from the current A750. A movement that is reminiscent of the “Super” or “Ti” versions of Nvidia, where slightly redesigned and more efficient versions of a few percent (sometimes around tens of percent) are born a year later.
Read also: ARC Alchemist: Intel unveils the structure and technologies of its future graphics cards (August 2021)
Finally, the graph shows mass commercialization in the course of the 2e quarter of 2024 for the first cards of the future “Battlemage” graphic architecture. In addition to the replacement for the A770 cards, we note above all a chip which is placed one or two notches above the current flagships of Intel. This will be the first chip that Intel places in the highest end category of its table – “Enthusiast”. And if it will be above its current cards in terms of performance (but ready to face which competing cards?), it will be at a constant TDP compared to current cards (225W max).
Intel really committed (and on the right track?)
Not all information leaks have the same value… Nor the same origin. Impossible here to know if the graphic was “recovered” without the knowledge of Intel. Or if, from near or far, Intel teams would have voluntarily let it leak. What we can say, however, is that this roadmap serves the interests of the company in one area: to show that it is committed to the long term in the development of consumer GPUs. And silence rumors by band.
Read also: ARC A: Intel finally launches its first gaming GPUs, starting with laptops (March 2022)
Indeed, since the company announced in January 2020 to launch into the graphics segment, Cassandres bury its GPU division every three months. Under reasons of the “inconsistency” of the company”, of the “economic nonsense”, of “the size of the market” or even of the “dominance of Nvidia which leaves only ends to AMD”. Not to mention the (proven) delays in the arrival of the first generation. Delays partly caused by the war in Ukraine – the team that took care of the compatibility of the drivers with the games (in particular the old titles) was based in Russia!
The GPU roadmaps today, as well as that of its processors – in which Intel integrates its graphics know-how – now give a two-year view of the semiconductor giant’s plans. And if we are entitled to wonder about the evolution of the performance of its chips, we must however finally admit that Intel has many long-term plans for its GPUs.
DigitalTrends
